Your ultimate guide to launching an Instagram store

Instagram has officially blurred the line between scroll and shop. If you’ve been considering taking your side hustle online, this is your sign. Here, we provide tips on how to build it with style, confidence and strategy.

Step 1: Get acquainted with your brand identity.

Are you boho and earthy? Edgy and experimental? Luxe on a budget? Your brand identity will inform everything — from product photos to your IG bio. Don’t overthink it. You can evolve — but start with a vision that feels true to you.

Glam Tip:

Create a mood board or mini brand kit with your choice of colours, fonts and tone so your feed always feels cohesive.

Step 2: Switch to a Professional Account

When opening a shop, switching your profile to a Business or Creator account is key. Here’s how...

On your app:

Navigate to your profile on the bottom right.

• Select ‘Settings’ (the three lines on the top right)

• Open ‘Account type and tools’ and click on ‘Switch to professional account’

• Pick your business category (e.g. Clothing(Brand) or Health-beauty, )

• This gives you access to features like analytics, insights, branded content tools and (most importantly) Instagram Shopping features.

Step 3: Set up your shop

To gain traction to your business, you’ll need to create a catalogue. This can be done through Meta Commerce Manager (connects to your Facebook Page) or an e-commerce platform like Shopify, WooCommerce or Big Commerce. Once you’ve completed this step, you’ll be required to submit your shop for Instagram’s review. Getting approval means you’ll be able to tag products in your posts, reels and stories —so your followers can shop your products.

Glam Tip:

Tag your products in your feed the same way you’d tag friends. let every post be shoppable without feeling like a hard sell.

Step 4: Create content that converts

Your feed is like your storefront — aesthetics matter. So, keep in mind:

• Using high-resolution images (natural light is your BFF).

• Mixing product shots with lifestyle images.

• Creating reels showing your product in action.

• Sharing behind-the-scenes moments to build trust with your audience.

Step 5: Use Insights to grow

Instagram’s Insights is a built-in analytics tool that gives you detailed breakdown of your account’s performance. To help you maximise your business, you’ll discover:

• The best times to post.

• Which products get the most clicks.

• What your audience saves, shares and shops.

These insights can help you figure out what’s working and what isn’t so you can create impactful content and restock items that are in demand.

Step 6: Go beyond sales and connect with your customers/ audience

People value connection and knowing that they’re seen and heard. On Instagram, you can ask for opinions polls and engage in Q&As through Stories, Lives or DMs (don’t sleep on those chats!)

Glam Tip:

Ask your customers to tag you in their posts, and repost them. Build your community. Buyers become brand ambassadors when they feel seen.

BONUS: Your ‘Link in Bio’ matters. use your bio to drive traffic to:

Your website, WhatsApp for orders, Linktree (if you have multiple links) Remember to pair it with a strong call to actionlike “Discover our latest lip gloss” or “Glow up with our latest skincare range.”