How to Sell on Instagram with Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide for Ecommerce Brands

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why Sell on Instagram?
3. Setting Up Instagram Shopping with Shopify
4. Optimizing Your Instagram Strategy
5. Advanced Strategies for Selling on Instagram
6. Conclusion
7. FAQ

Introduction

Did you know that over 80% of Instagram users utilize the platform to discover new products? With more than two billion active users spending an average of 16 hours a month on the app, the potential for ecommerce brands to tap into this market is immense. As ambitious ecommerce leaders, we must recognize the growing trend of social commerce and the opportunities it presents for driving sales and enhancing brand presence.

In this blog post, we will explore how to sell on Instagram with Shopify effectively. By the end, you will understand the steps required to set up Instagram Shopping, optimize your storefront, and implement strategies that can significantly boost your sales. We will cover everything from creating an Instagram business account to advanced promotional tactics that leverage the unique capabilities of the platform.

So, let’s dive in and discover how integrating Shopify with Instagram can elevate your ecommerce game.

Why Sell on Instagram?

Expanding Your Reach to a Massive Audience

Instagram has evolved into a vital platform for ecommerce, merging social media engagement with shopping capabilities. The fact that 90% of users follow at least one business on the platform indicates a lucrative opportunity for brands to connect with potential customers. By selling on Instagram, we can leverage this vast audience to increase brand visibility and drive traffic to our Shopify stores.

Enhanced Shopping Experience

With Instagram Shopping, users can browse and purchase products without ever leaving the app. This seamless experience reduces friction in the buying process, enhancing customer satisfaction and ultimately leading to higher conversion rates. By utilizing Shopify's integration, we can create a shoppable feed that allows users to view products directly from our posts, Stories, and even Reels.

Visual Appeal and Engagement

Instagram is a highly visual platform where aesthetics matter. Brands that effectively use stunning images and engaging videos can capture attention and inspire purchases. By showcasing our products in a visually appealing manner, we can not only attract new customers but also cultivate a loyal following that engages with our content.

Setting Up Instagram Shopping with Shopify

To successfully sell on Instagram, we need to follow a structured process. Here’s how we can set up Instagram Shopping using Shopify step by step:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Before diving into the setup, it’s crucial to ensure that our products comply with Instagram’s commerce policies. We also need to ensure that our business is located in a region where Instagram Shopping is supported.

Step 2: Create an Instagram Business Account

If we don’t already have a business account, we’ll need to create one. An Instagram business profile provides access to analytics and additional features that are essential for ecommerce. To switch to a business account, we can follow these steps:

1. Go to our profile and click on the three lines in the top right corner.
2. Select Settings.
3. Tap Account, then choose Switch to Professional Account.
4. Select Business and follow the prompts to complete the setup.

Step 3: Connect Your Facebook Page

To enable Instagram Shopping, we need to connect our Instagram account to a Facebook Page. This integration allows us to manage our product catalog effectively. Here's how:

1. Go to the Facebook Page linked to our business.
2. Click on Settings in the top right corner.
3. In the left column, select Instagram.
4. Click Connect Account and follow the prompts to link our Instagram account.

Step 4: Add the Facebook Sales Channel in Shopify

To sync our product catalog with Instagram, we must add the Facebook sales channel to our Shopify store. Here’s how:

1. From the Shopify admin, go to Sales channels and select the plus (+) icon.
2. Choose Facebook and click Add channel.
3. Follow the prompts to set up the Facebook channel, ensuring to allow necessary permissions.

Step 5: Upload Your Products

Once our Facebook sales channel is set up, we can upload our product catalog. Shopify allows us to do this seamlessly:

1. In the Shopify admin, go to the Facebook sales channel.
2. Click on Product Catalog and select the products we want to sync with Instagram.
3. Ensure that all products comply with Instagram’s policies before syncing.

Step 6: Enable Shopping Features

After syncing our products, we can enable shopping features on Instagram:

1. Open the Instagram app and go to our business profile.
2. Tap Settings, then Business, and select Shopping.
3. Follow the prompts to choose our product catalog.

Step 7: Tag Products in Posts, Stories, and Reels

Now that our Instagram Shopping is set up, we can start tagging products in our posts and Stories. This is how customers can view and purchase products directly from our content. When creating a new post or Story:

1. Tap Tag Products.
2. Select the products from our catalog that we want to tag.
3. Share the post or Story to make it shoppable.

Step 8: Promote Your Instagram Shop

To drive traffic to our Instagram shop, we can utilize various promotional strategies, which we will discuss in detail in the following sections.

Optimizing Your Instagram Strategy

Once our Instagram Shopping is set up, the next step is to optimize our strategy to maximize sales. Here are several key strategies to consider:

1. Leverage High-Quality Visuals

The foundation of Instagram is visual content. We should invest in high-quality images and videos that showcase our products in action. Using lifestyle shots, behind-the-scenes content, and user-generated content can help create a relatable and authentic brand image.

2. Engage with Your Audience

Building a community around our brand is essential for long-term success. We should actively engage with our audience by responding to comments, hosting Q&A sessions, and encouraging user-generated content. This interaction helps in building trust and loyalty among our customer base.

3. Utilize Instagram Stories and Reels

Stories and Reels are powerful tools for driving engagement. We can use Stories to showcase new arrivals, run flash sales, or provide exclusive sneak peeks. Reels, on the other hand, allow us to create entertaining short videos that can go viral, expanding our reach even further.

4. Implement Influencer Collaborations

Partnering with influencers can help us tap into their established audiences. Micro-influencers, in particular, can be highly effective due to their engaged follower base. We can consider using Shopify Collabs to manage influencer partnerships and track performance directly from our Shopify dashboard.

5. Run Targeted Ads

Instagram ads allow us to reach potential customers who may not already follow us. By creating shoppable ads that highlight our products, we can drive traffic to our Instagram shop or directly to our Shopify store. Utilizing Instagram's robust targeting options ensures we reach the right audience.

6. Analyze Performance Metrics

To understand what’s working and what’s not, it’s crucial to keep an eye on our performance metrics. Instagram Insights provides valuable data on post engagement, audience demographics, and more. Using this data, we can refine our strategy and focus on what resonates with our audience.

Advanced Strategies for Selling on Instagram

Once we have the basics down, it’s time to consider advanced strategies that can further enhance our sales efforts on Instagram:

1. Curate User-Generated Content

Encouraging customers to share their experiences with our products can create powerful social proof. We can run contests or campaigns that encourage customers to post photos of themselves using our products, tagging our account. This not only enriches our content but also fosters a sense of community.

2. Create Limited-Time Offers

Creating a sense of urgency can motivate potential customers to make purchases. We can use Stories to promote limited-time offers or flash sales, encouraging followers to act quickly. Highlighting countdowns or exclusive discounts can effectively drive conversions.

3. Optimize Hashtag Usage

Using relevant hashtags can significantly increase the discoverability of our posts. We should research popular hashtags in our niche and create a mix of broad and niche-specific hashtags to maximize reach. Using branded hashtags can also help in consolidating user-generated content.

4. Utilize the Instagram Shop Tab

The Instagram Shop tab allows users to browse products directly from our profile. We should ensure that our shop is well-organized, featuring our best-selling products prominently. Creating collections based on themes or seasonal trends can enhance the shopping experience.

5. Focus on Mobile Optimization

Since a majority of Instagram users shop via mobile devices, ensuring that our Shopify store is mobile-friendly is essential. We should utilize responsive design and ensure that our checkout process is seamless on mobile devices to reduce cart abandonment rates.

Conclusion

Selling on Instagram with Shopify opens up a world of possibilities for ecommerce brands. By following the steps outlined in this guide, we can set up Instagram Shopping, engage with our audience, and implement strategies that drive sales effectively. As we continue to explore the intersection of social media and ecommerce, we must remain adaptable and innovative in our approaches.

Now that we’ve covered how to sell on Instagram with Shopify, we invite you to explore the PowerCommerce eStore Suite. Our comprehensive solutions are designed to empower your ecommerce brand, providing everything from storefront optimization to advanced analytics, ensuring you stay ahead in the competitive landscape.

FAQ

What types of products can I sell on Instagram?
You can sell a variety of products on Instagram, including fashion, beauty items, home décor, and digital products. The key is that they have strong visual appeal and resonate with your target audience.

Do I need a Shopify store to sell on Instagram?
While it’s possible to sell on Instagram without a Shopify store, having one greatly simplifies the process. Shopify allows you to manage your product catalog effectively and integrate seamlessly with Instagram.

How do I get approved for selling on Instagram?
To get approved, you need to have a business account, comply with Instagram's commerce policies, and connect your Instagram account to a Facebook Page. Once that’s done, you can apply for Instagram Shopping in your account settings.

Can I sell directly on Instagram?
Yes, with Instagram Shopping, you can tag products in your posts, Stories, and Reels, allowing customers to purchase directly within the app.

What are the fees associated with selling on Instagram?
Instagram charges a processing fee for transactions made through its platform. However, if you’re using Shopify, you will primarily pay Shopify’s standard payment processing fees.

By leveraging the power of Instagram and Shopify, we can create a thriving online business that not only meets but exceeds customer expectations. Happy selling!