Ever seen a beautiful piece of clothing or a pair of shoes on Instagram that you really wanted to buy but let go of just because the purchase process was a headache? I’ve been there too many times. Just having to go to a website, find my favorite item, and then go through the payment process made me prefer to forget about the whole thing and continue scrolling on Instagram. However, Instagram made a change a few years ago and added Instagram Shop to its options.
Instagram Shop has simplified selling on Instagram without visiting a website. Curious about how to shop on Instagram? Don’t worry. I’m about to explain everything you need to know about Instagram Shop and guide you on setting up your own.
Ready to dive in? Let’s get started.
What Is Instagram Shop?
Instagram has provided in-app features for its users to buy and sell products online without needing a website or completing complicated purchase processes. This is what Instagram Shop is all about. Easy, right?
But the main question here is, how to set up an Instagram shop? So, let’s find out quickly.
How to Set up an Instagram Shop?
To set up your Instagram shop, you need to upload all your products to Commerce Manager or use another existing platform like Shopify to sync your product data with your Instagram shop. Here’s how to do it:
1. Using Commerce Manager
- Log into Commerce Manager and navigate to ‘Catalog.’
- Click on ‘Add Products,’ then choose ‘Add Manually.’
- Add a product image, price, name, description, availability, and website link.
- Enter an SKU or unique identifier in the ‘Content ID’ section if available.
- Provide categorization details like condition, brand, and tax category.
- Specify shipping options, return policy, and any variants such as sizes.
- Once completed, click ‘Add Product.’
2. Integrating an Ecommerce Database
- Log into Commerce Manager and go to the ‘Catalog’ tab, then navigate to ‘Data Sources.’
- Select ‘Add Items,’ choose ‘Use a Partner Platform,’ and click ‘Next.’
- Choose your platform (e.g., Shopify, Feedonomics, CedCommerce) and follow the link to the partner platform’s website.
- Complete the steps to connect your account with Facebook.
Here, most of your work is actually done. Now, all you have to do is submit your account for the final review and then connect your catalog with the Instagram Shop.
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Instagram Shop Set-Up Requirements
To sell your product, you must adhere to all Instagram rules and make some arrangements. Here is what you must pay attention to first:
| Steps | Description |
| 1 | Make sure you have a business or creator account, not a personal one. To broaden your selling circle, connect your Instagram to your Facebook account. |
| 2 | Set up a Business Manager account in order to be able to set up your shop in Commerce Manager. |
| 3 | Agree to Instagram Commerce Eligibility Requirements and ensure you have the right products for launching on the platform. You must also agree to all the policies and terms of use. |
| 4 | Have a website domain and ensure your shop lists products for direct purchase. You must also showcase the store or site linked to the provided domain. |
| 5 | Ensure you live in a country that supports Instagram Shop. |
How to Set up a Shop on Facebook & Instagram?
Now you know how to create a shop on Instagram. But what about Facebook? There is an alternative method to set up a shop on both Instagram and Facebook at the same time. To set up your shop on both platforms, follow the steps below:
1. Go to the Get Started page and click ‘Get Started,’ then ‘Create a Shop,’ and ‘Get Started’ again.
2. If you use Shopify or another partner platform, select it. If not, select ‘I don’t use these platforms,’ then click ‘Next.’
3. Choose a checkout method if prompted and click ‘Next.’
4. To sell on Facebook, choose your Facebook Page. To sell on Instagram, select your Instagram business account. Click ‘Next.’
5. Select or create a business account and click ‘Next.’
6. Choose a catalog to use for your shop and click ‘Next.’ If you don’t have a catalog, one will be created for you automatically.
7. Review your shop details, agree to the ‘Seller Agreement,’ and click ‘Finish Setup.’
After setting up your shop:
- Manage your catalog to add products you want to sell.
- Create a collection to feature specific products.
- Customize your shop’s appearance with collections, products, or promotion banners on your shop’s homepage.
Note: If you use checkout, Shop Pay by Shopify will be automatically enabled. You can turn it off if needed.
Also Read: Social Media Strategy: The Best Platforms to Include
Instagram Shop Features
Now that you’re completely familiar with the steps on how to add shop on Instagram, it’s time to know more about Instagram Shop features and options.
1. Your Shop
As the name suggests, Your Shop is where your own Instagram shop is located. Here, you can showcase all your products, and users can browse through them and buy directly from you using the available options.
2. Collections
Would you rather see the products of an online shop categorized or displayed randomly with no order? I guess you’d prefer the first option. I mean, who likes to be confused?
This is what Instagram Collections are for. Using this option, you can see all similar products in one section. For instance, you can create one collection for shoes, another for accessories, and another for summer clothes. This way, your audience can find what they want much easier, connect with your brand, and buy from you.
3. Product Detail Pages (PDPs)
As the name suggests, these pages show product details, including pricing and descriptions of the products.
Another interesting aspect of PDPs is that they automatically gather and display posts, images, and other content from Instagram where users have tagged the specific product.
Additionally, using this option, you can direct customers to your website if you prefer them not to purchase your products directly through Instagram Shop.
4. Checkout on Instagram
If you want your customers to buy from you directly on the platform rather than through your website, you can use the “Checkout on Instagram” option.
However, this option is not available for all Instagram users; only U.S. businesses and creator accounts can take advantage of it.
Besides the aforementioned features, Instagram Shop also provides users with additional features. Here are some of them:
5. Product Tags
This feature allows users to tag specific products from their catalog in their images and videos in their feed, Reels, and Stories, as well as mention products in the bio or captions of their posts.
Tapping on a Product Tag provides users with more information about the product, such as its name and price, making it easier for them to make a purchase.
6. Ads with Product Tags
Using Instagram Shop, you can add Product Tags to your posts, making it easier for users to find and purchase your products. Additionally, you can advertise your product through Ads Manager to reach a wider audience. This approach can enhance your product’s visibility and accessibility on the platform.
Also Read: Are Instagram Ads Worth It?
Last Words
In short, Instagram Shop offers a secure option for sellers to reach more customers and facilitate easy purchases directly through the platform.
Setting up your own Instagram Shop is simpler than you might expect, but you need to meet specific criteria to utilize this fantastic feature.
If you have any questions regarding how to set up shop on Instagram, refer to our blog post for detailed insights. I’m confident you’ll find your answers promptly.
FAQs
Now, let’s answer some frequently asked questions regarding our topic.
