How to Create a Shop on Instagram
In the not-so-distant past, setting up shop and selling products on Instagram was far from a smooth process for businesses. If you wanted to become an Instagram influencer or explore different ways to make some additional income, the platform was – and still is - a great option. But from the businesses' perspective, it lacked direct shopping features, and businesses had to grapple with creative workarounds. There was no ability to tag products or facilitate purchases within the app, so sellers resorted to sharing product links in bios or captions. However, this meant disrupting the user experience, diverting potential customers to external websites for transactions, introducing friction, and significantly hindering conversion rates.
Moreover, the lack of direct product tagging and limited clickable links presented obstacles for businesses looking to effectively showcase their range of products. The frustratingly complex purchasing journey, coupled with minimal insights into user behavior, made it challenging to optimize marketing strategies. The scene was set for transformation, and that's exactly what happened (finally, can we add) with the introduction of Instagram Shop.
In this blog post, you'll find out how to create a shop on Instagram. We'll guide you through the entire process, and we'll give you some additional tips on how to get the most out of this amazing feature!
Table of Contents
What is Instagram Shop?
Instagram Shop, introduced in July 2020, is an e-commerce feature that revolutionized how businesses interact with their customers on the Instagram platform. This integrated shopping experience transformed Instagram from a social networking platform to a thriving marketplace.
With the introduction of Instagram Shop, businesses gained the ability to showcase their products directly on their profiles and through curated collections. In this online store, they could tag products in posts, stories, and the Explore section, allowing users to seamlessly browse and purchase without leaving the app.
Moreover, a dedicated Shop tab was introduced, enhancing product discoverability and making it easier for users to explore and shop for items they're interested in. Additionally, the streamlined checkout process enabled users to purchase products within Instagram, offering a convenient and efficient shopping experience. These changes marked a significant shift, allowing businesses to expand their reach and drive sales while providing users with a seamless shopping journey.
Eligibility criteria for Instagram Shop
Before we dive into how to create a shop on Instagram, you have to check out if you're eligible for it.
- Location: Unfortunately, Instagram Shop isn't available for all the countries. Click here and check out the list!
- Compliance with Instagram Commerce Policies and Community Guidelines.
- You have to sell physical goods (which means that, for example, through Instagram Shop you can't sell online courses).
- You have an online store.
How to create a Shop on Instagram?
Once you have ensured eligibility, you can now create a shop on Instagram. In this part of our How to Create a Shop on Instagram, we'll guide you through the entire process, step by step.
- Set up a business account: if not already done, create a business account on Instagram. Alternatively, you can simply convert your existing personal account into a business account. You can do it in settings, under the Account type and tools.
- Complete your profile: ensure your Instagram business profile is complete and up-to-date (take care of your profile picture, bio, contact information, and website link).
- Set up Instagram Shop with the Commerce Manager: The Commerce Manager is a vital tool for setting up and managing your Instagram Shop. Within Commerce Manager you can create a product catalog, and then connect it to your Instagram account. This will enable you to use the catalog to tag products in your IG posts and stories.
- Once you submit a request for Instagram Shop, you'll have to wait a bit until Meta notifies you of the approval.
Use the Shop tab: Navigate to your profile and tap on the Shop tab to create an attractive storefront. Customize your shop by curating collections and featuring specific products, allowing users to browse and make direct purchases within this dedicated section.
Management and optimization: For effective management and optimization, keep your product catalog up to date by regularly adding new products or modifying existing ones using the Commerce Manager. Monitor the performance of your product listings and overall shop using Instagram Insights and the Commerce Manager tool. Leverage these insights to optimize your product listings, improving visibility and ultimately driving better sales for your business.
How to make the most out of an Instagram Shop?
Now that we have explained how to create an Instagram Shop, it's time that we give you some tips and tricks so you can get the most out of it.
If you want to maximize your Instagram Shop earnings, you should exploit the option of tagging products in posts. When we say posts, that entails a single image, carousel, and video. In a regular photo, you can tag up to 5 products, while in a carousel, you can tag up to 20 products.
We'd also like to mention that there's also a tagging feature available in videos. Besides in Posts, you can also tag products in Stories. Tags within IG Stories can create a sense of urgency, meaning that they can drive immediate action from users.
When users click on a tag, they get a pop-up window or overlay appears on the screen, with all the details about the product. These information include product name, price, description, variations (size, colors, etc.)... There's also a call-to-action button inviting them to purchase, either on the merchant's website or on Instagram.
As for the checkout on Instagram, it's really great because it additionally diminishes the friction. It enables users to finish the entire process, from inspiration to purchase, while browsing through the IG feed. To enable checkout on Facebook and Instagram, businesses need to meet specific requirements. This feature is currently available only for businesses in the US. These businesses have a US bank account, a business address in the US, and business and tax-related information.
This includes the business category and type, state and federal tax IDs, a representative's identity details, and shipping options, among other specifics. For checkout on Facebook, managing page and catalog permissions is crucial, while for Instagram, integrating the business account into Business Manager and having a catalog or commerce account are essential steps. These prerequisites ensure a seamless and compliant setup, facilitating a streamlined shopping experience for users on both platforms.
Conclusion
Instagram Shop changed the game for online sellers. It lets businesses easily showcase and sell their products within the app. No more complicated steps or bothering users. It makes shopping on Instagram smooth and straightforward, helping businesses succeed in the online world.
This shift shows how technology keeps making things better, giving businesses more chances to grow and making shopping on Instagram a lot more enjoyable. With Instagram Shop you have a powerful tool you can use to increase your overall sales through social media. We hope this guide has been helpful in understanding how to set up your shop on Instagram and utilize its immense potential for your business.