Great news! You know those little shopping bag stickers on Instagram where you can click to buy? You’re now able to use them in your Instagram Stories. Meaning, you have the ability to make more sales on Instagram!
Here’s everything you need to know about creating shoppable Instagram posts.
How to Create Shoppable Instagram Posts
Shopping happens everywhere. That’s why last year Instagram rolled out shoppable posts. Businesses are able to tag their products from their inventory or e-commerce website. It was so popular, Instagram also added shoppable Stories.
With just one tap, potential customers can see your item name, price, and description.
When creating your shoppable Instagram posts there are two important things to focus on: images and descriptions. While people aren’t physically walking into your storefront, you want to create an experience that still feels emotionally connected and provides high value.
#1 Pick Instagram Images That Provide a Retail Experience
The first step to creating an engaging shoppable Instagram post is to focus on what you’re selling.
There’s no point in sharing a photo of your product if people won’t understand its use. Whatever you’re selling, start with an image of the product being used in real life. In might seem obvious to you, but someone who is quickly scrolling will need this added clarity.
Think about the experience you would provide in a storefront.
- How would your staff share the product with a customer?
- How would you display it?
- How does the product fit in with your brand’s overall aesthetic?
Once you have that clear vision in your mind, you’re ready to take your photos. Remember to focus on details. If someone is on the fence about making a purchase, smaller details can entice them to make a purchase.
One brand that does this really well is Vetta. As a clothing company that specializes in sustainable and versatile wardrobe essentials, they know that their ideal customers are looking to take the stress out of styling their wardrobe. That’s why Vetta often shares photos showing the variety of ways an item can be worn. By sharing these images consistently, sometimes of the same clothing option, they reinforce their brand’s core values without being overly salesy. Both of these details make their customers more confident to tap, tap, buy.
#2 Instagram Descriptions Can Make or Break a Post
I’m not exaggerating. Your image descriptions are a goldmine for your customers, and you can use this space to better explain why your product is perfect for them.
While you don’t want to state the obvious, this is your chance to provide added value to your ideal customer. You might include information like:
- When the product is available
- If the product is on sale
- When the product is in stock
You can also use your descriptions to create this sense of urgency. A chance to stop people in their scroll.
That’s exactly what Real Techniques, a company specializing in innovative makeup brushes, does in their shoppable posts. They know that their customers want to stay in the loop on the latest makeup techniques. Whether it’s another way to use one of their brushes or a new makeup technique, they use their shoppable posts to illustrate why their brushes stand out from the competition.
Ninja Tip: If you're selling more than one product, use the swipe up feature.
You can tag multiple shoppable products in your feed, but only one in your shoppable Instagram Stories. That’s why sometimes if you’re selling more than one product, you might want to encourage people to swipe up or click the link in your Instagram bio.
Want to learn more about shoppable Instagram posts and how to grow your business on Instagram?
Instagram is constantly evolving and adding new features that create a better experience for both businesses and customers. With so many lifestyle and e-commerce brands on Instagram, the ability to tag and sell directly in the app is a game changer for businesses.
But, shoppable posts are not the only way you can stand out and attract the attention of potential customers. Make sure to check out my free Instagram Strategy Guide. This 12-page download is packed with everything you need to know about how you can leverage the power of Instagram and the seven main areas you need to focus on to get started. Every day we hear from people that would totally pay for this … but we like to overdeliver … so it’s always FREE!
