A step-by-step guide to setting up an online shop in 2025

 setting up an online shop

Starting an online shop can feel like a big task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right tools and a clear plan, you can set up your store and start selling in no time. Whether you’re a small business owner or just getting started, in this step-by-step guide Resont will walk you through the process.

How to activate an Instagram shop?

Activating an Instagram shop involves several steps to ensure your business meets the eligibility criteria and is properly set up. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Make Sure You’re Eligible

Before you get started, check a few things:

• Your business needs to be in a country where Instagram Shopping is available.
• You should be selling physical products that meet Instagram’s rules.
• Your business must follow Instagram’s merchant agreement and commerce policies.
• You need your own website where people can buy your products.

2. Switch to a Business Account

If you don’t already have one:

• Open your Instagram app.
• Go to your profile and tap the menu (three lines).
• Tap Settings > Account > Switch to Professional Account, then select Business.

3. Connect to a Facebook Page

Instagram Shops work with Facebook, so you’ll need to connect your account:

• Go to your profile and tap Edit Profile.
• Under Public Business Information, tap Page.
• Select your Facebook Page (or create one if you don’t have one yet).

4. Add Your Product Catalog

There are two ways to do this:

• Use Meta Commerce Manager to add your products manually.
• Or, connect an e-commerce platform like Shopify or BigCommerce if you already sell there.

5. Submit Your Account for Review

Once everything’s set up:

• Go to Settings > Business > Sign Up for Shopping and follow the steps.
• Instagram will review your account. This can take a few days.

6. Turn On Shopping

Once you’re approved:

• Go to Settings > Business > Shopping.
• Choose the product catalog you want to feature.
• Tap Done.

That’s it! After you’re done, people will see a View Shop button on your profile. They’ll be able to browse and buy products right from your posts, stories, and reels.

How to post a product on an Instagram online shop?

Once your Instagram Shop is set up, adding products to your posts and stories is pretty straightforward. Here’s how to do it:

1. Make Sure Your Shop Is Ready

Before you post products:

• Your Instagram account should be a Business or Creator account.
• It should be linked to your Facebook Page.
• Your product catalog needs to be set up in Commerce Manager (or through Shopify, BigCommerce, etc.).

2. Tag Products in a Post

• Open Instagram and create a new post like you normally would.
• Add a photo of the product you’re selling.
• Tap Tag Products (you’ll see this option after adding your caption).
• Select the product from your catalog.
• Tap Share when you’re ready to post.

3. Tag Products in a Story

• Create a new story.
• Add a photo or video of your product.
• Tap the Sticker icon and select the Product sticker.
• Choose the product you want to tag from your catalog.
• Share your story.

4. Keep Your Catalog Updated

• Make sure your products, prices, and descriptions are accurate in Commerce Manager (or your e-commerce platform).
• Add new products regularly so your shop stays fresh.

5. Track and Improve

• Use Instagram Insights to see how your posts and stories are performing.
• If some posts are doing better than others, try to figure out why and adjust your approach.

Done! Tagging products makes it easy for people to shop directly from your posts and stories.

Content creation tips for an online shop

Creating helpful, engaging content is one of the best ways to attract customers and build trust in your online store. Here are a few simple tips to get started:

Know Your Audience

Start by understanding who your customers are. Find out what they like, what problems they’re trying to solve, and how they shop. Use surveys, social media insights, or website analytics to learn more about them. The better you know your audience, the easier it is to create content they care about.

Share Content That Connects

Create posts that show how your products can make life easier or better. Share simple stories, quick how-to guides, or short videos that explain how your products work. Interactive content like quizzes can also keep people engaged.

Encourage Customers to Share

Ask your customers to post photos or reviews of your products. Real customer experiences help build trust and make new shoppers more confident about buying from you.

Make Your Content Easy to Find

Use keywords your customers are searching for in product descriptions and blog posts. Make sure your product listings are complete and accurate, so they show up in search results.

Be Consistent

Post content regularly to stay on your customers’ radar. A simple posting schedule can help, but stay flexible and adjust when something timely or relevant comes up.

Use Quality Photos and Videos

Good visuals matter. Use clear, high-quality images that show your products in everyday use. For videos, keep them simple, with clear audio and an easy-to-follow message.

What tools should we use to sell on Instagram?

If you’re selling on Instagram, having the right tools can make things easier and help you reach more customers. Here are some helpful options to consider:

• Instagram Shopping. This is Instagram’s built-in feature that lets you tag products directly in your posts and stories. Customers can tap on the tags and buy without leaving the app.
• Resont. Resont helps you create content that’s optimized for engagement and sales. It gives you easy-to-use templates, post ideas, and tools to make your Instagram shop stand out and connect with your audience.
• Link-in-Bio Tools (like Linktree or Carrd). These tools let you add one link to your Instagram bio that leads to a page with multiple links. You can send people to your shop, blog, new products, or anything else you want to promote.
• Soldsie. With Soldsie, customers can buy products by commenting “sold” on your posts. It handles the invoicing automatically, making the process quick and simple.
• Curalate Like2Buy. This tool creates a shoppable gallery that you can link to from your bio. It’s a good way to showcase your products in one place.
• Shop Social. Shop Social lets you tag several products in a single post and integrates with your website. It gives customers an easy shopping experience from Instagram to checkout.
• Hootsuite. Hootsuite helps you plan, schedule, and track your Instagram posts. It’s useful if you want to stay consistent and see which posts perform best.
• Customers.ai. This tool lets you automate customer interactions with chatbots. It’s helpful for answering common questions or sending updates, even when you’re not online.
• Inselly. Inselly turns your Instagram feed into a simple marketplace where you can list your products and sell directly.
• Instafeed and Covet.pics (for Shopify). If you use Shopify, these tools help you display your Instagram photos on your store’s website and make them shoppable.

Using these tools can save you time and help make shopping from your Instagram easier for your customers.