Launched in 2018 in Brazil, Instagram Shopping or Insta Shopping is an Instagram/Facebook tool that allows retailers and wholesalers to sell products from their business profiles on the aforementioned social photo network more conveniently.
This tool basically works as follows: you tag the products in your catalog in your timeline and Insta Stories posts, which are displayed with a visual indication and a link that redirects consumers to your store's sales pages. virtual. That way, consumers are in front of the goal, one step away from conversion, which is great for you.
By activating Instagram Shopping, you can also configure three features within the social network:
- Shop: where people can search for your products and thus get to know your catalogue;
- collections: feature that allows you to group your products by themes or categories;
- product pages: where you can enter data for each product and thus generate more purchases.
Namely, you can enable checkout directly on Insta. That way, people can buy without leaving the app. This option, however, is currently only available for certain eligible US business accounts,
Anyway, as this tool is very cool, I decided to teach you how to use it for your e-commerce. Keep reading and find out!
As soon as you can, also click on “ How to advertise on Instagram ” and learn how to drive traffic from that social network to your e-commerce website!
HOW TO ACTIVATE INSTAGRAM SHOPPING IN 8 STEPS
To activate Insta Shopping follow these 8 steps:
Checking qualification
The first step to activating Instagram Shopping is to determine if your business has the necessary attributes. Start this process by verifying if your company has qualified products and if it operates in an available market . Additionally, analyze whether your e-commerce business complies with Facebook's commercial policies and Seller Agreement.
Creating a business account
To activate Instagram Shopping you need to convert your Instagram profile into a business or creator account. Start this by logging into Insta and clicking on the “Settings” button located in the top right menu. Sequentially press “Account” and “Switch to business account”. Now, associate your business account with your company's Facebook page (see next topic). Add your business information and tap “Finish”.
Connecting with Facebook
Connecting your Insta business account with the fanpage of the e-commerce company you are an admin on Facebook is just as easy. Go to and select “Edit Profile” on Instagram. Then, under “Public Business Information” select “Page”. Soon after, choose the fanpage you want to connect. If you don't have a fanpage yet, then press “Create a new Facebook page” and create one.
Creating a product catalog
Alright, it's time to upload your product catalog to Insta Shopping. There are basically two ways to do this. The first is via Facebook Business . Access the platform and then, in the upper right sidebar menu, click on "Catalog Manager". Press "Create catalog" and follow the instructions. The other way is via integration with certified Facebook partners such as Shopify and BigCommerce.
Analyzing the account
The next step to enable Instagram Shopping is to submit your account for verification. To do this click on the “Settings” button located inside the upper right menu. Soon after, register for the “Purchasing” feature. Follow the steps until you submit your account for review. The review process can take several days. To check the analysis status, click on “Purchases” and “Settings”.
Activating the “Purchases” feature
Once your account is approved you will be able to activate the “Purchases” feature. Press “Settings”, “Companies” and “Purchases”. Click on “Product Catalog” and then on “Finish”. If the “Purchases” option is still not showing in that menu, then it means that your account has not yet been approved on Insta Shopping. Wait a few more days for Instagram to complete its process and try again.
Highlighting products in Instagram posts
If the “Shopping” feature is enabled, then click “Add Photo” to include a photo of one of your products. Put a caption. Press “Mark products”, tap the image, search for the equivalent product in your catalog, select and click “Finish”. Finally, tap on “Share”. Now when customers view this image, they will have access to the redirect link to the product sales page in your online store.
Highlighting products in Instagram Stories
So far everything is perfect. Let's put the final touch on the process now by teaching you how to activate your products in Instagram Stories. Start by choosing a photo for your story. Then click on the sticker icon just above. Afterwards, choose the product sticker and also the equivalent product in your catalogue. Choose the location where the sticker will be displayed. Make final color adjustments and share.
Yes! You did it! Right now I'm redirecting the round of applause that my team at the e-commerce agency Agência e-Plus just gave you.
Repeat the process for the next images and stickers. Tag your products and drive more and more consumers straight from Instagram to your e-commerce sales pages. Good sales!
WHY ACTIVATE INSTAGRAM SHOPPING?
There are some good advantages of activating Insta Shopping and thus starting to sell from the largest social photo network in the world. Soon after, I present some numbers that will certainly make you think about at least testing this sales tool. Check out!
Large and active market:
- 44% of Instagram's roughly 1,4 billion users use this platform weekly to interact with Insta Shopping's shopping tags and store features, according to Earthweb blog data.
Ease to grow your community:
- 90% of Instagram users follow at least one business, as per Instagram Business data. Therefore, having a business account on this social network and activating Insta Shopping can help you increase your audience.
Get more brand recognition:
- 50% of people use Insta to discover new brands, products or services, as per the Instagram Business. In addition, 67% say the network helps promote meaningful interactions with brands. Thus, activating Insta and Insta Shopping you increase recognition.
More chances for small and medium businesses:
- 84% of people who use Instagram tend to buy from small businesses, according to Information from the Trade in Action blog. Therefore, more than ever, small and medium-sized companies should join Insgram and Insta Shopping.
More purchasing decisions:
- 72% of users report making purchase decisions based on something they've seen on Instagram, as per Retail Touch Points blog data. In this way, the use of this social network can positively impact your online sales.
More influence on consumers:
- 51% is how much Instagram influences consumers in their shopping habits, according to data from the aforementioned blog Retail Touch Points compared to Snapchat (1%), Twitter (3%), Pinterest (22%) and Facebook (23%).
So activate Instagram Shopping! Run your tests for a while. Check if adding more of this sales channel to your business can help you generate more sales in other channels such as your physical stores and online store, for example.
The fact is that Instagram Shopping, as you can see throughout this post, is an incredible tool that, if used correctly, has the potential to boost sales, brand recognition, and increase your customer base. Therefore, use it if you can, and count on the e-Plus Agency team to help you in this process, if needed!
Access and read our article " How to gain followers on Instagram " as well. Discover 10 techniques to increase your qualified audience for purchases in your online store using the photo-sharing social network.
