Part one of this series explored the bene ts of embracing the Instagram Shopping feature; now, let’s take a look at how to set up an Instagram Shop.
Before we begin, business owners should note that they will need to comply with Instagram’s commercial policies, including that only physical items can be sold; services – such as repairs or remakes – can’t be sold via an Instagram Shop.
It can take a little bit of time, but this step- by-step guide makes it easy to get started.
Step 1: Open a Facebook Shop
Facebook owns Instagram, so business owners will need to create a Facebook Shop before they can establish one on Instagram.
If you’ve already got a Facebook Shop with a catalogue of products ready to go, you can skip this step!
Otherwise, there are two options for setting up a Facebook Shop:
- Set up a Facebook Shop from scratch through a Facebook account
- Set up a Shopify e-commerce store, and sync it to Facebook
It is strongly recommended to select the second option. Firstly, chances are you’ve already got an e-commerce website. If that’s the case, you don’t want to manage two separate stores.
If you choose to start a Shopify store and sync it to Facebook and Instagram, you’ll only need to update one platform; any products you add will automatically go across to the two social platforms!
Secondly, a standalone Facebook Shop doesn’t have all the great features that
a dedicated e-commerce service provides.
Step 2: Switch to a business profile
Before you can create an Instagram Shop, ensure your Instagram account is set as a business profile.
This is allows you to access tools like ads, action buttons and some analytics, so it is worth doing even if you do not create a Shop. Simply go to Settings, click ‘Account’, and then choose ‘Switch to Business Profile’.
Then, you will need to make sure your Instagram business profile is linked to your Facebook page.
Go to Instagram Settings, click ‘Account’, and then choose ‘Linked Accounts’. Enter your Facebook details, and you’re done.
Step 3: Add your product catalogue
If you are using a standalone Facebook Shop without Shopify – or have already linked your Shopify store to Facebook Shop – skip ahead to Step 4.
Instagram Shopping ‘pulls’ your product catalogue from your Facebook Shop, which means that if you are using Shopify, you must link it to Facebook:
- Go to your Shopify dashboard, and look for the left-hand sidebar menu
- Click the plus icon nextto‘Sales Channel’
- Click the Facebook option,andenter your Facebook details as required
- Go back to your Shopify dashboard, and look for the left-hand sidebar menu
- Click on ‘Products’
- Highlight the products you want on your Facebook Shop (or ‘Select all’)
- Click ‘Make Products Available’and select ‘Facebook’
Even though your Instagram Shop can’t link directly to Shopify, you still need to let Shopify know that you’ll be using Instagram as a sales channel.
- Go to your Shopify dashboard and click the plus icon next to ‘Sales Channel’ on the left-hand sidebar menu
- Click the Instagram option, and enter your Instagram details as required
Step 4: Wait for approval
At this point, Instagram will review your account to ensure everything is in order. This process can take a few days, so don’t panic if you don’t get approved instantly.
When you’re approved, you’ll get a notification from Instagram that you can begin tagging products in your posts.
Step 5: Connect accounts and tag products
The final step is ‘telling’ Instagram which Facebook Shop you want connected to your profile. Either click the ‘Get Started’ button on your approval notification or go to your Instagram Business Settings, click ‘Shopping’, and select Facebook Shop.
All the products on your Facebook Shop should now be synced with Instagram, and you can begin tagging products in posts. Instagram allows you to tag up to 5 in a single post, or 20 per carousel.
You’ll see an option to ‘Tag Products’ right below where you would normally ‘Tag People’, so it’s as easy as that! You can also tag your products in Instagram Live.
Following the steps in this simple guide, there’s never been a better time to embrace Instagram Shopping and harness this powerful sales channel.
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