Setting Up Shop: Instagram Shopping 101

Back in late 2020, Instagram made the shift into the e-commerce space and, as business owners, changed the way we promote our products & services. Rather than directing customers to your website, Instagram Shopping allows them to select and purchase products easily from the app.

A question we’ve been seeing in the Chic Community is…

Setting Up Shop: Instagram Shopping 101

Setting Up Shop: Instagram Shopping 101

“What is Instagram Shopping?”

Sharing products or promoting services on Instagram is nothing new. But when it comes to Instagram Shopping, think digital catalogue.

Your audience can learn more about the products you sell right in the app! From there, they can either purchase directly on Instagram (with Checkout) or click through to finish the transaction on the brand’s ecommerce site. 

Previously, when you were promoting your brand, you would see (or hear) “link in bio!”, or via “swipe up!”

With these new Instagram Shopping features, the whole process is streamlined – and SUPER easy! 

As Ariana Grande would say “I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it” 

Head to the @chicinfluencer Instagram to check out how Shop!

Setting Up Shop

First, you have to get approved to set up shop – check out qualifications below!

  • Your business is located in a supported market where Instagram Shopping is available. Check the list to confirm.
  • You sell a physical, eligible product.
  • Your business complies to Instagram’s merchant agreement and commerce policies.
  • Your business owns your ecommerce website.
  • You have a business profile on Instagram. If your account is set up as a personal profile, don’t worry — it’s easy to change your settings to business.

How to Set Up Instagram Shopping
Source: Instagram

Step 1: Convert to a Business or Creator Account

If you don’t already have a Business (or Creator) account on Instagram,  this is the sign you need to do it! Besides qualifying you for Instagram Shopping features, business accounts also have access to all sorts of analytics and you can use in your Make Chic Happen Planner!

Step 2: Connect To a Facebook Page

You can’t have an Instagram Shop without a Facebook Page. If you are promoting your brand, products and/or services you should be utilizing the Facebook platform as well!

Step 3: Upload your Product Catalog

This is the part that can be a bit time consuming BUT it is worth it! You can either input every product manually into Facebook Business manager, or integrate a pre-existing product database from a certified ecommerce platform (like Shopify or BigCommerce.) Here is a step-by-step from Instagram on how to upload.

Step 4: Submit your Account for Review

You’ll need to submit your account for review. These reviews usually take a couple of days, but sometimes it might run long – just be patient and keep checking back!

Step 5: Turn on Instagram Shopping

Once you’ve passed the account review process, it’s time to connect your product catalog with your Instagram Shop!

  • Go to your Instagram profile settings.
  • Tap Business, then Shopping.
  • Select the product catalog you’d like to connect.
  • Tap Done.

Step 6: Make CTA Posts

This is the FUN part :) 

You can tag up to five products per post — that goes for video posts, too!

Shoppable Instagram posts will feature a shopping bag icon in the bottom left corner. All the products your account has tagged will appear on your profile under the Shopping tab.

Friends, this is just the beginning of some incredible changes happening on the platform. Last week, we shared 3 features on IG that you must check out (Katy also has a Podcast about this too!)

Although it’s a lot to take and requires some changes and time to learn and adjust, Instagram is doing an amazing job allowing small businesses to THRIVE on it’s platform! 

Want to learn more about how to implement these features and stay in the know when it comes to social media updates & changes? 

Join our Chic Community! Learn more here!