How to Sell on Instagram: Tips and Strategies for Beginners
Instagram is a powerhouse for business and e-commerce, especially when it comes to access to visual items and consistent customer engagement. Since its launch in 2010, Instagram has grown into a platform with over one billion monthly users globally, making it a prime destination for brands looking to reach diverse, highly engaged audiences. Instagram has amassed almost one and a half billion users worldwide, and provides brands with a vast marketplace ripe for digital shopping.
Additionally, social commerce revenue projections show that platforms like Instagram are set to keep growing, making this a crucial channel for any business looking to capitalize on selling via social media.
In this article, we’ll share tips on how to start your Instagram business and make money. Read on to learn about the rules for setting up your digital shop.
Table of contents
Benefits of Selling on Instagram
Instagram has become one of the most popular platforms for selling things, and it’s easy to see why. Here are the examples of why Instagram is a must for selling products and your online store:
Visual Appeal: Instagram is a visually-driven platform, making it ideal for showcasing products in an engaging, eye-catching way that resonates with audiences.
Large Audience: With millions of active users worldwide, Instagram offers a vast, diverse audience with various interests, so it’s even easier to reach niche groups.
Built-In Shopping Features: Instagram provides robust e-commerce tools like shoppable posts, which allow users to buy products directly through the app, right from pages they found the items on.
Customer Engagement: Through comments, likes, and direct messages, brands can build a strong integration with their customers, which enhances customer loyalty and trust.
Effective Marketing & Advertising: Instagram offers highly effective paid advertising options that allow brands to target key audiences based on age, location, interests, and behaviors.
It’s evident that Instagram really seems to be the best way to sell and advertise stuff online, as this platform provides high-quality videos and pictures to upload, and social interaction is frequent. Although the site was created originally as a place for simple photo sharing, it has since transformed into an optimal selling platform.
What You Can Sell on Instagram
From beauty products to fitness gear, Instagram is an ideal marketplace for selling a wide variety of items. Some popular product categories include:
Phone accessories
Clothes
Makeup accessories
Beauty products
Sunglasses
Candles
Home decor
Jewelry
Art
Fitness accessories
...And more.
If you’re unsure of what to sell on Instagram, you can search for trending products by hashtags. You can also browse through any other online marketplace, like Amazon. To find out more about a product’s popularity and profitability, try utilizing special tools like the AMZScout Product Database. This tool helps sellers identify trending products and find and evaluate profitable niches, allowing you to make data-driven decisions.
This is how:
Visit AMZScout. Sign up for a transparently free trial—no credit card information is required. The tool will launch automatically, and the instructions will appear right before you start using the tool.
Choose a category. If you have some ideas about what you want to sell, select from any of the 24 available categories. If you’re not sure, select All.
Set your filters. You can enter relevant keywords, narrow down your expected estimated revenue, price, and more—there are 16 available filters to help you optimize your search.
![Where are the AMZScout Product Database Search Filters]( "AMZScout Product Database Search Filters")
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Get your results. Check any product’s sales numbers and revenue, as well as other parameters (like size and weight). Analyze the data thoroughly to help you make your decision. For example, if you find a product that generates more than 1,000 monthly sales, this indicates a very good item to consider selling.
![Analyze AMZScout Product Database results]( "AMZScout Product Database Results")
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AMZScout’s Product Database lets you find in-demand products by tracking your competitors’ performance and exploring untapped niches. This allows you to get a better sense of what’s popular and profitable before launching on Instagram.
How to Sell on Instagram: A Step-by-Step Guide
The platform offers numerous e-commerce features, like shoppable posts and targeted ads, that make it possible for brands to grow their sales in an environment designed for engagement. Next, we'll share some helpful insights and walk you through the steps of selling successfully on Instagram.
1. Create an Instagram Business Account
Start by setting up a dedicated Instagram business account. This gives you access to features like analytics, ad tools, and shopping features that aren’t available for personal accounts. Simply go to your Instagram settings, select “Switch to Business Account” and follow the prompts to set it up.
2. Create a Brand Concept and Instagram Profile
Your brand concept is essential to making a lasting impression on Instagram. Create your own unique style, tone, and theme that align with your brand’s identity. From your profile photo to your bio, each element should reflect your brand’s personality and values. Develop a content strategy with a consistent aesthetic, color scheme, and content mix to make your profile visually appealing and recognizable.
3. Add or Sync Your Product Catalog
Instagram allows you to upload your product catalog either manually or by syncing with Shopify, Etsy, Amazon or your own website. You can create your product catalog using Meta Commerce Manager, where you can add product details, images, and prices. Once your catalog is set up, you’ll be able to tag products in your posts, which allows users to see your product information and make purchases seamlessly.
4.Utilize Your Business Account and Shopping Features
Leverage Instagram’s shopping features to help you create shoppable posts, product tags, and videos. Options like Reels, Stories, and IGTV allow you to showcase products in different formats, adding dynamic variety to your profile. You can also use the tagging feature to link to products directly from your posts and videos, helping followers access product information and purchase links quickly.
5. Promote Your Products
Instagram’s advertising tools can help you reach more users who fit your ideal customer profile. You can also engage followers through giveaways and contests, which are popular ways to increase brand awareness and engagement. Paid promotions can be set up with specific target demographics to get your products in front of the right audiences.
Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re sure to reach success selling on Instagram and make your money from your online shop.
Tips for Showcasing Your Products
As a visually-centered platform, Instagram offers numerous ways to effectively showcase your products, capture attention, and spark interest. Here are some essential tips:
Consistency: Posting regularly is key to keeping your followers engaged and ensuring that your brand stays in the forefront of their minds. By creating a content calendar, you can maintain a steady stream of high-quality posts that showcase your products and services in new and appealing ways.
Use Highlights in Stories: Instagram’s Story Highlights allow you to keep select content permanently accessible on your profile. Organize your Highlights into categories like product collections, customer testimonials, or promotions, making it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for. If you're wondering how to add a Story Highlight, just open a Story and select "Highlight" to save it in an organized, accessible format for new visitors to see.
Leverage User-Generated Content: Reposting photos from customers using your products not only adds social proof, but also builds trust and authenticity. Seeing real people enjoying your product reinforces the value and appeal of your brand. This strategy is also cost-effective, as it encourages organic promotion without incurring additional advertising fees.
Curate a Color Palette: A cohesive color palette is a powerful way to make your profile visually appealing and easily recognizable. Choose a set of colors that reflect your brand’s identity, and apply them consistently across posts. This not only makes your page more attractive but also strengthens brand identity.
By implementing these strategies, you’ll be setting your profile up for maximum engagement and appeal. Open up these opportunities to feature your brand on Instagram by investing a bit of time and creativity into your presentation strategy.
And if you’re concerned about fees, keep in mind that posting on Instagram is free, with costs only coming from any optional paid promotions or platform-specific selling fees for certain features. When used effectively, Instagram can be a cost-effective way to establish your online presence, build relationships, and drive sales.
Conclusion
Selling on Instagram offers businesses a unique combination of visual appeal, large audience reach, and effective shopping tools, making it an ideal platform for e-commerce sellers. By following the steps outlined above and utilizing Instagram’s built-in features, you can create a compelling profile, engage your audience, and drive sales. Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or a seasoned brand, selling on Instagram provides ample opportunities for growth and success in the world of social commerce.
