Wondering, can you sell on Instagram? Absolutely! In this short guide by Mid-Man, we’ll show you how to set up your Instagram shop and maximize sales. Whether you’re new to selling or want to boost your success, this guide covers all the essentials to help you start selling on Instagram.
1. Can you sell on instagram?
Instagram Shopping is a feature that helps people buy your products directly on Instagram. With it, you can set up a store on your profile and tag your products in posts and videos.
Key Instagram Shopping features include:
- Shopping tags: Tag your products in Reels, Stories, and posts so viewers can go straight to your online store.
- Storefront: Build a store on Instagram to showcase your brand and products.
- Checkout: In the US, shoppers can buy products within the app without going to an external site.
Instagram has over a billion users, making it one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide. Its focus on visuals allows businesses to get creative with their marketing, and many users are willing to shop directly through the app.
Selling on Instagram gives businesses a chance to reach their target audience and increase sales.
Can you sell on Instagram? Yes, with Instagram Shopping, it’s easier than ever to sell directly to your audience.
2. How to start selling on instagram
Below are 3 steps on how to start selling on Instagram!
2.1. Create a Business Account
First, you’ll need an Instagram business profile to sell things on Instagram. You can either create a new profile or switch your current one to a business account. Here’s how to create a business Instagram account easily:
- Go to your profile and tap the three-line (hamburger) icon in the upper right corner.
- Tap “Settings and privacy,” then select “Account type and tools.”
- Then choose “Switch to professional account.”
- Then select the category that best fits your business.
2.2. Add or sync your product catalog
Next, it’s time to add your products so you can sell things on Instagram. This can be done either manually or by linking your Shopify store.
Manually Create Your Product Catalog
To upload products manually, you’ll need to create a Commerce Manager account. This is where your product information will be stored, and you can use it to customize your shop and create product collections.
Upload your products by clicking “Upload product info.” For each product, you’ll need to add:
- An image that’s 500 by 500 pixels
- A product description
- A link to your product page
- The price
- A SKU number
Sync Your Shopify Product Catalog
If you already have products in your Shopify store, you don’t need to enter them again. Instead, download the Facebook and Instagram apps and connect your accounts.
Keep in mind that it may take up to 48 hours for Instagram to review your products. Once approved, you can use Shopify to customize your shop, create Instagram ads, and track orders made by Instagram users.
So, can you sell on Instagram? Yes, by adding your products to your business account, you can effectively sell on the platform!
2.3. Enable shopping features on your Instagram account
Once you’ve set up your business account and added products to your catalog, you can enable Instagram Shopping so you can sell things on Instagram.
You go to the Instagram profile settings and tap “Business,” “Shopping”, then connect to the product catalog.
After you’ve completed these steps, you’ll be ready to promote your shop, tag products in your posts, and create Instagram Shopping ads!
Wondering can you sell things on Instagram? yes, you can sell things on Instagram by following these steps.
3. Ways to boost sales when you sell on Instagram
3.1. Products should be featured on Instagram using these Five tips
Here are 5 tips on how to feature your products consistently in your posts so that people can learn about them on Instagram.
- Make Posting a Habit
Share posts about your products regularly, like on a specific day each week. This way, your followers will get used to checking out your products.
- Show Behind-the-Scenes
Use Instagram Stories to give your audience a look at how your products are made. This helps them appreciate the effort that goes into creating them.
- Display All Product Variations
Show all the different options for your products, like various colors, sizes, and materials. This expands the options available to customers.
- Create Story Highlights
While Stories disappear after 24 hours, you can save important ones as highlights on your profile. This way, followers can easily find stories that showcase specific products.
- Use a Backdrop
Choose colors and textures that make your products stand out, like a plain white wall or a patterned fabric. This helps draw attention to your items.
By following these tips, you can effectively show your products on Instagram. Absolutely when you wonder, can you sell on Instagram by using these strategies to attract more customers.
3.2. Generate Excitement for New Products with These Five Tips
Tease products ahead of launch
Give your audience sneak peeks of your upcoming products without showing everything. You can take photos from different angles or show close-ups to build curiosity. This keeps your followers excited and eager to see the final reveal!
Make a hashtag for your product launch
To announce the launch date of your product, use the countdown sticker in your Instagram Stories. You can find this option by tapping when editing your stories.
Encourage your followers to tap “Remind me,” so they’ll get a notification when your product launches. You can also ask them to share the countdown in their own stories to spread the word!
Partner with influencers
Influencers are great for promoting your products on Instagram. They have built trust with their followers, making it easier to get attention for your brand.
You don’t need big-name influencers; micro-influencers with fewer than 20,000 followers can be just as effective and often charge less or promote in exchange for products. This can help showcase things you can sell on Instagram.
Run Instagram ads
Instagram is a popular shopping platform, and shoppable ads can help you reach potential customers. These ads include product tags, allowing users to click through to learn more or purchase directly.
You can create these ads in Ads Manager and target specific audiences, helping you promote things you can sell on Instagram effectively.
Use video to show off your product
Video is a powerful tool for selling products, with 78% of viewers more likely to buy after watching a video. Incorporating video into your Instagram strategy can grab attention and boost sales.
The best videos tell engaging stories that connect with viewers, helping them understand what your brand offers. To drive sales, add product stickers to your Stories, and consider pinning your videos as highlights on your profile for easy access. Below are 3 tips for effective video content:
- Keep It Short: Aim for videos between six and ten seconds for ads.
- Design for Sound Off: Make sure your video communicates well even without sound.
- Frame Your Story: Use a vertical format to fit phone screens better.
By using these strategies, you can effectively showcase things you can sell on Instagram and attract more customers with the question “can you sell stuff on instagram?”
3.3. 3 Tips to boost purchases of your products on Instagram
Post Frequently About Your Top Products
To increase sales, make several posts about your most popular products. Use Instagram insights to find out which items get the most views and engagement.
Creating more content around these products helps build confidence among your followers and shows that you can sell on Instagram effectively.
Add Action Prompts in Your Captions
Adding a call to action like “Tap to Shop” in your captions encourages your followers to take action. This simple reminder can help boost engagement and drive more sales, reinforcing the message that you can sell on Instagram.
Launch an Exclusive Discount or Special Offer
Running a special promotion just for your Instagram followers can create excitement and urgency. When you offer a limited-time sale, it encourages people to act quickly and make a purchase.
This approach can help you highlight “Can you sell on Instagram” while keeping your audience engaged.
In conclusion, can you sell on Instagram? Yes! By following Mid-Man‘s beginner guide, you can easily set up your shop and start boosting sales. Take advantage of Instagram’s huge audience and start growing your business today!
