So, you’ve got a killer product line, a well-curated Instagram page, and a loyal following. Now, it’s time to take things to the next level—by adding a “View Shop” button to your Instagram profile. This little button might seem like a small feature, but it can make a huge difference. Think of it as the virtual welcome mat to your storefront, inviting people to browse, shop, and (hopefully) buy while they’re casually scrolling through cat memes and influencer selfies.
But how do you actually get this magical button on your Instagram? Don’t worry—I’m about to walk you through the entire process, step by step. Whether you’re an e-commerce newbie or a seasoned seller, I’ve got you covered. And yes, we’ll throw in some light humor along the way, because adding a “View Shop” button should feel fun, not like an IRS audit.
1. Make Sure You’re Eligible (No, Not Everyone Can Have a Shop)
Before you get too excited about adding that sleek little button to your profile, let’s start with the basics: eligibility. Instagram isn’t handing out “View Shop” buttons like free candy. You need to meet a few criteria first:
- You need a business or creator account: If you’re still using a personal account to sell your products, it’s time to level up. Switch to a business or creator account (don’t worry, it’s free) so you can access all the cool Instagram shopping features.
- You must sell physical products: Sorry, digital product sellers—Instagram shopping is strictly for businesses that sell physical goods like clothes, skincare, or your grandma’s homemade candles.
- Your business must comply with Instagram’s commerce policies: Instagram has a list of rules you’ll need to follow, including selling legal products and being located in a supported market. Basically, no shady business dealings here.
Pro Tip: Double-check your product eligibility by reviewing Instagram’s Commerce Eligibility Requirements. It’s boring, but it’ll save you from potential headaches down the road.
Imagine explaining to Instagram that your “digital love potions” are actually physical products. Yeah, that probably won’t fly.
2. Connect Your Instagram to a Facebook Shop (Because They’re Basically Best Friends)
Once you’ve confirmed that your business meets the requirements, the next step is to set up your Facebook Shop. Yes, you read that right—Facebook. Instagram’s shopping features are powered by Facebook, which means you’ll need to link the two accounts to get started.
Here’s how to set up your Facebook Shop:
- Create a Facebook Business Page: If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to set up a Facebook Business Page. Think of it as your Instagram shop’s backstage pass.
- Set up a Facebook Shop: Head to your Facebook Business Page, go to the “Shop” tab, and start setting up your Facebook Shop. You’ll need to add products, descriptions, and prices. Once this is done, you’ll be ready to connect it to Instagram.
- Connect your Instagram to Facebook: In your Instagram app, go to Settings > Business > Set Up Instagram Shopping, and follow the prompts to link your Facebook Shop.
Pro Tip: Make sure your product catalog is up-to-date and accurate before linking to Instagram. If you’ve got typos or missing info, it’ll show up on your Instagram Shop, and nobody likes a confusing shopping experience.
You know that moment when you finally connect two apps and they just work seamlessly together? Yeah, this is one of those moments—except with more potential for sales.
3. Submit Your Account for Review (And Wait Patiently Like It’s a Job Application)
Now comes the part that requires a little patience: submitting your account for review. Instagram wants to make sure everything’s in order before they roll out the red carpet and give you that “View Shop” button.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Go to Settings > Business > Set Up Instagram Shopping: Follow the steps and submit your account for review.
- Wait for approval: Instagram’s review process can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. Use this time to perfect your shop, upload quality photos, and make sure everything’s ready for the big debut.
Pro Tip: If your account isn’t approved, don’t panic! You’ll get feedback on why it didn’t pass the review, and you can fix any issues before reapplying.
Waiting for Instagram to approve your shop feels a bit like waiting for a text back from your crush. Except this time, your sales depend on it.
4. Tag Products in Your Posts (Because People Love to Shop While They Scroll)
Once your Instagram Shop is approved, it’s time to get to the fun part—tagging products in your posts! This is where you start turning those casual likes into potential sales. Whether you’re sharing product photos, behind-the-scenes shots, or influencer collaborations, tagging your products makes it easy for your followers to shop without ever leaving Instagram.
How to tag products:
- Create a post (like you normally would).
- Before you publish, tap “Tag Products”.
- Select the product from your catalog that you want to tag in the post.
- Publish the post—and boom, your product is now shoppable!
Pro Tip: Don’t just tag products in your feed posts. You can also tag products in Stories, Reels, and even Instagram Live to maximize your exposure.
Remember the last time you saw a post, wanted the product, but had no idea where to buy it? Yeah, don’t let that happen to your customers. Make it easy for them to shop.
5. Add the “View Shop” Button (Because This Is What We’ve Been Building Up To)
Okay, the moment you’ve been waiting for: adding that glorious “View Shop” button to your profile. Once Instagram approves your shop, they’ll automatically add the “View Shop” button to your bio, making it super easy for your followers to browse and buy directly from your Instagram page.
How it works:
- The “View Shop” button will appear just below your bio, right next to the “Message” and “Follow” buttons.
- When people click it, they’ll be taken directly to your Instagram Shop, where they can browse all your products in one place. It’s like having a mini storefront on one of the most popular social platforms in the world.
Pro Tip: Now that you’ve got the button, keep your shop fresh by regularly updating it with new products, seasonal collections, and special promotions.
Random thought: Ever clicked on a “View Shop” button out of curiosity and ended up buying something you didn’t even know you needed? Yeah, that’s the power of this button.
6. Promote Your Shop (Because Now You’ve Got to Get People There)
You’ve set up your Instagram Shop, tagged your products, and added the “View Shop” button. But now, you need to get people to actually use it. Promoting your shop is key to driving traffic and making sales.
Here’s how to do it:
- Run Instagram Ads: Use Instagram’s ad platform to create targeted campaigns that drive traffic to your shop.
- Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with influencers in your niche to showcase your products and drive traffic to your profile.
- Host Giveaways: Create a buzz around your shop by hosting giveaways where participants have to visit your shop or tag products to enter.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to use Instagram Stories and Reels to promote your shop. These short-form videos are a great way to show off your products in a fun, engaging way.
Picture your followers clicking that “View Shop” button, falling in love with your products, and completing their purchase—all without ever leaving Instagram. That is the dream.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to get the “View Shop” button on Instagram?
It usually takes anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks for Instagram to review and approve your shop after you submit your account. Once approved, the “View Shop” button will automatically appear on your profile.
2. Can I sell digital products with the Instagram “View Shop” button?
No, Instagram Shopping is currently only available for physical products. Digital products, services, and subscriptions aren’t eligible for Instagram Shops.
3. Do I need a Facebook Shop to add a “View Shop” button on Instagram?
Yes! Since Instagram’s shopping features are powered by Facebook, you’ll need to set up a Facebook Shop and connect it to your Instagram business account.
4. What if my shop isn’t approved by Instagram?
If your shop isn’t approved, Instagram will provide feedback on why it didn’t pass the review. You can fix any issues and resubmit your account for approval once you’ve addressed the concerns.
5. Can I add the “View Shop” button to my personal Instagram account?
No, you need a business or creator account to access Instagram Shopping features, including the “View Shop” button.
Final Thoughts
Adding a “View Shop” button to your Instagram profile is one of the easiest ways to turn your social media presence into a shoppable experience. It allows your followers to seamlessly browse and buy your products without ever leaving the platform, making it easier than ever to turn those likes and follows