Hey there, future online entrepreneur! Ever thought about selling cool stuff from AliExpress on Instagram? You’re onto something big for sure. Instagram is the place to be, and we’re here to guide you through the whole process.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to sell AliExpress products on Instagram.  We’ll help you pick the right things to sell, show you how to set up shop on Instagram, and share tips on growing your business. Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, we’ve got your back. 

Let’s turn your Instagram into a store and make your online selling journey super easy and successful! Ready? Let’s do this! 

What is Instagram Shopping?

Instagram Shopping is a highly popular feature of the photo-and video-sharing social network- Instagram. In 2020 Meta Platforms introduced it during the COVID-19 pandemic as a convenient shopping option for both businesses and shoppers.

Consumer data research organization onlinedasher.com reported that on average sellers saw a 42% increase in their sales after using Instagram shopping.

The reason behind the success story of Instagram is the easy access to products by the shoppers. Instagram users browse through the feeds and Instagram Stories of the seller to reach a product. They can scrutinize various products, browse the collections, and buy items effortlessly.

The e-commerce brands showcase their products through a digital catalog that can be shared with ease. People can complete their purchase either on Instagram or by visiting the brand’s eCommerce site.

Why Source Products from AliExpress?

AliExpress is a popular destination for businesses to source goods due to the wide array of products available. The platform boasts a multitude of sellers, each showcasing their unique products, styles, and designs. Let us see why so many people choose AliExpress for sourcing products.

• Competitive Price: With such a wide range of products available, shoppers can easily find items that suit their individual tastes and demands.
• Affordable: Another reason why AliExpress is so appealing is its affordability. You can find a wide range of products on the site at much lower prices than what you would see in traditional physical stores or other online shops. This is because of the high competition among a good number of sellers of the platform.
• Less Intermediary Fees: Thanks to the direct-to-consumer model and the platform’s worldwide presence, sellers can avoid intermediary fees and can offer products at reduced prices. Shoppers also become happy to find quality items without overspending.
• World-Wide Marketplace: AliExpress serves as a platform for individual and small-scale vendors from different parts of the world to tap into a global market. This opens up the possibility for buyers to stumble upon unique and niche products that may not be readily accessible through local retailers. By backing these small businesses, consumers can play a role in fostering a more varied and lively marketplace.

How to Set Up Instagram Shopping?

You can create your Instagram shop through Facebook’s Commerce Manager. Alternatively, if you sell on Shopify or other partnered Meta platforms, you can create your Instagram shop on that platform too.

Things You Need to Open an Instagram Shop

• An Online Store: Instagram does not allow direct sales. All products sold on your Instagram must also be available on a website or any other online store. Before you can sell products Instagram will verify that the domain name you gave them as your online store is a valid one.
• Knowledge about Instagram’s Policies:  All Instagram business accounts must follow all the terms of use and community guidelines of the platform to start a business. Make sure you have ample knowledge about them before you kick off your venture. 
• Instagram Business Account: Creating a business account is essential for accessing Instagram shops. The process is simple and time-efficient.
• Eligible Business Location: To sell on Instagram, your business must be located in any of the following countries: Canada, USA, Brazil, Mexico, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, or Thailand.
• A Trustworthy Account:  Instagram requires your account to be trustworthy, which means being authentic, having sufficient followers, and having a solid online presence. To make your shop trustworthy you must accurately display pricing, product availability, and your refund/return policy.

Instagram Shopping Set Up Process

Setting Up Instagram Shop with Facebook Commerce Manager

Step 1: Go to the Facebook Commerce Manager and select Create a Shop option.

This is what the first page of Facebook Commerce Manager looks like when creating a shop.

Step 2: Choose how you want to set up your account. If you use Shopify, BigCommerce, or other partner platforms you will be redirected to them or you may follow the next steps.

Step 3: Choose your checkout method. Select between Checkout on Another Website and Checkout with Facebook or Instagram options.

Step 4: Select Your Facebook Business Account.

Step 5: Set up your shipping preferences by specifying your order processing time, delivery speed, shipping cost, and possible destination for your products.

Step 6: Preview your shop, read and agree to the seller agreement, and click Finish Setup.

Step 7: Now you can add your products and catalogs to your Instagram shop. You may customize the decorations of the shop using Facebook Commerce Manager.

Setting up Instagram Shop with Shopify

Step 1: Refer to your Facebook and Instagram accounts from the Shopify App Store by selecting the Facebook option under the Sales Channels from your Shopify menu and Clicking Set Up.

Step 2: Connect your Facebook account and Instagram sales channel following the dialogue box.

Step 3: Read and agree to the terms and conditions and click Request Approval.

How to Source Products from AliExpress?

Step 1: Find Your Niche

Take the time to pinpoint a profitable niche for your business. Thoroughly research the market to gain a deep understanding of trends, target audience, and competition. Uncover valuable insights by searching the internet using keywords like “product sourcing,” “online retail,” and “e-commerce trends.”

Step 2: Create AliExpress Account

Before you can start sourcing you need to make an account on AliExpress. Use a business email and choose a strong password since this account will serve as your access point to the platform’s extensive range of products.

After registering your account your AliExpress home page should look like this.

Step 3: Investigate Merchandise and Distributors

Leverage AliExpress’s search feature to locate products that fit your specific niche. Explore multiple suppliers’ profiles and take into consideration key factors such as product quality, customer reviews, and shipping efficiency. Make use of LSI keywords like “trustworthy suppliers” and “product critiques” to optimize your search results.

The image shows what results AliExpress may present to a buyer who is using its search feature to find affordable ladies’ handbags.

Step 4:  Examine Product Specifications

After narrowing down your list of potential products, take a close look at their details. It’s important to seek out products with accurate descriptions, top-notch images, and appropriate specifications. Confirm that the product aligns with your quality expectations and appeals to your desired audience.

Step 5:  Evaluate Supplier Ratings

The reliability of suppliers can be determined through their ratings and reviews. Look for suppliers with favorable ratings and effective communication. Utilizing search phrases like “supplier ratings” and “reliable communication” can lead you to dependable business partners.

The supplier of the image is a highly rated seller with 4.4 points out of 5, who has successfully sold over a thousand bags. It indicates their trustworthiness as a seller.

Step 6: Get in Touch with the Suppliers

Reach out to the chosen suppliers and ask about their product offerings. Inquire about their shipping procedures, potential bulk order discounts, and opportunities for customization of the products.

Step 7: Place Sample Orders

Before making a significant purchase, consider placing a test order to evaluate the quality of the product and the speed of shipping. This precautionary measure will prevent any unexpected issues with customers in the future.

Step 8: Analyze the Shipping Period and Costs

Your business can be greatly affected by longer shipping durations and higher shipping expenses. That is why you need to evaluate various shipping choices. 

You may use search keywords such as “shipping fees” and “delivery timelines” while mentioning your delivery route to make well-informed choices.

Step 9: Place the First Order

After selecting a trustworthy supplier and ensuring product quality, it is now time to make your first bulk purchase. Use search keywords such as “bulk order process” and “order placement on AliExpress” to know the procedure well.

Step 10: Keep Track of the Inventory

Once you have received your products, make sure to closely monitor your inventory levels to avoid stock shortages. You need to know the frequency of sales for each item to understand when to order them.

How to Analyze Products on AliExpress?

AliExpress serves as a hub for producers and sellers worldwide to offer their wares. If you plan on sourcing products from this vast platform, it’s essential to know how to effectively assess them. We urge you to adhere to the following procedures for this purpose.

Use Product Filter and Categories

AliExpress offers a set of basic search filters, similar to other online marketplaces. The most beneficial one allows you to sort products by the number of orders and price.

By adjusting the filters on AliExpress, you can sort out different products of a type by their number of sales. This is a useful tactic for discovering the most trendy products on the platform. 

Use Correct Keywords

Using accurate keywords is crucial when utilizing the search functions of AliExpress. If your desired item has a particular design or attribute, it could require 3-4 attempts at guessing keywords and some scrolling to find the ideal listing.

Keep in mind that online marketplaces may not have the most advanced search engines. To ensure accurate results, try to enter keywords that closely align with your desired products. 

Alternatively, you can explore the different categories listed on the AliExpress homepage for a more diverse range of options.

Confirm Authenticity of Product

Don’t limit yourself to one source or marketplace when searching for products. With so many e-commerce giants out there, it’s important to verify the credibility of a potential winning product across multiple platforms for a clearer idea.

Utilize platforms like Amazon, eBay, Wish, and Shopify to discover popular products. With Amazon’s top-selling section, you can see the latest trends in each category and understand if the product in question is trending or not. You may repeat the same process on other platforms to be more sure.

Be With Social Media Trends

Social media can serve as a valuable tool for discovering trending products. From viral posts and memes to influencer endorsements and TV appearances, social media can often be the driving force behind a product’s success.

Pay close attention to ads on Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, especially the ones generating the most buzz from the public. The sooner you can identify emerging trends, the more advantageous it will be for your business.

Adding products from your competitors to your shopping cart can also be beneficial. This will expose you to ads for other similar products, giving you a better understanding of what’s popular on the market and what’s not.

After that, search the trendy product on AliExpress and you’ll come across numerous suppliers for the item.

Check Product Samples

Simply relying on product images is not enough to accurately assess its quality. As a long-term business owner, it is your responsibility to thoroughly inspect the items you plan to sell.

Many trustworthy suppliers are happy to offer complimentary or reduced-price samples for you to try out the product. However, if that proves to be too much trouble, you can always use the assistance of a reputable sourcing service to examine the products on your behalf.

How To Sell Aliexpress Products on Instagram?

Explore the Most Popular Items on AliExpress

Begin by identifying the best products to sell on Instagram from AliExpress. Focus on popular items that have a high demand and minimal competition on Instagram Shopping.

First, you need to create a list of trending products from AliExpress that have competitive prices. Then, evaluate the popularity of the listed products on Instagram to determine which ones to source.

Create an Instagram Business Account

Set up a business account on Instagram if you haven’t already, as it is a prerequisite for an Instagram Shop.

The process of creating a business account on Instagram is easy and takes only a few steps.

Source Items from AliExpress

Now purchase your preferred items from AliExpress. You need to prioritize products with high quality and fast shipping.

You may utilize the step-by-step instructions provided earlier in this article to source products from AliExpress.

Capture Stunning Images of the Products

Don’t forget to capture some attractive photos of the products once they arrive to showcase on your Instagram shop.

Good-quality pictures are important since Instagram uses images as the primary means of communication, you must ensure that the visual appeal of your product is uncompromising. 

Set Up the Instagram Shop

Follow the instructions provided in this article to create your Instagram Shop and expand your reach to a larger audience.

Instagram’s Shopping provides a tool to add product tags to your posts and stories, which allows your followers to easily find any product from your Instagram page.

Connect with Your Audience

Increase your visibility and interactions with your audience by consistently posting, replying to comments, and utilizing appropriate hashtags.

Seeking help from established social media influencers can greatly increase user engagement for your Instagram Shop.

Complete Orders

Fulfill customer orders by packaging the products sourced from AliExpress and arranging direct shipments to the buyers.

Remember that neglecting to properly package products or causing any delays in shipping can greatly harm the reputation of your business.

Create Loyal Clients

The key to a successful online business is having a good number of repeat customers. Earning the trust and loyalty of buyers is crucial in ensuring their continued patronage.

To gain loyalty, it is essential to deliver exceptional customer service, maintain consistent communication with buyers, and offer enticing deals to the most devoted customers.

7 Proven Strategies for Boosting Sales on Instagram

1. Team up with Key Influencers

The influencer marketing industry has experienced significant growth, doubling in size since 2019. The market is projected to reach a record high of 21.1 billion U.S. dollars by 2023.

According to a report from Statista, the influencer marketing industry has grown by a factor of 10 in the past eight years.

Instagram influencers serve as brand ambassadors for different businesses. By utilizing their reach and reputation, you can effectively boost the visibility of your products among their devoted audience.

The charm of influencers is significant when it comes to shaping consumer behavior, due to their authority in a particular niche. 

Don’t assume that all influencers demand Kim Kardashian-level fees for promoting products and brands. Many influencers with smaller followings in niche markets charge fair prices and may even accept free products as payment for content creation.

Surprisingly it is micro-influencers with under 20,000 followers who have the most influence in promoting your merchandise.

2. Promote Your Brand on Instagram with Ads

The rise of Instagram as a shopping hub is evident, as going through product pages has become the third most popular activity of Instagram users, right after posting and scrolling of course.

Instagram has introduced paid promotion in the platform by using Ads with product tags or by boosting existing shoppable posts. Feel free to use these features and promote your products to a targeted buyer group.

Instagram ads with product tags are essentially the same as regular Instagram ads. However, when a person is drawn to a featured product of yours, they can easily access its details on your website.

If your business is based in the US, you can also utilize Instagram Checkout to allow users to make in-app purchases.

Instagram advertisements can be displayed in users’ feeds or on the Explore page with images, carousels, or videos from your product catalog.

These ads function the same as traditional Instagram ads, as they are created through Ads Manager and can be targeted towards a specific or similar audience to reach potential customers.

3. Use Product Tags

The process of finding and buying a product on Instagram is not a simple one if there is no option for tagging them. With the help of tagging customers can directly come to your website from Instagram upon discovering the product or can purchase it on Instagram.

Let your followers shop with ease by tagging the products in your posts, Stories, and Reels. For businesses with checkout-enabled Shops, tagged Live feeds are a good idea to increase sales conversion.

Users also can tag your products, and you get notified when they do so. You should change the setting of tagging permissions to easily access all tagged content.

Instagram reports that 6 million people tag products on the platform each week. To increase product reach and attract potential customers, use product tags wisely in your posts.

4. Share Your Reels

With the use of reels, your business can produce and share videos lasting up to one minute. Unleash your creativity by adding appropriate text overlays, AR filters, and popular background music to effectively convey your brand’s narrative. 

Furthermore, reels have the potential to be featured on Instagram’s Explore page and reach more audiences than you thought.

The good news is you can tag products in your Reels too, allowing viewers to seamlessly access any mentioned products or collections. 

5. Promote User-Generated Content

Incorporating user-generated content into your Instagram feed is a smart way to showcase your product and increase your brand awareness.

Numerous companies now view social media marketing as the key to establishing genuine connections with their audience on an individual level. By utilizing user-generated content, these brands enable users to share authentic and relatable narratives, which can be challenging to achieve through conventional marketing methods.

6.  Utilize Hashtags

The use of Instagram hashtags can increase the visibility of your shoppable posts and expand their reach on the platform. Additionally, hashtags play a role in how the algorithm prioritizes your content for display in user feeds or Instagram Explore.

The Instagram algorithm interprets hashtags as clues about your post’s topic, indicating relevance and increasing the chances of it being seen by those with similar interests.

If you are already familiar with successful hashtags for your brand, try incorporating them into your Shoppable posts. You can opt for a general hashtag such as #style or #fashion, or go for a more targeted one like #earringsaddict. This will aid Instagram in connecting your posts with the appropriate audience.

7. Showcase Your Products in Videos

Are you aware that most of the viewers make an online purchase after watching a video about it? This proves the importance of incorporating video into your Instagram marketing plan.

Effective product videos share compelling stories that resonate with the audience. The more effectively you tell a brand or product’s story, the greater the chance of your viewers realizing your company’s characteristics. As a result, they will be more inclined to make a purchase.

Don’t forget to add product stickers to your Stories to increase sales. You can also consider pinning videos as highlights in your bio to showcase them to potential buyers.

How to Sell Products on Instagram Without a Website?

If you don’t have a website, but still want to sell products on Instagram, don’t stress. You can absolutely sell on Instagram without a website. Here’s how.

Step 1: Convert to a Business Account

Instagram for Businesses provides a variety of resources and functionalities for tracking success and expanding your audience. Additionally, an Instagram Business account can assist in creating a polished brand image for your company.

To create a business account on Instagram, navigate to Settings > Account > Switch to Professional Account in your profile, and fill in the necessary information.

Within your Instagram business profile, you can add relevant contact information for your business, streamlining the process for customers to get in touch. The Threads feature on the Instagram app can be reliable for e-commerce professionals to connect and exchange thoughts on various subjects.

Step 2: Customize the Account

Now, it’s your turn to demonstrate the genuine character of your business and establish confidence with your customers by personalizing your Instagram account. 

Showcase your business’s individuality by setting up a clean and sleek profile picture, crafting a compelling and straightforward bio, incorporating glowing product reviews from happy customers, curating Instagram highlight albums for different products and categories, and adding your products to Instagram albums.

Step 3:  Take Orders from Buyers

After establishing and customizing your profile, you can begin displaying your products to your customer base. But what are the options for accepting orders on Instagram? There are three methods to consider.

Method 1: Personally Accept Orders

Make it easy for customers to reach you by sharing your contact details, such as a WhatsApp Chat link and mobile number. You can also invite them to message you on Instagram to place their order.

By doing this, you can establish a personal connection with the customers and help them with their shopping needs. Be sure to collect advance payments from customers via bank or e-wallet transfers before finalizing their orders.

Method 2: Put Payment Link in Bio

Add payment links or information to your Instagram bio and prompt customers to complete their purchases by paying directly. By this, you are simplifying the payment process and also reducing the intermediary payment cost.

Method 3: Use an Order Form

Lessen your workload by integrating an order form to allow customers to easily submit payments and place their orders without any manual steps.

Wrapping It Up

Now that you how to sell AliExpress products on Instagram, we believe you will nail it in no time!

Selling AliExpress products on Instagram is an excellent idea, especially for new business owners. With a smart product selection and effective sales tactics, you can significantly increase your chances of success. Just be sure to maintain transparency with your customers and abide by Instagram’s rules and regulations.

FAQs

Q. Can I Use Aliexpress Photos on Instagram?

Ans. If you do not have explicit approval from the copyright holder, or your usage falls under an exception such as fair use, utilizing product images from AliExpress may be considered a violation of copyright laws. It is recommended to either produce your own images or utilize images given by the manufacturer.

Q. Does it Cost a Lot to Sell Things on Instagram?

Ans. Tagging products on Instagram and directing users to your online store is free of charge. However, if users choose to check out on Instagram, there will be a processing fee of 2.9%. This fee is exempt for Shopify merchants who use the Facebook and Instagram app, as they are charged separately by Shopify.

Q. How to Accept Payment on Instagram?

Ans. Businesses and creators located in the US with a US bank account and address can now accept payments on Instagram. Utilize either your Meta Commerce Manager or Business Manager accounts to enable payment features. For those outside the US, Instagram Shopping is available to redirect customers to your online store where you can get paid.