How to Start an Instagram Business Without an Online Store

Guide to Starting a Business on Instagram

Although Singapore's retail sector took a hit in 2020, the nation's appetite for shopping hasn't disappeared. COVID-19 lockdown measures led customers to turn to online shopping, resulting in tremendous growth in the e-commerce sector.

Starting a business on a digital platform like Instagram has become an increasingly viable and attractive option. With Instagram, you have an all-in-one platform where you can build your online presence, advertise, and sell your products. Here's how you can start a business selling on Instagram, even without an online store .

How to start a business on Instagram without an online store

Step 1: Set up a business account on Instagram

The first step to selling on Instagram without an online store is to sign up for an Instagram business account. If you already have a personal account, you can change it to a business account by following these steps:

1. Go to your Instagram profile.
2. Click on the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner.
3. Select 'Settings', then 'Account'.
4. Click 'Switch to Business Account'.
5. Add relevant business profile details (e.g., business category and contact information).
6. Link your Instagram business account to your Facebook business page.

With a business account, you get access to Instagram Insights, which allows you to view follower statistics to understand who's engaging with you. You can analyze the reach of your posts and get real-time feedback on your content's performance.

In addition to having an Instagram business account linked to a Facebook Page, your business must also be located in a supported marketplace, sell physical goods, and comply with Instagram's commerce policies.

Step 2: Connect to a Facebook catalog and sign up for Instagram Shopping

To sell on Instagram without an online store , it's essential to use Facebook's Catalog Manager to create a new catalog or connect to an existing one. Alternatively, you can use a Facebook Partner to set it up.

Next, go to 'Settings' → 'Business' → 'Set Up Instagram Shopping'. The Instagram Shopping feature is great because it allows customers to easily access your product, pricing, and information. Simply follow the instructions and submit your request. Then, wait for your account to be reviewed and approved.

Step 3: List your products with Instagram's shop feature

The next step to selling on Instagram without an online store is to list your products using the Instagram Shop feature. Take high-quality photos of your products and post them on Instagram. Include the product name, relevant details, and product tags. You can add a maximum of five product tags per image or video and a maximum of 20 product tags in multi-image posts.

Draw more attention to your main posts by highlighting products in Instagram Stories as well. Each story can include a product sticker, making it easy to shop directly from the story.

Step 4: Set up payments on Instagram

To sell on Instagram without an online store , setting up an efficient checkout method is crucial. With Instagram Shopping, customers can tap the "Buy Now" product tag to visit your business website and complete their purchase. However, if you don't have a website, you can set up a Checkout feature.

This in-app checkout allows customers to track their purchases, select items, and enter payment details without ever leaving Instagram. They can pay with Mastercard, American Express, Visa, PayPal, or Discover, making the shopping experience seamless and convenient.

Instagram tips to increase sales without an online store

Now that you've set up your Instagram business account, here are some tips to increase sales when selling on Instagram without an online store.

Tip 1: Optimize your photos

Instagram is a visual platform with an infinite scrolling feature built for mobile. If your photos aren't aesthetically pleasing, your target audience won't stop to look at them. So up your photography game. Read up on product photography and image editing.

Use Pinterest to save and find new ways to take product photos. Use relevant dimensions for different formats (i.e., 1:1 square aspect ratio for Instagram posts; 9:16 aspect ratio for Instagram Stories). High-quality images are essential for selling on Instagram without an online store.

Tip 2: Build your brand voice

Having a brand voice is just as important as maintaining a visually consistent Instagram feed. It allows you to increase customer engagement and makes it easier to solicit customer feedback and reviews. This is crucial for selling on Instagram without an online store, as trust and connection with your audience are paramount.

Here are 3 tips for writing subtitles:

1. Write subtitles as if you were talking to a friend; it's possible to be friendly and professional.
2. Understand that the general public is not concerned with technical terms or industry jargon.
3. Make sure your grammar and spelling are correct with tools like Grammarly.
4. Don't overuse emojis and hashtags.

Tip 3: Sell products by writing subtitles with clear CTAs

In 200 words or less, your subtitle should create a story, provide a clear CTA (call to action), and direct your customers to a link where they can find and/or purchase your product. Fenty Beauty is a global brand that excels at this.

Generally, these subtitles that sell a product follow this format:

1. Striking phrase.
2. Why you should care.
3. Some details of what the product is.
4. Where you can get the product or find more information.

Tip 4: Boost your page with Instagram ads

Bring your product to the masses using Instagram ads to reach your target audience. There are several types of Instagram advertising options to choose from:

• Photo (square or landscape).
• Video (up to 120 seconds long; square or landscape).
• Stories (on Instagram Stories).
• Carousel (2-10 photos or videos in one post).
• Collection (for customers to explore your products in image and video format).
• Ads (featured on the Explore page).

Start advertising by clicking on the Ad Manager feature to create your ad, select your target audience, and determine your ad budget.

Stretch your marketing budget by signing up for the Aspire Cashback Rewards Card. The Aspire Cashback Rewards Card gives you 1% cashback on your digital marketing and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) purchases. See the full list of eligible merchants here.

Tip 5: Have a separate business account for foreign currency transactions

If you're shipping products and/or materials from a foreign source, you'll want to set up a separate merchant account and transact in their foreign currency. Different suppliers offer various benefits when you sign up with them.

For example, the Aspire Corporate Card allows you to transact at Visa rates, with a low and transparent fee of 0.7%. This way, you get the best deals when paying in multiple currencies, especially if you're shipping goods from China.

Conclusion

Selling on Instagram without an online store can be a simple and efficient process if you follow the right steps and utilize the available tools. Optimize your profile, use the Instagram Shopping feature, and follow the tips to increase sales. With dedication and strategy, you can establish a strong and profitable presence on Instagram without the need for a traditional online store. Good luck on your journey to selling on Instagram without an online store!