What is Instagram Shopping?
Instagram Shopping allows you to tag products directly in your images and videos. Users see a shopping tag, tap on it, and are led directly to the product page – without having to leave Instagram. This offers a huge advantage for e-commerce SMBs.
Prerequisites
You need an Instagram Business account. Your account must be linked to a Facebook page. You need a Facebook Shop or a product catalog. Your business must be active in one of the supported markets – Switzerland is included.
Step 1: Business Account and Facebook Linking
Switch to an Instagram Business profile under Settings > Account. Link it to your Facebook page. Ensure you have admin rights for the page.
Step 2: Create a Product Catalog
In the Facebook Business Manager (business.facebook.com), create a product catalog. Add your products manually or connect your online shop via a direct integration (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.).
Step 3: Activate Shopping on Instagram
Go to Settings > Business > Shopping in Instagram. Link your product catalog. Wait for approval from Instagram (this usually takes one to five days).
Tagging Products in Posts and Stories
When creating a new post, you can tag products directly. In Stories, a shopping sticker appears. Consistently use this feature – the more touchpoints, the higher the probability of purchase.
Conclusion
Instagram Shopping is a must-have tool for e-commerce SMBs. The setup takes a few hours but pays off many times over through a smoother purchasing process for customers.