Using Instagram With Shopify to Boost Conversions: Benefits and Guide
Published February 10, 2022.
The use of social media and e-commerce shopping platforms has reached an all-time high, with Instagram quickly becoming the newest social media platform for online retailers using Shopify. This omnichannel approach to business can help boost conversions by generating brand awareness, customer loyalty, and lead generation.
This article looks at Instagram shopping, the benefits of linking Instagram to your Shopify store, and gives you the steps to do so.
What Is Instagram Shopping?
Instagram Shopping is a new form of electronic commerce that allows for the purchase of products directly from the images on an Instagram post. Purchases are made by clicking or tapping on an image, which brings up a detail page with more information about the product and its cost before directing the user to their desired payment method.
This creates a very accessible shopping experience. With high engagement rates and a billion monthly active users, you’d be crazy not to leverage Instagram as a sales channel. Just be aware of Instagram's shopping fees, which are set at 5% per shipment or a flat fee of $0.40 for shipments of $8.00 or less.
How to Link Shopify and Instagram
Step 1: Switch Instagram Account to Professional
- Open the Instagram app and go to your business’ profile.
- From your profile, tap the ☰ icon.
- Tap the “Settings” option.
- Tap “Account” and then “Switch to Professional Account”.
- Select the category your business falls within, confirm your contact details, and be sure to connect the Instagram profile to your business’ Facebook Business Page.
Step 2: Setup Instagram Shopping Through Facebook’s Sales Channel
- From your Shopify dashboard, select “Facebook sales channel” and then “Overview”.
- Click “Set up to start” under the “Instagram Shopping” section.
- Next, connect the Facebook account to the Facebook sales channel.
- Accept the terms and conditions and apply for a review by clicking “Request approval”.
Step 3: Add Shopify Products to Instagram
- Once your application has been approved, reopen your business’ profile on Instagram and head back to the “Settings” section.
- Once there, tap “Business”, then “Shopping”, and confirm your Facebook account.
- Select the Shopify product catalog you’d like to connect and tap “Done”.
- Ensure the products are shoppable.
- If you need to make any changes, edit the product listing on Shopify and publish the updated version to Facebook.
Benefits of Linking Shopify and Instagram
Customer Reach
The linking of Shopify and Instagram increases customer reach by providing a platform for users to showcase their products through a visual medium - a powerful strategy for invoking an emotional response from customers and subsequently boosting conversions.
Brand Discovery
Linking Shopify and Instagram increases brand discovery by integrating different marketing channels to reach a wider audience. The integration, which includes the creation of a storefront on Shopify that functions as a feed on Instagram, has been successful in driving traffic to brands' websites and increasing sales.
Instagram Ads
Ads on the Instagram platform are primarily illustrated with images or videos, making them an excellent choice for many types of products. Instagram ads are also an excellent way to generate leads as it's one of the few platforms that doesn't discriminate against businesses without a significant following.
Hashtags
Hashtags are tools for categorizing similar posts under common topics. Creating an Instagram hashtag for your Shopify products will make it easier for people to find your posts and products. If you want to draw attention to a specific product, such as a new release, you can promote the hashtag in posts on other social media sites or use paid advertising on social media that targets Instagram users.
Shop Tabs
Shopify business owners can optimize their online storefronts with Instagram shop tabs, making it easy for shoppers to find the product they are looking for on Instagram. Furthermore, the tabs help increase sales by reducing the need for customers to browse through search engines or social media feeds to find the products they want. If customers can't find what they're looking for, they will usually abandon their shopping carts and look elsewhere.
Influencers
A retailer can use influencers on Instagram to enhance their digital marketing campaign. A company could assign specific tasks such as posting pictures of the products they sell on Instagram and sharing them with their followers. The more followers an individual has, the more influence they have, and the easier it is for a business to reach a wider audience.
Removing friction
Instagram removes friction throughout the shopping experience, enabling a quick and easy way to purchase a product. Conversion rate experts will tell you: The easier it is to make a purchase, the higher conversion rates are likely to be.
Increased Sales Through Integration
With Instagram's Shopify integration, consumers can purchase products in-app without ever leaving the platform. This feature ties in the two major social media platforms to create a seamless shopping experience, which has been shown to increase sales. The in-app store allows for consumers to mix and match different product options, browse through different collections, and even preview swatches of color before making a purchase.
By leveraging great-looking photos and a little effort, you can boost your site’s traffic, increase sales, and take home more profit than ever before. Couple these efforts with a profit/revenue analysis tool and you’ve got yourself a serious marketing strategy that is sure to take your online business to new heights.
