Have you ever maximized a marketing strategy by implementing social media marketing? Now is the time to use Instagram shopping features that will help businesses reach more potential buyers. Get started by learning how to enable Instagram shopping!
Instagram is now not just a social media platform that displays interesting content to be enjoyed every day. IG users can now shop through the platform without having to visit certain websites and don't need to leave Instagram.
Get to Know What Instagram Shopping Is
Selling products can now be done on various platforms, including social media. If your target audience is active Instagram users, now is the time to start using the Instagram shopping feature. Already know what Instagram shopping is? Instagram shopping is a feature that is able to present a shopping experience on Instagram social media like shopping in e-commerce.
Instagram users can find this feature on the explore page, to be precise, next to the Instagram reels icon. While enjoying various Instagram social media content, users can while shopping without having to leave the application they are using.
Instagram Shopping Requirements
Instagram users are certainly no strangers to the existence of a shopping bag image which is the symbol of Instagram shopping. This one feature allows users to buy products according to their needs and desires.
For the business owner side, this feature cannot be displayed automatically. This means that when you create an Instagram account for marketing and business needs, you cannot immediately use the feature. There is a way to activate Instagram shopping so that later products will be displayed to Instagram users according to the target audience.
To be able to activate the Instagram shopping feature, there are a number of conditions that must be met by the account owner, including the following:
- The business location is in an area supported by the Instagram shopping feature
- The account you are using is a business account that sells physical products
- Connect with FB business phage
- Meets the policy standards set by Facebook
- The business complies with the pelapak agreement and trade policies on the Instagram social media platform
- The IG business account is connected to the product catalog on Facebook
- Businesses must have a website to sell
So, if you are interested in activating the Instagram shopping feature after knowing the steps and how to activate Instagram shopping, make sure there is a business website.
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Advantages of Instagram Shopping
Talking about how to activate Instagram shopping, maybe some of you are still curious about the various advantages of this feature.
The following are the advantages of Instagram shopping, today's IG features that should not be underestimated:
- Reaching a Wider Audience
One of the advantages of Instagram shopping is reaching a wider audience. Especially now, so many Instagram users are active on social media by spending hours on end. Now, IG is not just a medium for socializing but also for selling.
It's no wonder that more and more entrepreneurs and business owners are using Instagram as a medium or tool for social media marketing strategies.
The number of users that is increasing from time to time is a business opportunity. Where businesses can reach a wider audience or target market. To make this happen, you can use various methods including making the best use of the IG shopping feature.
- Increase Sales
With a wider target audience reach, the greater the opportunity to increase sales. Online shopping has become a very massive behavior and occurs in various circles around the world.
The existence of marketplaces and e-commerce which are increasingly growing and developing is certainly strong evidence of this. The Instagram shopping feature then appeared as a response to this growth.
- Facilitate Customers
The existence of Instagram shopping not only benefits businesses but also customers. They can more easily find the various products they are looking for or need. With this feature, your audience or potential customers can be directed directly to your business website to make purchases.
That means, they don't have to leave Instagram and look for websites that provide the products they need. This convenience can encourage purchases.
- Increase Website Traffic
One of the requirements that you must meet in order to implement how to activate Instagram shopping is to have a website. These interesting and useful features of IG don't just drive sales figures up. But it can also help increase website traffic.
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How to Activate Instagram Shopping
The most important part of Instagram shopping is activating these features so that later they can be used to help increase sales through reaching a wide audience.
For beginners who are both still learning how to activate this one feature, here's how to activate Instagram shopping, complete with the steps:
- Confirmation of Business Eligibility
In order to activate Instagram shopping, the account owner must confirm that their business is eligible. Why? Even though there are so many IG business accounts, not all will be accepted when applying to activate the Instagram shopping feature. As previously said, the business account must meet the requirements set by Instagram.
- Make sure you already have an Instagram Business account
Instagram shopping is a feature available for business accounts. So, make sure the account you are going to use is already a business account. If not, first change your account from a personal account to a business account.
Business accounts can enjoy various features such as insights. To change the account from individual to business, here are the steps:
- Open an account and select settings
- Continue by selecting the three lines and scrolling until you find Switch to a professional or business account and click on that option
- Select Business when two options appear, namely creator or business
- Click Next
- Select a business category and click Done
- Create Websites
The next step that you have to do as part of how to activate Instagram shopping is to create a website.
However, you can skip this one step if you already have a website. That means you can go straight to the next step.
- Add Catalog
To be able to place a new catalog, you must first have a Facebook page. The steps are as follows:
- You can create a FB page manager account in Facebook Business Manager. To log in, of course, just use your FB account.
- After successfully logging in, fill in all the requested information in order to create a new business account.
- Then select Business Settings and click Data Sources
- Continue by selecting the Catalog menu and clicking Add to create a new catalog
- Create the name and type of product that you will include in the catalog
- Click the Create Catalog button
- Decide who will get admin access or standard access to the catalog
- Fill in the empty catalog so you can link it to your Instagram business account by selecting the Open in Catalog Manager option
- Select Instagram Shopping Channel in the menu section on the left and click Add Product
- There are two options available i.e. Add Manually and Use Pixel for those who have already added Facebook Pixel to their website
- After the next click, don't forget to fill in the product information and click Add product
- The catalog has been created and you can immediately connect it to an existing IG business account
- Link to Catalog on FB
If the catalog is already available on the Facebook page and website, now is the time for the next step and how to activate Instagram shopping. In order for the Instagram shopping feature to be active, here are some steps you must take:
- Click Business in the account settings section and select Sign Up for shopping
- Follow all the steps requested, starting from linking your IG account to FB to linking IG with the catalog you have created on Facebook
- Continue by selecting Facebook Catalog Manager
- Check for Catalog
- Wait for the Account Review Process
After doing the steps above as a way to activate Instagram shopping, you can wait for the permission notification to make Instagram shopping.
Instagram will first review the account and decide whether to approve or allow your request. You can even refuse requests to activate the features you want to use.
- Enable Shopping Features
With all the ways to activate Instagram shopping and the account is approved, you can now start activating the Shopping feature. However, don't be surprised if the feature isn't available in the settings yet. That means, Instagram is still in the review process and hasn't approved it.
- Add Product Labels
How to activate Instagram shopping does not end there. You still have to create content that will be shared with your audience. The method is as follows:
- Select the photo that you will upload and click Tag Products
- Click the product to be tagged and select the product from the catalog
- Activate FB so you can upload content on two social media at once, namely FB and IG by clicking Share or Share according to what is displayed on the screen
Instagram Shopping Catalog with Facebook Catalog Connected?
The first time you activate Instagram shopping, you may still have a lot to learn. So, it doesn't matter if you are still confused about connecting your IG account with the FB catalog.
- For this need, try the following steps:
- Access the Facebook Business Settings page and select your store's Facebook page
- Continue by clicking Data Sources and Catalogs
- Click Open in Catalog Manager
- Select Channels and Click on Connect Profile button
- Finally, click the “+” (plus) sign and log in to your Instagram business account
Conclusion
Instagram shopping is a feature that makes it easy for Instagram users to find their favorite products. This feature certainly helps business owners increase sales by reaching more potential buyers.