Guide to Using Shopping on Instagram

Have you signed your small business up for Instagram yet? A recent change to the app’s shopping component has made it easier than ever for small businesses to sell directly to customers. Shopping on Instagram delivers an immersive storefront for customers to explore your products with a single tap on their screen.

How Shopping on Instagram Works

This business-friendly update allows you to tag up to five products per image with links directly to your online store. You can upload up to twenty products per carousel, and you can add filters or captions to your posts.

When someone taps a tag on your post, they’ll see the following information:

  • An image of the product from your post
  • A description of the product
  • How much the product costs
  • A link taking them directly to your website to purchase

Signing Up for Shopping on Instagram

It’s important to note, Shopping on Instagram is not available to everyone. Nor can you pay to ‘promote’ shopping posts. Instead, there are some criteria that must be satisfied to start posting:

Once you’ve satisfied these criteria, you will receive a notification from Instagram and you can turn on product tagging through your settings.

How to Take Advantage of Shopping on Instagram

Nobody likes being on the receiving end of a hard sell. Least of all customers who have chosen to engage with your brand. Here are three tips to get the most out of your business Instagram.

Continue Organic Growth Targets

While Instagram’s shopping changes give you the ability to sell your products directly, don’t forget your original social media targets. Social remains the cornerstone of any well thought out digital marketing strategy. Continue pursuing organic growth by engaging with your audience and telling your brand’s story. Growth will get more eyeballs on your posts, giving you the ability to sell to more potential customers.

Weave Products into Your Story

Make the most of your new ability to sell by sprinkling your products organically throughout your photos. Your Instagram feed allows you to add substance to your products. Demonstrate your products in action and inspire followers with ideas of how to use your product in different ways. It’s not enough to place a tag on a boring product photo; there needs to be a reason for it to exist.

Content Remains King

This leads us to an important final point. Content is, and always will be, king. You need to ensure the quality of your Instagram feed remains high. Keep customers engaged with quality content and they’re far more likely to buy. Instagram is a visual channel. You won’t connect with people, or grow a following, if your images aren’t up to scratch. Aim to inspire and you won’t go far wrong.

Here to Help

No matter what stage of business, or what problem you face, Small Business BC offers a range of seminars and one-on-one advisory sessions to suit any business.

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