How to Sell on Instagram Without a Website in 2023?
Are you setting up a new e-commerce brand eager to start selling? Do you wish to sell on the Internet but don't have a website? Then, how can you expect your company to attract clients if it has yet to have one? The good news is that you don't need a website to earn sales. All you need is a free platform that has been used for years.
Instagram is most known for posting selfies, photographs of your pets, and pictures from vacations. On the other hand, small companies have turned Instagram into an extremely effective e-commerce platform for direct selling to consumers (D2C).
In this article, you’ll learn how to manage your e-commerce Instagram store without needing a personal domain. Keep reading to learn how to sell things on Instagram without a website.
Can You Sell on Instagram Without a Website?
If you aren't on Instagram yet, you are missing out on a monthly audience of 2 billion people, half of whom check Instagram stories every day!
Do you need a website to sell on Instagram? The answer is no. If you are just getting started with your e-commerce business and have a limited budget, you do not need to spend much money on website development. If you want to sell goods, you can use Instagram to reach potential customers with interesting content and amazing product images.
While your website is being built, you can use Instagram to raise brand recognition and sales. Instagram can assist you in increasing direct sales of your goods.
Once your website is up and running, you can link it in your bio and lead clients to it for purchases.
Why Sell Products on Instagram?
Because of its large user base and highly visual nature, selling things on Instagram has grown in popularity.
Pros
1. Wide client base
With over one billion active users, Instagram provides companies with a large audience to promote and sell their items to. This extensive reach enables companies to tap into a wide pool of potential customers and increase their brand visibility.
2. Visual appeal
Instagram is largely a visual platform that allows companies to showcase their products via high-quality photographs and videos. This aesthetic attractiveness might strongly influence customers' purchase decisions.
3. Engaging content
Instagram features such as stories, reels, and IGTV enable businesses to produce interesting content that shows their goods, tells a story, and engages with their audience on a more personal level.
4. Direct sales opportunities
Instagram offers a variety of features, such as product tags and the option of including links in the bio or swipe-up hyperlinks in Stories. These capabilities enable businesses to easily send customers to their online store or product page easily, resulting in direct sales possibilities.
5. Targeted advertising
Facebook, Instagram's parent company, provides sophisticated advertising capabilities that enable businesses to target specific demographics, interests, and behaviors. This tailored strategy guarantees that companies reach their target demographic and boost the likelihood of turning them into clients.
6. Collaboration with Influencers
Instagram has a large network of influencers who greatly influence consumer purchase decisions. Collaboration with relevant influencers can help firms reach a larger audience, create trust, and increase sales.
7. Customer engagement
Instagram includes comments, direct messaging, and polls, allowing for direct connection and consumer involvement. This engagement can potentially establish relationships, increase brand loyalty, and increase sales.
8. Useful insights and analytics
Businesses may gain significant data and statistics from Instagram regarding their followers, engagement rates, and content success. This information enables organizations to better identify their target demographic, customize their marketing tactics, and make data-driven decisions to maximize their sales efforts.
Cons
While selling products on Instagram can have its advantages, it's essential to consider some potential drawbacks.
1. Limited functionality
When compared to specialist online selling platforms, Instagram's e-commerce options are fairly limited. Customization, product classification, and payment choices may be restricted for businesses.
2. High competition
Instagram is a competitive marketplace, particularly for product-based businesses. Distinguishing from countless other companies and personalities may be difficult, necessitating strong branding and one-of-a-kind marketing methods.
3. Dependence on visuals
Instagram, being a visual medium, places a high value on aesthetics. Businesses with aesthetically appealing items may benefit, but those with less visually appealing products might find it hard to attract new customers.
4. Inability to control the user experience
Unlike having your own website, selling on Instagram requires you to rely on the platform's interface and user experience. You have little influence over the entire buying experience and may be forced to follow Instagram's style and structure.
How To Sell On Instagram Without A Website: Tips and Strategies
Here's a comprehensive guide on how to set up an Instagram shop without a website by establishing an online presence through visual branding. This implies you may use Instagram to gain exposure before you're ready to launch an entire website. Choose a niche and products or services to sell, and follow these instructions.
1. Create a business account
If you want to sell on Instagram without a website you have to start by creating a separate business account. Instagram for Business provides a variety of tools and capabilities for measuring success and reaching new audiences. Instagram Business will also assist you in developing a professional identity for your brand.
Go to Settings —> Account —> Switch to Professional Account in your Instagram profile. Then enter the details needed to set up your new Instagram business account.
These are the benefits of having a professional business account on Instagram:
- Instagram insights. A built-in analytical tool that provides vital information such as how well your content is performing.
- Promoted posts and advertising. Pay to promote your posts or advertise them in your followers' feeds.
- Shop in application. Customers may shop on Instagram without having to leave the app.
- Swipe-up links. Instagram allows users with over 10,000 followers to include swipe-up links in their stories.
- Add valuable information. Include contact information, such as your phone number and email address, so your customers can contact you quickly.
2. Adjust your account configuration
It's now time to create the greatest Instagram business account. This is the stage at which you demonstrate your company's authenticity and gain client confidence.
- Set a clean and professional profile image.
- Create an effective and concise bio.
- Showcase product reviews and satisfy consumers.
- Make Instagram highlight albums for various items or categories.
Now that you have an Instagram company profile, isn't it time to make some money? Hold on. First and foremost, we want to ensure your profile appeals to potential customers. Then, when it comes to your bio, the number of characters you may use is very restricted, so use them wisely.
For example, a single emoji (and consequently a single character) may occasionally communicate a thousand words. Resist the impulse to use emojis excessively, and only use them if you believe they would be relevant to your audience's style. Additionally, include your phone number and email address in your profile.
To create a stunning Instagram bio within the 150-character limit, adhere to the following guidelines:
- Define a concise statement in one sentence that identifies your brand's unique selling point. Showcase your expertise and establish your credibility.
- Make it easier for potential consumers to convert by having a clear call-to-action (CTA).
- Include your business's contact details such as a phone number or email address to facilitate communication between potential customers and your company.
Instagram only allows users to link to external websites through their bio. It is not possible to put links in captions. As a result, users commonly tag their posts with "link in bio". Therefore, provide a link in your bio that will assist your company in selling on Instagram.
Your bio should convey your company's core and inform your audience on how to purchase from you.
3. Add a simple payment method
If you sell on Shopify or Bigcommerce, you can easily sync your products with your Instagram business account and allow your consumers to purchase without leaving the website.
However, you may build a simple method without a website. Include an online pre-order form in your Instagram bio as one approach. You can quickly create one by using Getform.
If you do not want to go down this road, there is another option. For example, if you don't have a website, you may just use the comment section. Use the scarcity principle to urge people to buy before the item becomes more widely available.
4. Accept orders
After your profile is set up and customized, you're ready to exhibit items to your customers.
However, how would you take orders on Instagram? There are several ways to accomplish this. Depending on your own preferences, you can take orders through any of the following channels:
- Accept orders personally
Provide contact information, such as a WhatsApp chat link or a mobile number, or invite them to direct message you on Instagram to place a purchase. This allows you to interact with customers more personally and assist them with their purchases. Before processing the purchase, be sure you collect advance payments from consumers by bank or wallet transfer.
- Add payment link in bio
Include payment links or details in your Instagram bio and urge customers to pay for what they wish to buy. This not only saves time but also increases the likelihood of completing a sale.
- Provide an order form
If you don't want to manage everything manually, implementing an order form might be a decent solution. Customers should be directed to an order form where they can make payments and place their purchases.
5. Be creative
You're undoubtedly aware that you'll compete with many other e-commerce brands on Instagram. Therefore, you need to find ways to distinguish yourself! Posting amazing photographs is a good start, but you should also use your post descriptions.
Captions aren't simply for telling potential customers how to buy from you. You should amuse them before they make a purchasing choice. You may also use captions to explain your item or construct a picture of what life could be like if you had it.
Take some time to understand who your target audience is, what tone of voice they react to, and how this aligns with your brand before you start posting solely to announce new goods.
6. Grow your business on Instagram
Finally, it's time to expand your Instagram online selling company. Remember that Internet selling is rarely a one-day success. Online companies thrive on consistent branding. There is no other alternative!
Here are some practical Instagram ideas to help you succeed:
- Post reels, photographs, videos, and tales regularly;
- Use relevant hashtags to increase your reach;
- Run efforts to engage the public, such as freebies;
- Go live and interact with your consumers;
- Respond to consumer remarks and comments;
- Share client feedback and participate in brand mentions.
Keep in mind that Instagram only allows you to use 30 hashtags per post. To maximize your reach, you should take advantage of all of them.
7. Cultivate your community to grow your brand
Unlike a standard online experience, you may initiate a discussion with your consumers. This helps you build trust, learn what they want, and convert them into passionate followers.
Remember to consider the potential of the Instagram community to sell things. Make an effort to react to all comments so your audience feels heard. The more compact you are, the more sustainable this method is. So take advantage of your low beginnings and start cultivating your relationship with your audience immediately.
8. Make use of Instagram stories
In your Instagram stories, include user-generated material. Request your consumers provide product testimonials on their Instagram profiles and tag you in their photos. Creating fascinating Instagram stories about your goods can increase your viewership well above your expectations.
Showcase items on Instagram Stories in the way of a catalog or lookbook. Create unboxing stories and include behind-the-scenes photos to show your customers that your company is more than just items.
Conclusion
Selling on Instagram without a website is easy! You'll need a strategy to maintain and grow your social media presence while also using it to pitch new clients. You can run a successful e-commerce store without a website if done right. You will also be able to communicate with your audience much more efficiently, which is excellent for creating loyal followers in the early stages of your e-commerce business.
With the right approach, social media presence can serve as a powerful tool for building brand loyalty and establishing a strong foundation for a successful e-commerce venture. So, don't underestimate the potential of selling on Instagram without a website – it could be the key to unlocking your business's growth and success.
