With over 1.4 billion users actively using the app, Instagram has grown from a photo-sharing social platform to a global marketing powerhouse. Instagram’s massive and diverse user base has created a highly effective channel for businesses to reach their target audience and have valuable engagements. With the boom in eCommerce and the effects of the COVID-19 coming into play, the rise of this platform is not stopping anytime soon.
Instagram Shopping is the platform’s new feature that aims to accommodate the shift in business models and consumer habits. Whether you’re an established business or a small retail brand owner, setting up an Instagram shop is a great way to improve brand awareness and drive sales.
What is Instagram Marketing?
Instagram marketing refers to promoting products and services on the Instagram mobile app and website. It involves creating shareable content such as feed posts, reels, and stories to improve brand recall and increase brand visibility. This approach enables businesses to build their brand story, create a digital storefront, and drive product sales—all in one app.
Instagram launched new in-app features to help boost brand awareness: the View Shop button and Instagram Shop tab. A View Shop button will appear on the profile page of every business account. This feature allows brands to share their curated catalog of goods and accept customer transactions. Meanwhile, the Instagram Shop tab enables users to browse and shop through various product posts.
How to Setup an Instagram Shop
Setting up a shop on Instagram and maximizing its' features like in-app browsers simplify the customer's online shopping experience. Instagram shops allow customers to browse your line of products, check prices, then proceed to payment with just a few taps. Here are the steps on how to set up an Instagram shop:
- Switch to or create a business account
If you don't have a business account on Instagram yet, converting your current profile is necessary. Aside from setting up an Instagram shop, your business account helps you access in-depth shop insights, maximize the platform's analytics tools, and maintain branding consistency with scheduled posts.
- Link to your Facebook account
Linking your business's Facebook profile will grant you access to various tools and help you organize and manage your posts, which will greatly help if you’re planning to cross-share on both platforms.
For example, you'll be able to streamline and manage your Instagram and Facebook messages in a unified inbox. You can also maximize customer interactions with cross-app tools like appointment booking buttons and donation stickers.
- Upload your products
Setting up a catalog of the items you wish to sell that includes their prices, descriptions, and inventory count is necessary to get your Instagram shop approved.
Integrate your business's existing product database from certified third-party eCommerce platforms like Shopify or Magento (and soon, RUSH eStore) to better manage your inventory across multiple channels. If you don't have a catalog, you can create one via Facebook Business Manager.
- Submit your account for review
The platform needs to approve your account's legitimacy before you start selling your products. Depending on the volume of requests, Instagram's review process may take anywhere from hours to a few days. - Switch on shopping features
When Instagram approves your account request, all that's left to do is launch your product catalog and start selling. Use the promotional features that Instagram offers to make your shop known, like clickable shopping tags for feed posts and product stickers for your stories.
How to Get Sales on Instagram: 5 Tips for Maximum Returns
Instagram considers what brands each customer follows or what posts they interact with to effectively personalize every user’s product feed. Because of its targeting capabilities, being present on the platform allows you to reach more clients. To help you get started, here are some ways how to get sales on Instagram.
- Create relevant hashtags
Many users follow hashtags to get relevant posts on their feeds. When done correctly, the Instagram hashtags you use for your content help your post appear on the Search and Explore tab of your target market.
Instagram allows 30 hashtags per post. Try adding the hashtags #shoplocal and #shopinstagram in your captions to gain the attention of individuals using the platform. Customized hashtags also improve brand recall when you've established your brand. Avoid stuffing your posts with the same hashtags, as it makes your account look like spam content.
- Maximize user-generated content
Instagram users typically like to share their stories and experiences through their posts. Leverage this practice by reposting a post or story that features one of your products.
Sharing your customer's experiences with your shop also generates authentic content that your prospects can rely on. It also serves as great social proof that effectively communicates your brand's credibility and values.
- Partner with influencers
Collaborating with an influencer is a great way to boost your engagements and reach a wider audience. For example, you ask an influencer to post original content as an Instagram story or reel that features your product line and share it with their followers.
Remember that working with an influencer is more than paying someone to promote your goods and marketing efforts. Ensure that you're partnering with someone who creates effective and organic content, proves their influence in the industry, and actively posts content relevant to your product.
- Maintain your branding
Remember to incorporate a consistent branding style for every post you share on your website, Instagram shop, and other platforms. Create excellent visual content that aligns with your brand voice and personality. In doing so, you’ll be able to effectively establish a brand identity easily recognizable by your followers when scrolling through their endless feeds. - Provide exclusive content
Behind-the-scenes content lets your customers get more acquainted with your business and what it stands for. Showing your brainstorming process, how each product is created, and how it ends up on their front doors helps them get more involved with your brand.
You don't have to include every business detail in your content. Consider posting reels that answer Frequently Asked Questions or How-To tutorials to give more information about your product and how customers benefit from it. You can even share exclusive promotional offers to keep customers clicking back on your profile.
Boost Your Solutions with an Instagram Shop
In this day and age, making the most out of social media is a must for all brands. Setting up an Instagram shop significantly affects your brand's growth and success. Investing in your brand's presence on the platform helps you meet more clients and address their needs.
As you start with Instagram, remember to utilize a return on Investment (ROI) calculator to help you see the result of your marketing efforts and make better-informed financial decisions for your business.
If you’re a business owner looking to expand your brand to Instagram and drive sales, consider acquiring RUSH’s all-in-one eCommerce packages for seamless business solutions. Start growing your business with the right tools by inquiring today!
