How to Create an Instagram Shoppable Video to Increase Your Sales

In today's digital age, more and more businesses are finding innovative ways to leverage social media platforms for their marketing efforts. Instagram, in particular, has proven to be a powerful tool to reach potential customers and boost sales. One such innovation is Instagram Shoppable Videos, which allow brands to create engaging video content that showcases their products while enabling customers to shop directly from the video. In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about how to create an Instagram Shoppable Video that effectively drives sales for your business.

While you're here, can we make a suggestion? Try taking any shoppable video content you create for Instagram and adding it to your ecommerce site. Bring the social elements shoppers love about browsing Instagram to your site, boosting time on site, engagement, and ideally, conversions. You can get started with shoppable video on your site for free with GhostRetail.

Understanding Instagram Shoppable Videos

Before diving into creating your own Shoppable Video, it's crucial to know exactly what they are and why they can benefit your business.

Instagram has become a hub for businesses to showcase their products and services. With over 1 billion monthly active users, it's no surprise that businesses are looking for ways to stand out from the crowd. One way to do this is by utilizing Instagram Shoppable Videos.

What are Instagram Shoppable Videos?

Instagram Shoppable Videos are a relatively new addition to the platform, allowing brands to turn their video content into an interactive shopping experience. These videos include clickable product tags that, when tapped, lead viewers directly to the product page within the Instagram app. This seamless integration makes it easier than ever for users to discover and purchase products, all without leaving the app. Shoppable Videos can be utilized on your main feed, IGTV, or Instagram Stories, providing various opportunities to showcase your products and reach your target audience.

Shoppable Videos are not only beneficial for businesses, but they also provide a unique and interactive experience for users. By simply tapping on a product tag, users can learn more about the product and make a purchase without ever leaving the app.

Benefits of Using Shoppable Videos for Your Business

Utilizing Instagram Shoppable Videos comes with a host of benefits for businesses. For starters, they provide an immersive and engaging way to showcase your products, capturing the interest of potential buyers. Additionally, they make the shopping process straightforward and convenient, ultimately leading to increased conversions and sales. Furthermore, Shoppable Videos offer incredible potential for expanding your reach and audience, as they can easily be shared and discovered by new users.

Shoppable Videos also provide businesses with valuable insights into their audience's behavior. By analyzing the data provided by Instagram, businesses can better understand their audience's preferences and tailor their marketing strategies accordingly.

Overall, Instagram Shoppable Videos are a powerful tool for businesses looking to increase their sales and reach a wider audience. By providing an interactive and seamless shopping experience, businesses can capture the attention of potential buyers and ultimately drive more sales.

Setting Up Your Instagram Business Account

Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms with over a billion active users. It's no wonder that businesses are flocking to the platform to reach their target audience. Instagram Shoppable Videos is a feature that allows businesses to tag products in their videos and make them shoppable, giving customers a seamless shopping experience. However, before you can start using this feature, you need to ensure that your account is set up properly.

Creating an Instagram Business Account

If you haven't already, you'll need to switch to an Instagram Business account. This is because Shoppable Videos are only available to businesses. The good news is that switching to a Business account is easy. Simply go to your Settings tab, then select 'Switch to Professional Account.' Choose the 'Business' option and follow the prompts to complete the setup.

With a Business account, you'll not only be able to use Shoppable Videos, but you'll also gain access to additional features and insights that can help you grow your brand on the platform. For instance, you'll be able to view analytics data such as impressions, reach, and engagement, which can help you understand how your content is performing and make informed decisions about your marketing strategy.

Connecting Your Instagram Account to Facebook Catalog

Once your Business account is set up, the next step is to connect your Instagram account to a Facebook Catalog. This catalog will contain all the products you wish to feature in your Shoppable Videos. If you already have a catalog set up on Facebook, simply connect it to your Instagram account by going to your Instagram Settings, selecting 'Business,' then 'Shopping,' and choosing the catalog you wish to connect.

However, if you don't have a Facebook Catalog, you'll need to create one via Facebook Business Manager. This is a free tool that allows businesses to manage their Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as their advertising campaigns. Creating a Facebook Catalog is easy. Simply log in to Facebook Business Manager, go to the Catalog Manager, and follow the prompts to create your catalog. Once your catalog is set up, you can connect it to your Instagram account and start tagging products in your Shoppable Videos.

Overall, setting up your Instagram Business account and connecting it to a Facebook Catalog is a straightforward process that can help you take advantage of the powerful Instagram Shoppable Videos feature. By making your videos shoppable, you can provide your customers with a seamless shopping experience and increase your sales on the platform.

Creating Engaging Shoppable Video Content

With your account properly set up, it's time to focus on creating captivating video content that effectively showcases your products and entices viewers to make a purchase. But how do you create videos that stand out from the crowd?

One way to create engaging content is by telling a story. Consider incorporating a narrative into your videos that highlights the benefits of your products or shows how they can be used in real-life situations. This approach not only makes your content more interesting but also helps viewers connect with your brand on a deeper level.

Tips for Filming High-Quality Videos

High-quality, visually appealing videos are key to capturing your audience's interest. Ensure you use a stable camera, adequate lighting, and choose an engaging background for your videos. But don't stop there! Consider adding some personality to your videos by incorporating props or using unique camera angles to create a more dynamic viewing experience.

Another important factor to consider is sound quality. Poor audio can quickly turn viewers off, so invest in a quality microphone to ensure your message comes across loud and clear.

Lastly, try to keep your videos short and concise, as most viewers tend to lose interest after a few seconds. Additionally, consider using editing tools to enhance the overall look and feel of your content, such as filters, transitions, and music.

Showcasing Your Products Effectively

When featuring products in your Shoppable Videos, it's important to be strategic in their presentation. Clearly display each product, zooming in on specific details or unique selling points that set your items apart. Try incorporating a mix of close-ups, wide shots, and different angles to give viewers a comprehensive understanding of your products.

Furthermore, demonstrate how your products can be used or worn, helping viewers envision themselves using the item. Consider using models or influencers to showcase your products in a real-life setting, or even create a tutorial-style video that shows viewers how to use your products in a creative way.

Adding Captions and Hashtags for Maximum Reach

Captions and hashtags play a crucial role in the discoverability of your content. Craft captions that are engaging, informative, and accurately convey the purpose of your video. But don't stop there! Consider adding subtitles to your videos to make them more accessible to viewers who may be hearing impaired or watching without sound.

Incorporate a mix of popular and niche hashtags related to your industry, your products, or even your target audience's interests, to ensure your content reaches the right users. Don't be afraid to get creative with your hashtags, either! Consider creating a branded hashtag that viewers can use to share their own content featuring your products.

By following these tips, you can create shoppable video content that not only showcases your products but also engages and inspires viewers to make a purchase.

Tagging Products in Your Shoppable Video

Now that you've created an engaging video, it's time to turn it into a Shoppable Video by tagging your products. Shoppable Videos are a great way to increase sales and engagement on your social media platforms. By tagging your products, you're making it easier for your audience to purchase the items they see in your video.

But, how do you tag products in your video? It's actually quite simple!

How to Tag Products in Your Video

When uploading your video to Instagram, simply tap the 'Tag Products' option before sharing. From here, search for the items you want to tag from your connected Facebook Catalog and tap on the relevant product. Position the tag on the video where the product appears, and repeat this process for any additional items you'd like to tag. Once you're satisfied with the placement, proceed to share your Shoppable Video.

It's important to note that you can only tag products in videos that are 60 seconds or less. Additionally, you can only tag products in videos that you've uploaded to your Instagram profile, not videos that you've shared from other accounts.

Best Practices for Product Tagging

When tagging products, adhere to these best practices to optimize the shopping experience for your users:

• Ensure your product tags are accurately placed on the corresponding items to avoid confusion. If the tag is on the wrong item, it can lead to frustration and a negative shopping experience for your audience.
• Avoid overtagging your video, as this can make it look cluttered and may hinder user engagement. Instead, focus on tagging the most important and relevant products.
• Lastly, ensure the products in your Facebook Catalog have accurate and up-to-date information, including prices, descriptions, and available sizes or colors. This will help your audience make informed purchasing decisions.

By following these best practices, you can create a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience for your audience, which can lead to increased sales and customer loyalty.

Promoting Your Instagram Shoppable Video

With your Shoppable Video now live on your account, you'll want to focus on getting it in front of as many potential customers as possible.

Utilizing Instagram Stories and Highlights

Instagram Stories and Highlights offer additional opportunities to promote your Shoppable Video. Share your video as a Story and attach relevant stickers or swipe-up links to direct users to the post on your feed. Furthermore, consider creating a dedicated Highlight for your Shoppable Videos, making them easily accessible for visitors to your profile.

Collaborating with Influencers and Brand Ambassadors

Partnering with influencers or brand ambassadors can help expose your Shoppable Video to a larger, relevant audience. Choose partners who align with your brand values, have a genuine interest in your products, and boast an engaged following. Encourage them to create their own Shoppable Videos featuring your products, amplifying your reach and potential sales.

Running Instagram Ads for Increased Visibility

To maximize visibility, consider running targeted Instagram ads for your Shoppable Video. By investing in advertising, you can ensure your content reaches users who are most likely to be interested in your products, ultimately increasing the likelihood of conversions and sales.

Analyzing the Performance of Your Shoppable Video

It's essential to regularly analyze your Shoppable Videos' performance to determine their success and make improvements for future content.

Instagram Insights: Key Metrics to Track

Using Instagram Insights, track metrics such as video views, engagement, product clicks, and website visits to gauge the effectiveness of your Shoppable Videos. Additionally, monitor your sales and conversion rates to determine if your Shoppable Video strategy is resulting in an increase in revenue.

Adjusting Your Strategy Based on Performance Data

By analyzing these metrics, you can make informed adjustments to your Shoppable Video strategy. Identify which types of content perform best, what products are most popular, and what promotional techniques yield the highest success. Adapting your approach based on performance data will ultimately help you create more effective, revenue-generating Shoppable Videos in the future.

Instagram Shoppable Video Alternatives

In conclusion, Instagram Shoppable Videos offer a powerful, engaging way for businesses to showcase their products and drive sales. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to creating captivating Shoppable Videos that attract customers, increase conversions, and ultimately grow your business.

Pro tip: Instagram isn't the be all and end all for shoppable content. You can take any video you produce for Instagram and add it to your site, making it shoppable in seconds, with the power of GhostRetail. Get our shoppable video platform for free and start producing shoppable video in seconds.