Ever wondered why Instagram is the ultimate go-to for Millennials and Gen Z? Well, it keeps getting better and better with amazing updates and new features to keep everyone hooked! In 2019, it dropped a game-changer with the Instagram shop feature. Let’s just say it made some serious waves as it was similar to a virtual shopping mall!
With Instagram shoppable posts, you can showcase all your awesome products in a cool catalog that’s easy to browse. Your followers can learn about the stuff they like without leaving the app!
It’s like window shopping but on your phone. Users can either buy right there on Instagram or hop over to your online store to seal the deal. This feature makes shopping social and super simple!
Benefits of Instagram shopping feature
1) Visual marketing
The Instagram shopping feature turns your products into visual treats that help you catch the eyes of your followers. Instead of just talking about your products, you get to visually market them in all its glory through photos and videos.
It’s like having a virtual storefront right on your Instagram profile, where people can view products by scrolling through your visually appealing posts. PosterMyWall’s product showcase templates help you create stunning product displays effortlessly. You can browse through a huge library of templates and select to customize any you like!
2) Increased visibility
When you use the Shopping feature, your products can appear in dedicated shopping tabs or explore sections on Instagram. This means that users who might not have seen your posts in their regular feed now have a chance to discover your products while specifically browsing for shopping inspiration.
Additionally, Instagram’s algorithm may showcase your shoppable posts to a wider audience based on users’ interests, engagement patterns, and shopping behaviors. It’s like giving your products a VIP pass to be seen by more eyes across the platform.
You can also team up with Instagram influencers and ask them to give you a shout-out to increase your reach. So, more eyes on your products, more appreciation, and maybe more shoppers coming your way!
3) Direct sales channel
Ever wished people could buy your stuff right where they see it? Instagram Shopping makes that wish come true!
Imagine you’re a small business and you post a pic of your amazing product. With Instagram Shopping, you can tag that product in your post, and add a cool caption. Now, when someone sees your post and thinks, “Wow, I need that in my life,” they can tap on the tagged product and see more details without leaving Instagram!
4) Easy checkout process
Instagram shoppable posts make buying stuff as easy as pie. No jumping from app to app. Your customers can check out and pay right there on Instagram.
When your followers spot something they like in your shoppable post, they can simply tap on the product to get more details. Within the same Instagram interface, there’s an option to “Checkout on Instagram.” If they choose this option, they can enter their payment details right there, making the entire transaction quick and seamless.
5) Insightful analytics
Ever wondered how it feels like having a peek into what people love the most about your products? Instagram Shopping gives you that peek!
You can peek into who’s loving your products, which ones are the real showstoppers, and even see which posts get the most love. It’s like a crystal ball that shows you what’s working and what can be even better. These analytics let you fine-tune your strategy, knowing exactly what your customers are vibing with.
6) Connects social and e-commerce
Imagine Instagram being more than simply a platform for exchanging photos; picture it serving as a link between social hangouts and shopping sprees! That’s precisely how Instagram shopping combines the excitement of online shopping with the social feel.
Your followers can now easily browse through your products rather than just scrolling through pictures and videos. It’s similar to converting Instagram into a small-scale shopping center where users can browse and purchase items that strike their eye in addition to enjoying your content.
How to set up Instagram shop
1) Create a business or creator account
Change your personal Instagram account to a Business or Creator account to begin your Instagram shopping adventure. This enables you to sell on Instagram by adding features like your contact details, seeing analytics about your followers and posts, and promoting posts directly from the Instagram app. You can do this under your account settings.
2) Connect to a Facebook business page
Connect your account to your Facebook business page and let your Instagram and Facebook work hand in hand. This will ensure your shop runs like a well-oiled machine. Plus, the bonus is you get to wave hello to a larger audience, reaching more people on both Instagram and Facebook.
3) Set up the shop details
When setting up your shop, you’re in control of how it looks and operates. Here’s the lowdown: add all your products, keep tabs on orders, and customize your shop to reflect your brand.
Now, when it comes to choosing a checkout method, think about where you want your customers to complete their purchases. If you’re in the US, using Checkout on Instagram is a smart move as it lets people buy your products right there on the app.
Don’t forget to connect your shop to your Instagram business account. If you’ve got a Facebook Page, check the box to spread the shopping joy on both Facebook and Instagram.
4) Upload your product catalog
Now, it’s time for the exciting part; uploading all your fantastic products! You’ve got a couple of cool options to choose from.
You can go the hands-on route by adding each product manually. Alternatively, if you’re all about efficiency, you can integrate a pre-existing product database from a certified eCommerce platform, such as Shopify.
5) Submit for review
Before your shop goes live, Instagram wants to make sure everything looks good. So, you submit your shop for a quick review. Once you get the green light, you can open your shop doors to the world!
6) Start creating Instagram shoppable posts
Once Instagram gives you the green light for shopping, it’s time to make your Instagram posts shoppable. Just open up your Instagram app, go to Get Started > Business Settings > Shopping. Then, pick your Facebook catalog and hit Done.
When you’re ready to add tags to a post, whether it’s a new one or something you’ve already shared, just click on the image where you want the tag. Type in the product name like you’re tagging a friend, and you’re good to go!
You can use retail social media post templates from PosterMyWall to create Instagram shoppable posts. It adds convenience by saving you time. You can choose from a variety of templates and customize them with an easy drag-and-drop editor!
Wrapping up
Everyone expects their online shopping to be a breeze these days. Instagram shopping feature makes it possible by bringing the store directly to users, so they don’t have to go hunting for it. You can boost sales, strengthen brand-user interactions, and increase user engagement with the help of this awesome tool. Is there a better deal out there?
Use Instagram post templates from PosterMyWall to streamline the entire process. Pick a template that catches your eye and tweak it to suit your needs. You can save it, and then publish it directly on social media or schedule for later! It’s as straightforward as that!
Qasim is a senior editor at PosterMyWall. Qasim is a reader and writer during and after work, and likes to explore a wide range of topics and niches. Outside of work, he likes to meditate, listen to good music and journal.
