How to Sell on Instagram – 5 Steps to Set Up Shop on Instagram

Instagram is one of the most popular websites and mobile applications globally, making it an excellent platform for generating income. One of the easiest ways to do this is through Instagram shopping, which enables you to establish a shop directly on Instagram.

When established correctly, these shops can be highly profitable, making the understanding of how to sell on Instagram a vital component of any business plan.

That being said, here is everything you need to know about making sales on Instagram.

How to Sell on Instagram

There are various ways to establish a shop on Instagram, most of which do not require selling through a system directly authorized by the platform.

That does not imply that the other two options are illegal or against the TOS; in fact, most shops use Instagram advertising while handling their financial transactions off-site.

Let’s explore each of the main methods of selling on Instagram in more detail.

Selling Through Individual Posts

This is something anyone can do; even a personal account with a sufficiently large follower count can be used for this method.

Instead of setting up a professional account and creating a shop on Instagram, you will share various products and services you offer as individual posts, showcasing them directly to new customers on this social media platform.

This method is commonly used by amateur and beginner sellers who sell physical goods through a dropshipping strategy, as it boosts sales while greatly reducing marketing costs.

With this strategy, your products act as your content, removing the necessity to generate extra content to draw more people to your account.

Finally, you can save your interactions and communications with customers and share them on your Instagram page as a form of social proof.

This is one of the simplest social media strategies for sales and can be highly effective, as it does not require a registered business address and imposes no limit on the number of posts you can make.

These shoppable Instagram posts adhere to the TOS and provide an excellent opportunity to start selling your products or services, especially when used in conjunction with other social media platforms.

Utilizing an Instagram Ad Campaign to Connect with Your Target Audience

Another effective method for selling on Instagram is to create an Instagram business account, build a substantial following, and leverage that following to develop a successful marketing strategy.

This can be accomplished through sponsored posts, both on your own page and by funding others, as well as by creating stories that feature shopping tags linking to your external website.

In contrast to selling on Instagram through individual posts, this method is relatively more costly to implement, as it requires setting up and maintaining your own online store.

Nonetheless, it is an excellent way to boost your sales, as a well-managed Instagram page can generate considerable interest, allowing you to sell products much more quickly than you otherwise could.

The most effective way to use this type of Instagram shopping is to include a link to your landing page in your Instagram bio, as well as multiple links throughout various Instagram stories and featured posts.

Additionally, if you have a dedicated store on another platform, like your Facebook business page, you can include a link to it as well.

Setting Up an Instagram Shop

Ultimately, the most effective way to sell on Instagram is to use the platform itself as your shop. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to accomplish this.

1. Create a Creator or Business Account

You cannot link an Instagram shop to a personal Instagram account. Fortunately, setting up an Instagram business profile or a creator account is quick, easy, and entirely free.

First, go to the account settings of your existing account. Next, decide whether you want a creator or a business account. The differences are minimal, so just select the one you prefer.

2. Continue Setting Up Your New Account

Depending on whether you chose a creator or a business profile, you will see different options and possibilities. However, if your main goal is to sell on Instagram through an on-site online store, you can mostly disregard this information and simply click next.

After you click “next,” the Instagram app or website will display the following options:

Utilize the textbox to locate the description that most accurately represents your newly created creator or business account. You can also have this description displayed in your bio by simply checking the box. You will receive a final prompt to transition to a professional account.

3. Include Your Business Contact Information

To create a business account, you must provide Instagram with additional information, including your address, phone number, and more.

This information will be publicly displayed on your profile, enhancing your online store’s credibility with customers.

4. Verify Your Eligibility for Instagram Shopping

Before creating your shop, you must first verify your eligibility. Instagram shopping has specific requirements. Some of these are geographic, as the option is not available globally, while others pertain to your products. Visit the Instagram website for complete information before you start setting up your shop.

If everything is in order, begin setting up your shop.

5. Connect Your Instagram to Your Facebook Page

One of the most important aspects to remember about Instagram shopping is that you can link your Instagram profile to a corresponding Facebook profile to enhance your visibility and make use of the Facebook Business Manager tool.

Additionally, you can include a link to your Facebook catalog, if you have one, enabling people to browse your full range of offerings more easily.

6. Create a Product Catalog

Finally, before your Instagram live shopping platform can begin generating revenue, you must upload all the products you offer, including links and payment options.

You will have access to all the tools that Instagram provides. If you have chosen a business profile, you can also use third-party apps to enhance Instagram insights and discover additional methods to increase traffic.

Once everything is complete, your Instagram profile will show a shopping bag icon that directs anyone who taps it to the online store.

How Many Followers Do You Need to Make Money on Instagram?

This question is not easy to answer, as there isn’t a single response. However, you generally won’t begin earning money until you reach 10,000 Instagram followers, with earnings increasing significantly after surpassing the 100,000 mark.

As a result, you will need a relatively popular Instagram profile to establish a basis for your Instagram shop.

Why Am I Not Making Sales on Instagram?

Many people find themselves asking this question when their business fails to meet expectations. Selling on Instagram can be difficult, especially if you have few followers or if your product tags are ineffective.

If you are not making a profit, consider redesigning your store, investing in gaining more followers, and adding new products to your Instagram Live shopping. Each of these actions can help boost your income.

Conclusion

There are various methods to sell on Instagram, including adding an Instagram shopping link that directs users to a third-party website and creating a store that allows people to purchase your products directly through the app.

Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, and all should be considered, regardless of what you intend to sell on this platform.

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