Instagram has rapidly risen in popularity as a platform for commercial sales. More than 14% of all U.S. retail sales were made online in the second quarter of 2022, a share that had grown by more than 100% since 2014.
Many companies wrongly believe that having a website is necessary to start selling online; however, it is increasingly simple to set up shop on social media. Instagram provides businesses with a complete e-commerce solution, letting them sell products directly through their profiles. This direct sales platform simplifies the steps involved in selling to a customer.
There has never been a better time to begin selling on Instagram if you want to see success. You can benefit from using Instagram as a sales channel because it caters to businesses of all sizes.
The Demand for Instagram Shopping
Making money through online product sales is no longer optional. Thanks to the proliferation of social commerce platforms, Instagram, with over 700 million users, is rapidly becoming a dominant platform for online shopping. About 80% of Instagram users follow a business, and 60% say they discover new products on the platform. As a result, companies increasingly market and sell their products on Instagram.
Instagram's design prioritizes user interaction. It allows networking through content sharing, tagging others, and private conversations via replies and direct messages. Direct sales are seamlessly blended with marketing through in-built shopping features such as product tags, clickable links, shoppable stickers, and collaboration ads.
Top 10 Easy Ways to Sell on Instagram
1. Optimize Your Instagram Account for In-App Shopping
Tag items in your Instagram business posts to inform visitors about product names and prices. Ensure tags lead directly to your Instagram store for in-app purchases. Instagram Checkout streamlines payments without leaving the app.
2. Add Product Photos and Catalogues
High-quality images are essential on Instagram. Use Shopping Tags in Stories, Reels, and posts, and consider restricted Checkout for seamless purchases.
3. Write Interesting Descriptions for Your Products
Engaging, informative captions encourage clicks. Experiment with different post styles within the 2,200-character limit. Invite followers to comment or tag friends to boost interaction.
4. Cause Buzz Around Products You Sell
Generate excitement around new products using behind-the-scenes videos, Instagram Live, or IGTV. Use pre-launch campaigns to build anticipation and attract potential customers.
5. Make Good Use of Instagram Stories
With over 500 million daily users, Instagram Stories are ideal for showcasing product usage, announcing sales, and introducing new products. Adding links to Stories boosts engagement for retail brands.
6. Organise Relevant Instagram Story Highlights
Save your product-focused Stories in Highlights for easy access. Organize by product category, price points, or promotions.
7. Send Your Products for Influencer Endorsements
Influencer marketing builds credibility. Work with micro-influencers (1,000–100,000 followers) to reach engaged audiences authentically. Find influencers whose values align with your brand for maximum impact.
8. Sponsor Giveaways with Products
Instagram giveaways increase exposure and sales. Plan and execute campaigns carefully, set entry requirements, and ensure relevance to your target audience for maximum engagement.
9. Run Instagram Ads
Paid ads expand reach and sales. Start small and use Instagram’s photo, video, Stories, and carousel ads strategically. Define your marketing goal first—brand awareness, reach, or follower growth—to maximize ROI.
10. Share Time-Limited Discounts
Create urgency with limited-time offers, such as discounts or free shipping. 88% of shoppers check for coupons online, but deadlines encourage immediate action and increase conversions. Track performance using social media dashboards.
Conclusion
Determining the best strategies for selling on Instagram requires trial and error. Following these ten guidelines streamlines the process, helping you attract new potential clients efficiently. While it may initially seem challenging, mastering Instagram sales allows you to grow your brand and revenue quickly and effectively.