How to sell on Instagram and get orders on your own website (India)

Category: Guides

Instagram has quietly become a shop window for thousands of Indian small businesses — home bakers, boutiques, jewellery makers and local shops. People discover a product in a Reel, tap the profile, and send a DM asking "price?". The problem starts after that DM: orders scattered across chats, the same questions answered all day, and payments matched by screenshot.

This guide explains how to sell on Instagram in India step by step — setting up the right account, posting content that sells, using your link in bio properly, and moving buyers from Instagram to your own website, where they can browse, order and pay without waiting for you to reply.

Why Instagram plus your own website works better than Instagram alone

Instagram is excellent for discovery: people find you through Reels, hashtags, location tags and shares. It is not built to be a full store. DMs have no cart, no order list and no automatic payment confirmation.

Your own website or online store fills that gap:

• Every product, price and photo stays in one place, organised by category
• Customers can order at midnight without waiting for a reply
• Payments are confirmed automatically instead of by screenshot
• Google can show your products to people who never saw your Instagram

The simplest model is: Instagram brings people in, your website closes the sale.

Step 1: Switch to a professional account

In Instagram settings you can switch to a professional account (Business or Creator). It is free and unlocks:

• Insights — which posts and Reels reach people, and when your followers are online
• Contact buttons — call, email or WhatsApp directly from your profile
• Access to promotion and other business tools, subject to Instagram's eligibility rules

Step 2: Make your profile work like a shop board

Set up your profile so a first-time visitor knows what you sell in seconds:

1. Name field — include what you sell, not just the brand: "Meera's Kitchen | Home Bakery Pune". The name field is searchable.
2. Profile photo — a clear logo or shopfront that reads at a small size.
3. Bio — three short lines: what you sell, where you deliver, how to order. For example: "Eggless cakes and cookies · Delivery across Pune · Order on our website below".
4. Link in bio — your website or store link (more on this below).
5. Highlights — permanent story folders such as "Menu", "Prices", "Reviews", "How to order", "Delivery".

Step 3: Use your link in bio as a real store

The link in bio is the only always-visible clickable link on your profile, so treat it as your shop's front door.

A common approach is a "link in bio" page with a list of buttons. That works, but it adds an extra tap and still doesn't let customers order. A better option for a seller is a link in bio store: your own website where the homepage already shows your products, prices and an order button.

Practical tips:

• Use a short, readable address that matches your Instagram name.
• Make sure the website opens fast on a phone — almost all Instagram traffic is mobile.
• Mention the link in captions and stories: "Full menu and prices — link in bio".

If you don't have a website yet, start with How to create a website for your small business in India.

Step 4: Post content that sells

You don't need a studio. You need consistency and clarity.

• Reels reach the most new people. Show the product being made, packed or used. Keep the first two seconds strong.
• Carousel posts work well for catalogue-style content: one product per slide with the price on the image.
• Stories are for daily updates — today's fresh stock, a festival offer, a "only 5 left" alert, a customer's unboxing (with permission).
• Captions should answer the obvious questions: price, sizes, delivery area and how to order.
• Location tags and local hashtags (your city or neighbourhood) help nearby buyers find you.

Step 5: What about Instagram Shop features?

You may have heard of the Instagram shop — product tags on posts and a shop tab on the profile. These features are not available to every account or in every region, and eligibility depends on Instagram's commerce policies and your account. Check the professional tools in your own app to see what is available to you.

Even where product tagging works, a tap usually takes the customer to a product page on a website. So your own website remains the place where the order actually happens — which is one more reason to have one.

Step 6: Handle DMs and orders without chaos

DMs will keep coming even with a website. Make them efficient:

• Saved replies for common questions — price list, delivery area, payment options — each ending with your website link.
• Move ordering to the website: "You can see all designs and order here:" followed by your website link. The customer gets a cart and checkout; you get a clean order list.
• Use WhatsApp for follow-ups if your customers prefer it. Our guide WhatsApp se order kaise le covers catalogues, quick replies and labels.
• Reply within a fixed window each day so nobody waits too long.

Step 7: Take payments properly

Asking for a UPI screenshot in DMs works for a handful of orders, but it is slow and open to fake screenshots. On your own online store, customers pay at checkout by UPI, card or net banking, and the order is marked paid automatically. Many buyers in smaller towns still prefer cash on delivery, so offer it if your delivery setup allows.

For a plain-language explanation of UPI links and payment gateways, read Website par UPI payment kaise le. Planning the whole store from scratch? See Online dukan kaise khole.

Common mistakes Instagram sellers make

• "DM for price" on every post — many buyers simply scroll on. Show the price or link to it.
• No delivery information — state clearly where you deliver and how long it takes.
• Inconsistent posting — a month of silence makes a profile look closed.
• Link in bio pointing to an outdated page — check it every time your stock or prices change.

Using UniSub as your link in bio store

UniSub is one simple way to get a website you can put in your Instagram bio. Enter your business name, category and a short description, and AI generates a mobile-friendly website for your business — you see a free preview before paying.

• The Business Website plan gives you a showcase/catalogue of your products or services, and customers contact you directly.
• Plans with Online Store let customers order and pay on your website by UPI, cards or net banking, with cash on delivery supported.

You get an address like yourbusiness.unisub.in for your bio, and a custom domain on applicable plans. Products, photos, prices and orders are managed from the UniSub Business app on Android and iPhone, so you can update your store from the same phone you post Reels from.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a business registration to sell on Instagram in India?

Instagram does not require one to switch to a professional account. However, tax and registration requirements (such as GST) depend on your business type, turnover and products, and a payment gateway will ask for KYC documents. Check with a CA for your situation.

Is the Instagram shop available in India?

Instagram's shopping features are not available to every account, and eligibility depends on Instagram's commerce policies. Check the professional tools in your app. Either way, a website in your bio lets customers order today.

What is the best link in bio for a small business?

A link that lets customers see products and prices and place an order — ideally your own website or online store — rather than a page that only lists more links.

Can I sell on Instagram without a website?

Yes, through DMs and WhatsApp. But as orders grow, a website saves time, confirms payments automatically and helps new customers find you on Google.

Turn your Instagram link in bio into a store. See a free preview of your business website: unisub.in/merchant/website