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Writer's pictureAdrian Moreno

Instagram Shop & Its Features

Updated: Apr 27, 2023

Information from this blog post was obtained from Hubspot, Hootsuite, and Neil Patel.

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Instagram Shop is a feature on Instagram that allows businesses to set up an online storefront to showcase and sell their products directly on the platform. Instagram Shop offers a streamlined shopping experience for users who can browse and purchase products without leaving the app.


Businesses can create product catalogs and tag products in their posts and stories, making it easier for users to discover and purchase their products. Instagram Shop also offers features such as personalized recommendations and shopping collections curated by Instagram influencers and brands.


By utilizing the shopping features on Instagram, shops offer an avenue for people to purchase items showcased in your photos and videos. This creates a visually engaging storefront for your business and allows potential customers to browse through your top products.


According to Hubspot, setting up an Instagram shop can elevate your business in several ways. Firstly, it allows you to showcase your products in a visually appealing way, which can attract more potential customers and increase engagement. Secondly, it provides a convenient and seamless shopping experience for customers, which can result in higher conversion rates and sales. Additionally, having an Instagram shop can help to establish your brand's credibility and professionalism, as it signals to customers that you are a legitimate business with a strong online presence. Overall, an Instagram Shop can help to enhance your brand's visibility, reach, and profitability.


Instagram Shop offers several features that businesses can use to promote their products and engage with their audience. Some of these features include a product tag, a shop tab, Instagram checkout, collections, live shopping, and insights.

 

Product Tagging

According to Hootsuite, with product tagging businesses can tag their products in their posts and stories, allowing customers to tap on the tags to view more information and make purchases directly within the app.

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1. To use product tagging on Instagram Shop, businesses must first meet certain eligibility requirements, including having a business account, selling physical goods, and meeting Instagram's commerce policies.


2. Businesses must also create a product catalog, either through Facebook Catalog Manager or an e-commerce platform integration, and connect it to their Instagram business account.


3. Once a product catalog is set up, businesses can tag their products in their posts and stories by selecting the "Tag Products" option when creating a new post or story. They can then search for and select the product they want to tag and position the tag within the post or story. Here's how to use this feature by following these steps:

  1. Create an Instagram Story by taking a photo or video or selecting an existing one from your camera roll.

  2. Tap on the Sticker icon at the top of the screen and select the "Product" sticker.

  3. Select the product from your Instagram Shop that you want to tag in the Story.

  4. Customize the color and text of the Shopping Sticker.

  5. Publish the Story to your profile.

When users view the Story, they can tap on the Shopping Sticker to see more information about the product and purchase it directly from the Instagram app. Shopping Stickers are a powerful tool for businesses looking to promote and sell their products on Instagram, providing a seamless and convenient shopping experience for their followers.

When customers tap on a product tag, they will see a product details page that includes a description of the product, the price, and a link to purchase the product on the business's website. Businesses can also use product tagging to indicate when a product is out of stock or no longer available for purchase, helping to manage customer expectations and prevent frustration. Also, Instagram provides businesses with insights and analytics on their product tags, including data on how many people are tapping on the tags, how many product page views are generated, and how many sales result from product tags.


Product tagging can be a powerful tool for businesses to increase product visibility, engagement, and sales on Instagram Shop. By following the eligibility requirements and best practices, businesses can make the most of this feature and create a seamless shopping experience for their customers.


Shop Tab

The Shop tab on Instagram Shop is a section on a business's Instagram profile that showcases all of their available products in one place. When customers visit a business's profile, they can tap on the Shop tab to browse through products, view prices, and make purchases without leaving the app.

The Shop tab is a powerful tool for businesses to promote their products and increase sales on Instagram. By having all of their products in one place, businesses can make it easier for customers to discover and shop for their products. Additionally, businesses can use the Shop tab to highlight featured products or collections, making it even easier for customers to find products that match their interests and preferences.

To set up the Shop tab, businesses must first meet the eligibility requirements for Instagram Shop and have a product catalog connected to their Instagram business account. Once these requirements are met, the Shop tab will automatically appear on the business's Instagram profile. Overall, the Shop tab is an important feature of Instagram Shop that businesses can use to increase product visibility, engagement, and sales on the platform. For more information on shop tab you can visit Neil Patel and check out their blog on instagram shop.


Instagram Checkout

When a user sees a product with the Checkout option enabled, they can tap on the product to see more information, such as size and color options, and then proceed to checkout and purchase the item without leaving Instagram. This eliminates the need to navigate to a separate website and enter payment and shipping information separately, making the purchase process faster and more efficient.

Instagram Collections

Collections in Instagram Shop are groups of products that businesses can create to organize their offerings and make it easier for customers to discover and purchase items. Each collection can include up to 30 products and can be customized with a unique name, description, and cover photo.

Businesses can create collections based on themes, categories, or product lines, and use them to showcase new arrivals, best-sellers, or seasonal items. Customers can browse collections by tapping on the "Shop" button on a business's Instagram profile, or by accessing the Shop tab on the Instagram app.


Collections can also be promoted through Instagram ads, Stories, and Explore, making them a powerful tool for businesses looking to increase their visibility and drive sales on the platform.

Instagram Shop Insights

Instagram Shop Insights is a tool that allows businesses to track the performance of their Instagram Shop. It provides businesses with important metrics, such as the number of views, taps, and purchases on each product, as well as the overall revenue generated from the Shop.


With Shop Insights, businesses can analyze the performance of their products, and adjust their strategies accordingly. For example, if a particular product is not generating as much revenue as expected, a business can use the insights to identify the issue and make changes to improve the product’s performance.


Instagram Shop Insights also provides businesses with demographic data about their customers, including age, gender, and location, allowing businesses to tailor their marketing and product strategies to better meet the needs of their audience.

Overall, Instagram Shop Insights is a valuable tool for businesses looking to optimize their Instagram Shop and increase sales.


Product Launches

Product Launches is a feature that allows businesses to create buzz and excitement around new product releases on the Instagram platform. With Product Launches, businesses can create a dedicated landing page for their new product, complete with countdown timers, product images, and purchase links.


Here's how businesses can use Instagram Shop Product Launches:

  1. Create a new product in their Instagram Shop.

  2. Choose the "Product Launch" option for the product.

  3. Set a date and time for the product launch.

  4. Customize the landing page with product images, descriptions, countdown timers, and purchase links.

  5. Publish the Product Launch to their Instagram Shop.

When the launch date arrives, the Product Launch page will go live, allowing users to view and purchase the new product directly from Instagram. The countdown timer adds an element of excitement and urgency, encouraging users to act quickly to purchase the product before it sells out.



Product Launches are a powerful tool for businesses looking to generate buzz and excitement around new product releases on Instagram. By creating a dedicated landing page for the product, businesses can provide a seamless shopping experience for their followers and drive sales on the platform.


Resources

Kayla Carmicheal (2019, October 3). The Hubspot blog 2023 Instagram Shopping The Ultimate Guide. from https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/instagram-shopping


Patel, N. (2023, August 29). How To Use Instagram Shop. Neil Patel. Retrieved 2023, from https://neilpatel.com/blog/instagram-shopping/


Stacey McLachlan. ( 2022, Aug. 18). Hoot Suite Blog. Instagram Shopping 101: Guide

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