How to Connect Shopify to Instagram Simple Guide
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In the digital age, taking advantage of social media is an important strategy for any online business. Among social platforms, Instagram is one of the best options for businesses to increase their visibility and engage with customers.
Connecting your Shopify Store to Instagram will help showcase your products to a pool of millions of users and increase your revenue.
In this guide, NextSky shows you how to connect Shopify to Instagram.
How Integrating Instagram With Your Shopify Store Helps Your Business
By linking Instagram to your Shopify store, you can turn your Instagram profile into a powerful sales channel, allowing you to showcase products directly to your followers.Â
- Shoppable posts and stories:Â Customers can easily view product details and make purchases without leaving the app, streamlining the buying process and reducing barriers to conversion.
- Reach new audiences:Â Make use of targeted ads, influencer collaborations, and organic posts, all of which link back to your Shopify store.Â
- Instagram valuable insights:Â You can see how your content performs, helping you optimize your campaigns and understand what resonates with your audience.
By connecting Instagram to Shopify, you not only increase brand visibility but also create a seamless shopping experience that drives traffic, engagement, and sales for your business.
Requirements to Connect Shopify to Instagram
To connect Shopify to Instagram and start selling directly through your Instagram account, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Instagram Business Account: You must have an Instagram Business or Creator account. Personal accounts are not eligible for shoppable features, so ensure your account is set up correctly.
- Facebook Page Linked to Instagram: Your Instagram Business account needs to be linked to a Facebook Page. You can only manage Instagram Shopping through Facebook Commerce Manager.
- Approved Facebook Commerce Account: You need a Facebook Commerce Account that complies with Facebook’s Merchant Agreement and Commerce Policies. This account is used to manage your catalog and enable product tagging on Instagram.
- Shopify Store with Facebook and Instagram Integration: Ensure your Shopify store is set up with the Facebook Sales Channel, which includes Instagram. This integration allows your product catalog to sync with Facebook and Instagram.
- Compliant Product Listings: Your products must meet Facebook’s Commerce Eligibility Requirements. Restricted or prohibited products (e.g., weapons, adult products) cannot be listed.
- Up-to-Date Product Catalog: Your Shopify store’s product catalog must be fully updated, including accurate pricing, descriptions, and stock availability.Â
- Supported Market and Currency: Instagram Shopping is only available in supported markets. Ensure your region and currency are eligible for Instagram Shopping features.
- Shopify Basic Plan or Higher: You need to be on Shopify’s Basic plan or higher to access the necessary sales channels and integrations.
How to connect Shopify to Instagram guide
Step 1: Create a Shopify StoreÂ
- Sign Up for Shopify: Go to the Shopify website and click on Start Free Trial. Enter your email address, password, and store name to create an account.
- Set Up Your Store: Once your account is created, you’ll be taken to your Shopify admin dashboard. Here, you can add products, customize your store’s theme, set up payment methods, and configure shipping options. Ensure your store looks professional and is ready for customers.
- Add Products: Navigate to Products on the left-hand menu and click Add Product. Fill in all the necessary details, including product titles, descriptions, images, pricing, and inventory. Make sure your product information is complete and accurate, as this data will sync with Instagram.
- Choose a Plan: To unlock all features, including sales channels, you’ll need to choose a Shopify plan. You can start with the Basic Shopify plan or higher to get access to the necessary integrations with Facebook and Instagram.
=>> Feel free to refer to this section in the article: Shopify Tutorial
Step 2: Create an Instagram Business Account
- Sign Up or Log In: Open Instagram and either log in with your existing account or create a new one by selecting Sign Up. If you already have a personal account, you can convert it to a business account.
- Convert to a Business Account:Â
Go to your Instagram profile, tap the three lines (menu) in the top right corner, and select Settings.
Tap Account, scroll down, and select Switch to Professional Account.
Choose Business when prompted and follow the steps to set up your business profile. You’ll be asked to select a category for your business and enter additional contact details like email, phone number, and address.
- Connect Your Instagram Account to a Facebook Page: To use Instagram Shopping, your Instagram Business account must be linked to a Facebook Page. This will be set up in the next steps but is essential to keep in mind as you prepare your profiles.
Step 3: Connect your Instagram Account to your Facebook page
- Log in to your Facebook account that has admin access to the Facebook Page you want to connect. Navigate to your business’s Facebook Page from the home screen.
- On your Facebook Page, click on Settings located in the left-hand menu at the bottom of the sidebar.
- In the Settings menu, find and click on Instagram from the left sidebar. This will take you to the Instagram settings page for your Facebook Page.
- Click on the Connect Account button and follow the instructions.
Step 4: Create a Facebook Shop
- Log in to Facebook and navigate to your business page.
- Go to Commerce Business Manager and click on the “Create a Shop.
- Click Create Up Shop, choose your checkout method (e.g., checkout on another website or via Facebook), and agree to Facebook’s Seller Terms.
- Follow Facebook's instructions to set up your Facebook Shop.
- Once everything is set, click Publish to make your shop live.
Step 5: Link your Facebook and Instagram Business Account to Shopify
- Log in to your Shopify admin and go to Sales Channels on the left sidebar. Click on Facebook.
- In the Facebook Sales Channel, click Get Started.
- Log in with your Facebook account credentials that have admin access to the Facebook Page linked to your Instagram Business account.
- Select the Facebook Page you want to connect to Shopify. Ensure this Page is linked to your Instagram Business account. Shopify will prompt you to verify the connection.
- Follow the instructions provided by Shopify.
- Once linked, you’ll be able to tag products on Instagram directly from your synced Shopify catalog.
Step 6: Enable Instagram Shopping
- Open the Instagram app, go to your profile, tap the three lines (menu) in the top right corner, and select Settings.
- In Settings, go to Business and tap Set Up Instagram Shopping. You’ll be prompted to connect to your linked Facebook Commerce Account.
- Instagram will review your account to ensure it complies with their commerce policies. This process may take a few days. Check your status in Settings > Business > Shopping.
- Once approved, go back to Settings > Business > Shopping and select your product catalog. Tap Done to complete the setup.
Step 7: Tag Shopify Products in Instagram Posts and Stories
- Create a new Instagram post.
- Click Tag Products. Search and select the product for your post.
- Set the tag to the relevant position on your post.
- Publish your post.Â
>>>> Read more:
Tips for increasing sales after integrating Shopify with Instagram
1. Create High-Quality, Engaging Content
Use high-quality images and videos that showcase your products in the best light. Focus on lifestyle content that shows how your products can be used in real life. Engaging visuals attract more clicks and keep your audience interested.
2. Use Shoppable Posts and Stories Effectively
Regularly use shoppable posts and stories to tag your products. This makes it easy for followers to browse and buy directly from your content without leaving Instagram. Utilize carousels and reels to highlight multiple products at once.
3. Leverage Instagram Reels and Video Content
Reels and videos have high engagement rates and are favored by Instagram’s algorithm. Use these formats to provide product demos, showcase new arrivals, or share behind-the-scenes content, while tagging your products for easy shopping.
4. Run Instagram Ads and Boost Shoppable Posts
Invest in Instagram Ads to reach a broader audience. You can target ads specifically to users who are likely to be interested in your products. Boost your best-performing shoppable posts to increase their reach and drive more sales.
5. Use Influencer Partnerships and User-Generated Content
Collaborate with influencers who align with your brand to promote your products. Share user-generated content featuring your products to build trust and social proof, encouraging more sales from their followers.
6. Optimize Your Instagram Bio and Profile
Make sure your Instagram bio is clear, engaging, and includes a call-to-action with a link to your Shopify store. Highlight special offers, new arrivals, or your best-sellers to direct more traffic.
7. Offer Exclusive Discounts and Promotions
Create Instagram-exclusive promotions, such as flash sales or discount codes, to encourage immediate purchases. Promote these offers in your posts and stories to drive quick sales.
8. Engage with Your Audience
Respond promptly to comments, DMs, and questions about your products. Engaging with your audience builds trust and encourages potential buyers to take the next step in their shopping journey.
9. Use Instagram Insights to Refine Your Strategy
Regularly analyze your Instagram Insights to see which types of posts, products, and content are performing best. Use this data to refine your strategy and focus on what resonates most with your audience.
10. Highlight Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Share positive reviews and testimonials in your posts and stories. Social proof is a powerful motivator and can help convert more followers into buyers.
