Need to get your e-commerce business off the ground? Do you have trouble gathering the necessary finances to build a fantastic website? Good news: a website isn’t necessary to generate revenue. Instagram, a free network you likely already use for personal reasons, is all that’s needed.
This article will go over the basics of using Instagram to sell things without a website, as well as how to take advantage of all the content kinds that Instagram consumers like.
Can Instagram be used as a direct sales channel?
Without a website to showcase your wares, you may still sell straight via Instagram.
Instagram really does want its users to remain on the app. Therefore, it may be more advantageous to preserve the complete client experience on Instagram rather than directing visitors to other sites.
For this reason, a growing number of entrepreneurs are establishing full-fledged online stores, complete with checkout and payment processing, within Instagram itself via the usage of Instagram Shopping.
In addition to being able to set up an online storefront on Instagram, you can also add shoppable product tags to your own posts. Customers may travel straight from the feed to the checkout without ever leaving the app’s flow, thanks to this.
What makes Instagram a good platform for product sales?
To begin, the visual nature of Instagram makes it an ideal medium for showcasing the exquisite items you sell online.
Customers need to be able to view your goods before they purchase it, whether you’re a fledgling company owner producing things by hand or selling print-on-demand shirts.
There are more than 2.35 billion active users on Instagram right now, so you’re really losing out if you aren’t already.
According to recent statistics, over 90% of Instagram users follow at least one company account. Additionally, 62% of users express greater interest in a brand after seeing them in an Instagram Story. People are interested in buying from Instagram companies, and there are a lot of them.
Even though many of these companies have online stores, others are still profitable. So, until you’re ready to establish a fully-featured website, you may utilize Instagram to get some momentum.
Then what’s the first step?
Instagram Business: How to Begin Selling
If you don’t have a website but still want to sell things on Instagram, make sure your account is set up correctly.
Step 1: Get an Instagram account.
To begin, sign up for Instagram. You may open a personal account or a corporate account. Selecting a Business account is essential as it grants access to several services, such as:
● Updating your bio with contact information (email and phone number).
● Making content that may be purchased.
● Advertising your items via sponsored links.
● Getting to the bottom of your data (crucial!).
Do not fret if you have already made a personal profile; there is no rush. Changing your profile from personal to corporate is always an option.
Step 2: Write Your Bio
Sure, you may use your Instagram account for professional purposes. Do you think it’s time to start making sales? Your profile must appeal to prospective buyers according to our initial strategy.
You should always list your phone number and email address on your profile when they become available. The bio only allows a limited number of characters, therefore you must carefully exercise your word choice.
A solitary character within an emoji might contain extensive meaning according to specific situations. Do not utilize an overwhelming number of emojis; instead, choose those that you believe will be appropriate for your audience’s taste.
Your bio should convey your brand’s core values and provide information on how to make a purchase.
Step 3: Start posting to your Instagram account.
Feature your items. It’s that easy. After all, you are selling them.
If you’re just starting off, you should aim to have 12–16 posts before your account appears to be empty.
Posting dull, lifeless images of your goods on a table isn’t necessary either. Use your imagination and highlight:
● Different types of people using your goods.
● Having a good time whilst using or donning your merchandise.
● An inside look into the manufacturing process of your goods.
● Innovative product photography sessions.
● Displayed in a flat-lay picture format is your merchandise.
Step 4: Make an Instagram Shop
You are now prepared to begin selling. Currently, you can either manage your payment methods or set up an Instagram store directly.
Instagram favors the first choice since it is simpler. But before we get into Instagram Shops, let’s have a look at how to put things up without them, in case you prefer alternatives or are selling personalized items.
First Choice: Design Your Purchasing Journey
Your clients are more likely to purchase if you make their experience easier.
Including a web-based pre-order form in your Instagram bio is one approach. There are many methods of taking orders besides an online form:
● Direct messages
● Comments
● WhatsApp.
Second Choice: Open an Instagram Store
Get your Instagram account set up as a business account first (discussed before). Following this, choose “Business tools and controls” from the Privacy and Settings menu.
Next, choose “Set up a shop”:
Logging in with your Facebook account is required now. That’s because Instagram uses your Facebook profile to access your library of products. The next step is to choose the preferred mode of payment for your customers.
In case you haven’t created a catalog yet, Instagram will make it for you automatically.
You may add all your goods to your Commerce Manager after the basic setup is complete.
You are now able to personalize your store’s appearance and even arrange things in Collections.
Strategies for building an engaged following and expanding your Instagram store
There are many methods to interact with prospective clients on the site after you’ve completed the initial setup.
Optimal aspect? Your store goods may be tagged in almost all Instagram tools, such as:
● Feed posts
● Stories
● Reels
● Instagram Direct (your DMs).
Use tactics like buy organic followers to grow your audience and boost sales. Your Instagram store will thrive in the long run if you focus on creating a real audience.
Get your online store off the ground by selling on Instagram
There are a plethora of fantastic solutions available to streamline your ecommerce marketing, but occasionally a free platform like Instagram is enough to get things rolling.
Instagram isn’t a walk in the park; the app demands consistent content posting and active audience participation.
However, a website is not necessary to run a successful online shop if done correctly. In addition, you’ll have a much easier time interacting with your audience, which is fantastic for establishing a following in the start of your company!