BLOG

How to set up Instagram Shopping

Rhea Freeman - Social . Media. Marketing

Posted: Thu 6th Jan 2022

Instagram provides businesses with tons of opportunities when it comes to connecting to customers, finding new clients, and selling the products available too.

In this blog, Rhea Freeman, award-winning PR adviser and Facebook Lead Trainer, takes you through the step-by-step process of setting up Instagram Shopping.

How to set up an Instagram Shop

It’s easy to do and if you follow the simple steps below, you’ll be on your way to making sales in no time. Please note that in order to use Instagram Shopping, you need to have your own website.

Step 1: Make sure your business is in a supported market

You’ll find many countries in North America, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Latin America are in Facebook’s supported markets.

Step 2: Make sure your business complies with Facebook’s Commerce Policies

In simple terms, this means that you’re running your accounts well, that you’re being truthful and trustworthy, and that you’re using the platforms how they’re meant to be used.

Step 3: Make sure your Instagram account is an Instagram business account

Once you've done that, connect your Instagram business account to your Facebook page.

To see if your Instagram account is a business account, just go to Settings > Account, and you’ll be able to find your account type there. Then connect it to your Facebook page.

Step 4: Connect your Instagram business profile to a catalogue inside your Commerce Manager

Well done: you’ve laid the foundations and now we can complete the next steps to allow you to get Instagram Shopping working for you.

You can either connect to a catalogue you already have or you can create a new one. The catalogue provides a place where every product you want to promote on Instagram and Facebook is housed. This makes ads or simply tagging products so your customers can get to your website and buy them a whole lot easier.

Submitting your Instagram business account for review

As with ads, you'll need to submit your account for review. This is nothing to worry about but it will take a little bit of time to be completed.

It’s important that accounts are reviewed to help maintain the quality of the content that we see on social media, and to keep everyone as happy and safe as possible.

It’s really easy to submit your account for review:

Step 1: Go to your Instagram account and tap menu, then tap Settings
Step 2: Tap Business, then Set Up Instagram Shopping, then Get Started
Step 3: Connect to your Facebook page
Step 4: Connect to the catalogue you want to connect to, or select a partner from the list provided
Step 5: Confirm your website
Step 6: Submit your account for review

When your account has been approved, go back to the menu on your Instagram business account, then tap Settings, then Business, then Shopping and your account is ready to go!

Relevant resources

Rhea Freeman - Social . Media. Marketing

I help small businesses, solopreneurs and influencers promote themselves better with little to no budget. And as you'd guess, most of this is done around social media and digital. I usually work with businesses that have some connection to the rural or equestrian space, from being located there to serving there. I also run three Facebook groups, two of which are membership groups, to provide people who want upskill with additional support. In addition, I love speaking at events where I can help people get enthused and grow their confidence around social media, the power of digital, and how they have everything they need to get started.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this content is solely that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the view of Grow London Local. Grow London Local accepts no liability for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any material in this publication. We recommend that you obtain professional advice before acting or refraining from action on any of the contents of the content.