How to Successfully Sell on Instagram: Establish an Instagram Shop in 15 Minutes or Less

The Importance of Instagram Shopping for Your E-commerce Business

Introduction: The Growing Trend of Instagram Shopping

In today's digital age, social media platforms have become a vital part of business strategies. Among these platforms, Instagram has emerged as a powerhouse for e-commerce. With over 130 million people tapping on Instagram shopping posts every month, it's evident that being on Instagram is non-negotiable for any e-commerce business. In this article, we will dive deep into the world of Instagram shopping and explore how you can leverage this platform to boost sales for your business.

About the Author: Ben Mellor – Creative Strategist and Social Media Expert

Before we proceed, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Ben Mellor, a creative strategist and social media expert. If you're new to this channel or new to Shopify, welcome! Here, we provide entrepreneurs with the knowledge they need to start, run, or grow a successful online business. If you're an online entrepreneur, make sure to hit that subscribe button. Whether you want to expand your e-commerce business, be your own boss, or achieve financial freedom, you're in the right place. Now, let's dive into the world of Instagram shopping.

Understanding Instagram Shopping: What is it?

Instagram shopping involves synchronizing the products you have on your Shopify store with your Instagram account. This allows you to create shoppable posts, transforming your regular posts and stories into opportunities for customers to view and purchase your products directly on Instagram. By using product tags, customers can identify the products featured in a picture, just like tagging a friend. This adds a shopping bag icon to your image. When users tap the photo, they can see the prices of the featured products and tap the product labels to view the product pages. Moreover, customers can explore your entire catalog from your profile, offering a seamless shopping experience that closely resembles browsing your Shopify store. Once customers find a product they like, they are redirected to your Shopify store to complete their purchase. Additionally, you can use Shopify to create, track, and manage your ad campaigns and orders, all in one centralized place. This allows you to analyze the traffic and sales generated from Instagram, enabling you to expand your audience through Instagram and Facebook ads.

The Benefits of Building an Instagram Shop: Making Shopping Easier for Customers

Before we dive into the tutorial, let's explore the key benefits of building an Instagram shop. One of the most significant benefits is that it makes shopping easier for your customers. Instead of forcing them to leave Instagram and visit your website, you bring your products to them directly on the platform where they spend their time. By providing a seamless shopping experience, you increase the chances of conversions and sales. Sherry Lott, founder and CEO of kids clothing brand Spearmint Love, experienced a 25% increase in traffic and an 8% increase in revenue attributable to shopping on Instagram. This success story highlights the potential of Instagram shopping to drive growth for your business.

Tutorial: Setting Up Your Instagram Shop

Without further ado, let's get into the actual tutorial for setting up your Instagram shop. We will walk you through the necessary steps to ensure a smooth setup process.

Step 1: Checking Eligibility

Before diving into the setup process, it's important to confirm that you are eligible to create a shop and use the Instagram shopping feature. Currently, you can only sell physical goods, and your business must be located in a country that supports Instagram shopping. Ensure that you have the latest version of Instagram installed on your device, as older versions may not support the feature.

Step 2: Shopify Store Setup

Assuming you already have a Shopify store set up, we will focus on syncing your products to your Instagram shop. If you don't have a Shopify store set up yet, don't worry! Shopify offers a free 14-day trial with no credit card required. You can find the link in the description box to get started.

Step 3: Setting Up Facebook Business Manager and Page

To connect your Instagram shop with your Shopify store, you need to have a Facebook Business Manager and a Facebook business page. If you haven't set up these accounts, don't worry, it's simple. Visit business.facebook.com to create a Facebook Business Manager account. We have provided a link in the description box for a step-by-step guide on setting up the accounts. Once you have your Facebook Business Manager set up, create a Facebook business page associated with it.

Step 4: Converting Your Instagram Profile to a Professional Account

To access advanced business tools on Instagram, such as running ads, you need to convert your Instagram profile to a professional account. This process only takes a few seconds. Open the profile associated with your Instagram app and tap the hamburger icon (yes, it's called a hamburger icon). Then tap “Settings” and navigate to the “Account” section. From there, switch to a professional account. Select a category for your business and confirm your contact details. Next, connect your Facebook business page to your Instagram account by going to “Settings,” then “Account,” and finally “Linked Accounts.” Link your Facebook page associated with your business manager.

Step 5: Syncing Your E-commerce Website to Your Instagram Shop

If you are using Shopify, syncing your entire product catalog to your Instagram shop is easy. It eliminates the need for manual product additions and automatically synchronizes your inventory. In your Shopify dashboard, navigate to Sales Channels and click the plus icon, then select “Facebook.” Head to the product manager and choose the products you want to make available on Instagram. Click “Make Products Available” from the drop-down menu and select Instagram.

Step 6: Await Approval

After completing the setup steps, your account needs to be approved by Instagram. This process may take a few days, but once approved, you will receive a notification indicating that you can start tagging your products on Instagram. When you receive this notification, confirm the Facebook shop to connect with your Instagram profile. Tap “Get Started” on the notification or access Instagram's business settings and tap “Shopping.” Choose the Facebook shop you want to link with your Instagram profile.

Conclusion: Boost Your Sales with Instagram Shopping

Congratulations! Your products are now synced across Instagram, Facebook shops, and your Shopify store. With your Instagram shop fully set up, you can promote sales and attract new customers effortlessly. If you're interested in discovering more ways to make money on Instagram, register using the link provided in the description box. The free webinar will guide you through proven methods for growing your Instagram following and monetizing your account, even with a thousand followers. In just 45 minutes, you'll learn strategies for increasing engagement, driving traffic, and boosting sales through Instagram. If you found this video helpful, please give it a thumbs up and leave any questions or comments in the comment section below. Thank you for watching, and if you haven't already, make sure to subscribe to our channel for more valuable content on starting, running, and growing your online business. See you in the next one! Bye.

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**Frequently Asked Questions:**

**1. What is Instagram shopping?**
– Instagram shopping is a feature that allows businesses to sync their products from Shopify to their Instagram account. This feature enables businesses to create shoppable posts and provides customers with the ability to view and purchase products directly on Instagram.

**2. How can Instagram shopping benefit my business?**
– Instagram shopping makes shopping easier for customers by bringing your products to them on a platform they already use. This convenience can lead to increased conversions, sales, and revenue. According to founder and CEO of Spearmint Love, using Instagram shopping resulted in a 25% increase in traffic and an 8% increase in revenue for their business.

**3. What requirements do I need to meet to use Instagram shopping?**
– To use Instagram shopping, you need to be selling physical goods, have a business located in a country that supports Instagram shopping, and have the latest version of Instagram installed. Additionally, you need to have a Facebook business manager and a Facebook business page set up.

**4. How do I set up an Instagram shop?**
– First, ensure you meet the requirements mentioned above. Then, convert your Instagram profile to a professional account and connect your Facebook business page to your Instagram account. Next, sync your e-commerce website (such as Shopify) to your Instagram shop by following the instructions provided by your e-commerce platform. Finally, wait for your account to be approved by Instagram before you can start tagging your products.

**5. How can I learn more about making money on Instagram?**
– You can register for a free webinar that will guide you through strategies for growing your Instagram following and monetizing your account. The webinar will show you methods for gaining more engaged followers and using Instagram to drive traffic and sales to your store, even with a small following. The link to the webinar is provided in the video description.