In today's digital world, social media has become an essential part of any successful business strategy. And when it comes to selling products online, Instagram is a platform you cannot afford to ignore.
By integrating your Instagram feed with your Shopify store, you can take your e-commerce game to the next level and boost revenue and sales. As you can directly sell Shopify products to your followers can directly shop from your Instagram posts, making it easier and more convenient for them to purchase your products.
So to learn more about how to sell on Shopify, dive into this ultimate guide on how to sell Shopify Products on Instagram!
Why Your Shopify Store Should be on Instagram?
Instagram has over two billion monthly active users as of January 2023, making it a prime platform for digital marketing. Social media marketing has become a successful strategy for businesses, with Instagram being the second most popular platform for marketers in 2022. 79% of marketers reported using Instagram to promote their businesses, showcasing the app's significance in digital marketing.
The human brain is attracted to visuals, and Instagram capitalizes on this by prioritizing visual content. Visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than text, making them more interesting and engaging. Today, an AI storyboard tool can take your content strategy to the next level. By creating visual narratives, an AI storyboarding tool can help you design reels, stories, and promotional visuals that captivate your target audience and make your products stand out.
As visuals and short videos gain popularity in content marketing, Instagram is becoming increasingly relevant. It allows users to share appealing images, videos, reels, and stories, making it a powerful platform for content creation. Among its features, Stories are one of the most popular. Users can post photos and videos that are live for 24 hours, providing a temporary but engaging way to share content with others.
In January 2023, 70.8 percent of Instagram's monthly active users were under the age of 35, with 31% aged 18-24 and 30.3% aged 25-34. This makes Instagram a strong platform for targeting younger audiences.
Over 200 million business accounts are currently on Instagram, utilizing various methods to generate revenue such as influencer marketing, sponsored posts, e-commerce, and more.
Having a Shopify store on Instagram can definitely boost the effectiveness of a business as a Shopify store can increase brand visibility and reach, as customers can discover and purchase products directly on the platform.
How to Set Up Instagram Shopping for Your Shopify Store?
Below are the steps to set up Instagram Business Account:
- Take a look at Instagram Commerce Eligibility Requirements before you go any further.
(Note that having your site domain is also necessary, which should not be an issue for those who have a Shopify store on Instagram.)
- In settings, find Account and tap Switch to a professional account.
- Pick a category that best describes your business, then select Business.
- Connect your Facebook business page To make your Instagram shop operational, you’ll have to connect it to your Facebook page.
- Now complete your profile using the tips below.
- Choose a recognizable profile picture/logo
- Write a clear and concise bio with relevant keywords
- Add your business category and contact information
- Use highlights to showcase your products or services
- Include a call to action in your bio or posts
- Start tagging and selling on Instagram.
How to Set Up Instagram Shopping for Your Shopify Store?
STEP 1: To sell products on Instagram, use the Instagram Shopping feature on Facebook and create a shop on your profile.
Customers can access all your products on Instagram by selecting "View Shop" on your profile. They can also click on tagged products in your posts and choose "View on Website" to make a purchase on your online store.
STEP 2:
You need to make sure that your products meet the product requirements for selling on Facebook and Instagram by Meta, and you must be located in a supported country.
STEP 3: Tag products in posts and stories, and customers can view and purchase them through your online store.
You can tag your products in Instagram stories using shopping stickers. You can only tag products on image story posts, not videos.
STEP 4: Edit product details in Shopify and make sure prices are correct to avoid errors on Instagram.
To modify the product details displayed in the product tag, such as description, name, or price, edit the product listing on Shopify and publish the changes to Facebook. The product description on Instagram must match that of Shopify.
Quick Tips for Selling on Instagram once your Instagram Business Account is established:
- Sharing content on Instagram with intention is important for businesses because it helps to create a clear and consistent brand identity, attract the right audience, and drive engagement and sales.
- Interact with followers and find out how hashtags can get you discovered by new customers. To build trust and expand your reach, consider buying Instagram followers and watch your influence grow.
- Reach your business goals with advanced targeting, and engaging ad formats.
- Utilize Instagram Insights to track your performance and adjust your strategy accordingly.
How to Promote Shopify Store on Instagram?
Promoting your Shopify store on Instagram can help you reach a larger audience and increase sales. Here are some tips to promote Shopify store on Instagram:
- Optimize your Instagram profile:
Make sure your Instagram profile includes a clear and concise description of your brand and a link to your Shopify store.
A well-crafted profile with a clear profile picture, bio, and contact information can attract potential customers and make them more likely to engage with your content. By using relevant keywords and hashtags in your bio and posts, you can also improve your discoverability and reach a wider audience.
- Post high-quality content:
Post high-quality images and videos of your products to showcase them in the best possible way. Use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience.
Posting high-quality content on Instagram is crucial for businesses to attract and retain their target audience. High-quality content not only captures the attention of potential customers but also helps to build a brand's reputation and credibility. Quality content also increases engagement rates, which can ultimately lead to higher conversions and sales.
- Offer Discounts and Use Promotional Codes:
Offering discounts and using promotional codes can be an effective way for businesses to drive sales and encourage customer loyalty on Instagram. By providing exclusive discounts and promotions, businesses can incentivize their followers to make a purchase and also create a sense of urgency to buy.
This can help increase engagement and build a stronger relationship with customers on the platform. Additionally, using promotional codes allows businesses to track the success of their Instagram marketing efforts and adjust their strategies accordingly.
- Pick a Theme:
Choosing a theme for your Instagram content can help your business establish a consistent visual identity that matches your brand's tone and personality. This makes it easier for your audience to recognize your content and connect with your brand.
A well-defined theme can also help you plan and create content more efficiently and effectively, resulting in a more cohesive and engaging Instagram presence for your business.
- Interact with your customers:
Interacting with your customers on Instagram is a key way to build relationships and establish brand loyalty.
By responding to comments and messages, engaging with user-generated content, and running Instagram polls and Q&A sessions, businesses can show that they value their customers and are invested in their opinions and feedback.
This not only helps to foster a positive brand image but can also lead to increased customer satisfaction and advocacy.
- Use Instagram & WhatsApp Ads:
Instagram Ads are a powerful way for businesses to reach a wider audience and increase engagement. By targeting specific demographics and interests, businesses can make sure that their ads are seen by people who are most likely to be interested in their products or services.
WhatsApp click to Chat ads allow businesses to easily connect with their potential customers on WhatsApp. These ads provide a quick and convenient way for people to start a conversation with a business directly from the ad, leading to increased engagement and potentially higher conversion rates.
Utilizing WhatsApp click to chat ads with features like cart recovery and upsell/cross-sell through BiteSpeed can greatly improve a business's conversion rates and revenue. By engaging with customers directly on WhatsApp, businesses can offer personalized product recommendations and promotions, making the shopping experience more convenient and enjoyable for customers.
Instagram Features You Can Use To Promote Your Shopify Products
Here are the Instagram features with which you can create a cohesive marketing strategy to promote your Shopify products, increase brand visibility, and ultimately drive more sales.
- Ad Solutions:
Instagram Ads is a feature that allows you to create paid ads on the platform to reach a larger audience. You can create ads that promote your Shopify products to specific demographics, interests, and behaviors.
- Video Solutions:
Instagram offers several video features, including Instagram Live, IGTV, and Reels. You can create product demos, and tutorials, or highlight customer reviews using these video features to showcase your Shopify products.
- Instagram Shopping:
Instagram Shopping is a feature that allows you to tag products in your posts and stories, making it easy for your followers to shop directly from your Instagram account. This feature can drive traffic to your Shopify store and increase sales.
- Instagram Influencers:
Partner with influencers in your niche to showcase your products to a larger audience. You can collaborate with influencers to create sponsored posts or product reviews. Influencer marketing is projected to reach $21.1 billion.
- Instagram Live:
Use Instagram Live to host product launches, and Q&A sessions, or to give your followers a sneak peek of new products.
- Instagram Hashtags:
Use relevant hashtags to increase the discoverability of your posts. You can use popular hashtags in your niche or create custom hashtags for your brand.
- Feed:
The Instagram Feed is the main page where users can see posts from accounts they follow. You can post high-quality images of your Shopify products with engaging captions to attract followers and drive traffic to your store.
- Stories:
Instagram Stories are short-lived content that disappears after 24 hours. You can use Instagram Stories to showcase your products, share behind-the-scenes content, or direct your followers to your Shopify store using the "Swipe Up" feature.
- Reels:
Instagram Reels is a short-form video feature that allows you to create engaging content around your products. You can create product demos, and tutorials, or highlight customer reviews to attract followers and drive traffic to your Shopify store.
Reels, with over 140 billion plays daily on Instagram and Facebook combined, are a valuable tool to expand your community, participate in popular trends, and partner with influential creators. It seamlessly combines entertainment and personal connection, making it a unique platform.
- Instagram Direct:
Instagram Direct is a messaging feature that allows you to communicate with your followers on a more personal level. You can use this feature to answer product-related questions, offer support, or direct your followers to your Shopify store.
Instagram Direct is a messaging feature integrated into the app, enabling you to privately exchange text, photos, posts, and Stories with one or more individuals.
Messaging can assist you in enhancing customer satisfaction and fostering deeper relationships by responding to queries, collecting feedback, or providing assistance after a sale.
How to Add Instagram Feed To Shopify?
Follow these steps to add the Instagram feed to Shopify:
- Edit the theme layout. Go to Themes, click ‘Actions’, and select ‘Edit code’.
- Go to 'Sections' and click 'Add a new section'.
- Give it a name, and an editor opens up.
In the editor, replace the Section name. Also, replace all after 'endschema' with embed code that you can find from the Display tab.
- Save changes.
- Next, scroll up the list to 'Templates', and click 'index.json'.
- An editor opens and you need to add the following section at the top:
- Scroll down the code editor, and you’ll find the order of homepage elements. Choose the right spot and add it to the list.
Finally, save changes, and the preview of your template on the Shopify homepage.
Now Add an Instagram feed to all products and collection pages Only now, edit to define the layouts of your Shopify product pages or collections.
Tips for Selling Your Products on Instagram
Here are some detailed explanations for the tips to sell products on Instagram:
- Develop Connectivity -
One of the key ways to sell products on Instagram is to develop a strong connection with your followers. You can do this by sharing behind-the-scenes (BTS) content that shows the human side of your business.
This can include images or videos of your team working on your product, your manufacturing process, or even just images of your workspace. This type of content helps to humanize your brand and create a sense of authenticity, which can help to build trust with your audience.
You can also use Instagram Stories or Live videos to show your audience the effort that goes into creating your product. Sharing your intentions and values can also help to connect with your followers, as it creates a sense of community and shared values.
- Be Consistent with Your Content Posts -
Consistency is key when it comes to selling products on Instagram. This means posting regularly and consistently so that your followers know when to expect new content from you. You should also aim to create high-quality content that is visually appealing and engaging.
Use a mix of photos, video telematics, and Instagram Stories to keep your content fresh and varied. You can also use Instagram's scheduling feature to plan your content, which can help you to stay organized and on track.
- Take Influencer Marketing to the Next Level -
Influencer marketing is a popular way to promote products on Instagram. However, to stand out from the competition, you should aim to take influencer marketing to the next level. This could involve partnering with influencers who align with your brand's values and mission, or who have a highly engaged following.
You can also create unique campaigns that involve influencers, such as product giveaways or sponsored content that showcases your product creatively.
- Leverage Variety (of Features) in Your Content -
Instagram offers a range of features that you can use to showcase your products in a variety of ways. For example, you can use Instagram Reels to create short, engaging videos that showcase your product in action. You can also use Instagram Shopping to tag your products in your posts, making it easier for your followers to purchase them.
Additionally, you can use Instagram's built-in filters and editing tools to create eye-catching visuals that grab your audience's attention. By leveraging a variety of features, you can create a dynamic and engaging Instagram presence that helps to sell your products.
Conclusion-
In conclusion, integrating Instagram with your Shopify store can be a game-changer for your e-commerce business.
With the rise of Instagram's visual-centric approach, being skilled in video maker tools and techniques can greatly enhance one's ability to create captivating Stories and reel in viewers.
With the ability to reach a wider audience, showcase your products in creative ways, and make shopping easier for your followers, Instagram is a must-have for any successful marketing strategy.
With Shopify Instagram marketing, using various features to promote your products, and adding your Instagram feed to Shopify, you can take full advantage of all that this platform has to offer.
However, it is not all that can be done for your business on Instagram to achieve greater heights. Integrating your Instagram with BiteSpeed's omnichannel inbox can take your business on Instagram to the next level. This allows you to respond to inquiries promptly and convert potential customers into sales.
Additionally, BiteSpeed can help you generate more sales by responding to marketing campaigns, leveraging customer behavior and data to create relevant offers and messaging, and even addressing abandoned carts and upsell campaigns.
To see how BiteSpeed can benefit your business, request a free demo now!