Connecting Shopify with Instagram has become an essential element for online business success. This article explains in detail how to connect Shopify and Instagram from three angles: shopping features, posts, and direct messages (DMs). We'll cover the benefits of each integration method, specific setup steps, and even introduce useful Shopify apps, providing comprehensive information.
Connecting Shopify with Instagram Shopping
What Is Instagram Shopping?
Instagram Shopping refers to a feature that lets you showcase products directly on the Instagram platform. Using this, a business account can tag its products in Instagram posts and Stories, letting users click the tag directly to access the product's detail page or make a purchase.
Benefits of Connecting with Instagram Shopping
Improved visibility
Instagram's highly visual platform lets you effectively showcase eye-catching product images.
Simplified purchasing process
Customers can skip the hassle of searching for products featured on Instagram, simplifying the purchasing process.
Improved customer experience
As noted above, simplifying the purchasing process and designing an experience where customers can easily buy products can be expected to improve the overall customer experience.
How to Connect Instagram Shopping with Shopify
1. Check the eligibility requirements
2. Switch your Instagram account to a professional account
3. Add the Facebook channel to Shopify
4. Set up Instagram Shopping
5. Complete domain verification
For details, please refer to the page below.
How to Set Up Instagram Shopping | Official Shopify Blog
Connecting Shopify with Instagram Posts
What Are Instagram Posts?
In this article, "Instagram posts" refers to feed posts and Reels (Instagram's short-form videos).
Benefits of Connecting with Instagram Posts
Improved customer trust
Displaying Instagram content posted by users who have actually purchased or used your products improves credibility with new customers. Showing that customers are genuinely satisfied lowers the psychological barrier to purchasing.
Ensures content freshness
Using a Shopify app that displays your Instagram feed on your Shopify store in real time keeps your store's content constantly up to date. This eliminates the need for store owners who aren't posting on Instagram to regularly update their site.
Can be expected to have a positive effect on SEO
Displaying an Instagram feed keeps visitors on the page longer as they scroll through and browse the feed posts, which can lead to improved SEO (search engine optimization). Longer time on page can also improve evaluation from search engines, potentially raising your organic search ranking.
If you'd like to implement SEO measures on Shopify, please also refer to the blog article below.
How to Connect with Instagram Posts
Method ①: Use Instagram's embed feature
Using Instagram's embed feature means copying the embed code for the creative you want to connect to Shopify and inserting that embed code directly into your code. The advantage is that it's free to do and lets you embed Instagram posts even in places, such as within blog posts, that Shopify apps don't support. The downside, however, is the manual effort of embedding each one individually.
Method 2: Use a Shopify app
Next is the method of using a Shopify app. Using Shopify apps well known for Instagram integration, such as "Instafeed" or "LEEEP," lets you display Instagram posts on your Shopify store in real time. The advantage is that it displays in real time and eliminates manual effort. The downside is that a monthly fee is charged, and in some cases it can only be embedded in specific locations.
Connecting Shopify with Instagram DMs (Direct Messages)
In this article, "connecting" refers to the state of having Instagram DMs integrated within an inquiry management tool.
What Are Instagram DMs (Direct Messages)?
Instagram DMs (direct messages) are a feature that lets Instagram users send and receive private messages. DMs can be exchanged in various formats, including text, images, videos, voice messages, links, and other media formats, and can be sent to individual users.
Benefits of Connecting with Instagram DMs
Centralized management
Handling inquiries from each channel separately makes operations more complex and increases both response time and the risk of mistakes. Connecting Instagram DMs with an inquiry management tool lets you centrally manage inquiries from every channel, which can be expected to shorten response time and reduce mistakes.
Improved customer satisfaction
As noted above, since response time and mistakes can be reduced, this can also be expected to improve customer satisfaction.
How to Connect with Instagram DMs
The simplest approach is to choose an inquiry management tool that can connect with Instagram DMs. "Channel Talk" is one such inquiry management tool that works well with Shopify.
Recommended Shopify Apps for Instagram Integration
Facebook & Instagram - For Instagram Shopping Integration
Facebook & Instagram is an official Shopify app provided by Meta. It lets you connect Shopify with Facebook and Instagram, making it easy to showcase products through Facebook Shopping and Instagram Shopping.
The blog article below explains how to set up the Meta pixel on Shopify using Facebook & Instagram. Please use it as a reference.
Instafeed - For Instagram Post Integration
"Instafeed" is a Shopify app that displays Instagram feed posts on Shopify in real time. You can start using it for free, and it lets you display feed posts easily with no coding required. It also supports design customization and filtering posts by hashtag.
LEEEP - For Instagram Post Integration
Source: LEEEP | Shopify App Store
LEEEP is a service that leverages a variety of content — UGC (user-generated content), video, staff posts, reviews, and more — to bring out the appeal of your brand and improve the purchasing experience on your e-commerce site. It automatically collects Instagram posts and lets you easily publish them on your Shopify site.
The blog article below introduces LEEEP's features, functionality, and setup steps. Please use it as a reference.
Channel Talk - For Instagram DM Integration
Source: Channel Talk | Shopify App Store
Channel Talk is a web customer-engagement tool that works with Shopify. It lets you display a web chat widget on your Shopify store, with a chatbot feature that can automatically respond to inquiries. It can connect with Instagram, letting you centrally manage messages from customers via web chat, Instagram DMs, LINE, email, and more.
In Closing
Connecting Shopify with Instagram is a powerful tool that greatly expands the potential of your online store. Properly leveraging the three integration methods introduced in this article — shopping features, posts, and DMs — can be expected to deliver the following effects:
- Improved product visibility and a simplified purchasing process
- Improved credibility through leveraging user-generated content
- Efficient customer support and improved customer satisfaction
Using the Shopify apps introduced here can also make achieving these integrations easier and more effective. That said, it's important to choose the right integration method and tools to match the characteristics and goals of each individual business.
Finally, while this article introduced recommended Shopify apps for connecting with Instagram, the blog article below introduces recommended Shopify apps in a variety of categories beyond Instagram integration apps, including "customer acquisition," "sales growth," and "blog article enhancement." Find the Shopify apps best suited to your Shopify store!
