What You Should Know About Instagram Checkout

Since 2019, Instagram Checkout has been in beta testing. It will soon be released to the public and could become your new, best marketing tool, turning followers into instant customers! 

What is Instagram Checkout

Instagram Checkout is an add-on feature allowing users to purchase products without ever leaving the app. Customers can click on a product to see details; then, with one additional tap, they can enter their personal information, pay, and purchase. Instagram Checkout was initially tested using 26 brands, including (Zara, Revolve, Warby Parker, and Nike). Brands who are currently using Checkout love the potential of it.

Instagram Checkout is not currently open to all brands yet, and it is only available in the U.S. Most likely, once it is released to the public, it will also be expanded to other countries.

How Can My Business Benefit from Instagram Checkout?

Once it is rolled out, Instagram Checkout will have tons of features for small, medium, and large businesses. The ability to turn a follower into a customer with two taps is huge, not to mention you get curated into Instagram’s @shop account where your brand will get even more exposure. 

If you are curious about the fees, according to Instagram’s Business Help Center, “The selling fee is 5% per shipment or a flat fee of $0.40 for shipments of $8.00 or less. You keep the rest of your earnings.”

You can also use a third-party option such as Later’s Linkin.bio! to turn your Instagram feed into a linked page tagging your products for sale. 

How to Drive Sales Using Instagram Checkout

One of the best ways to drive sales is to use product tags in your posts. Your followers can “tap to shop” by tapping a post to see details and buy instantly using Instagram Checkout. 

Calls to Action

Use calls to action on your captions with hashtags linked to your products. Make it as easy as possible for your customers to find your wares and buy them quickly. 

Exclusive Instagram Checkout Launches

Consider launching certain products only on Instagram to create the lure of exclusivity. Limited edition products work great here!

Use Those Comments

Since Instagram shopping is new, you will want to find creative ways to guide your followers to shop. Consider putting product details in your comments. 

Partner with Influencers

Also launched in 2019, Instagram rolled out Shopping from Creators allowing influencers and celebrities to add shopping tags to their posts. Consider partnering with an influencer and ask them to endorse your products with a quick mention in a post. Their followers can click to buy your offerings without ever leaving Instagram. 

Instagram Stories Product Stickers

Don’t forget about Instagram Stories. Use shoppable product stickers in your Stories to drive even more traffic to your product lines. 

Before Instagram opens up Checkout to everyone, now is the time to strategize and plan how you will use this fantastic new feature to connect with your audience more deeply and convert followers into customers.