How to Sell on Instagram in India
Instagram is where many Indian buyers discover small brands, but most sales still close in DMs or on WhatsApp. This guide covers setting up for selling, the content that brings orders, and the part most sellers get wrong: payment, COD and delivery.
Step 1: Switch to a business account
- Go to Settings → Account type and tools and switch to a professional account, then choose Business.
- Pick an accurate category, and add contact buttons: phone, email and WhatsApp.
- Write a bio that says what you sell, who it is for, and how to order: "Handblock cotton kurtas · Ships across India · Order on WhatsApp ↓".
- Put one link in the bio: your store, or a WhatsApp click-to-chat link.
A business account also gives you Insights, which show which posts and reels lead to profile visits and link clicks.
Step 2: Decide where the order closes
| DM or WhatsApp orders | Link to your own store | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Nothing beyond the app | A store with checkout and payments |
| Effort per order | Manual: reply, confirm, collect payment, copy address | Buyer checks out alone; you pack |
| Works at night | Only if you are awake | Yes |
| Best for | First orders and custom products | Regular stock and running ads |
Most sellers start with DMs and WhatsApp, then add a store once replying by hand slows them down. See how to create an online store in India.
Step 3: Tag products (optional)
Instagram Shopping lets eligible businesses tag products in posts and reels from a catalog in Meta Commerce Manager. It needs a business account, a catalog, and approval under Meta's commerce eligibility rules. Eligibility and features change, so check Meta's current requirements. Product tags are useful, but you do not need them to sell: plenty of Indian brands sell from captions, stories and DMs alone.
Step 4: Post content that sells
- Reels showing the product in use. Fit, drape, size in hand, unboxing. Reels reach people who do not follow you yet.
- Price in the caption. "DM for price" filters out buyers who would have bought.
- Stories with a link sticker for new drops, restocks and limited offers.
- Highlights for reviews, size guide, shipping and payment, and how to order.
- Customer photos reposted with permission. Proof that real people received the product matters more on Instagram than polish.
Step 5: Take the order
Save quick replies so every enquiry follows the same steps:
- Confirm product, size or colour, and quantity.
- Ask for the full address with PIN code, landmark and phone number.
- State the total including shipping, and the delivery estimate.
- Offer UPI first, then Cash on Delivery.
- Send a written summary and ask for a "Confirm" reply.
Moving the chat to WhatsApp after the first DM makes order tracking easier. See how to sell on WhatsApp Business.
Step 6: Payment and COD
- UPI first. Share a UPI ID, QR or payment link. Confirm the money arrived in your account; never ship on a screenshot alone.
- Prepaid discount. A small discount for paying upfront moves many buyers off COD.
- COD with confirmation. Instagram buyers often order on impulse, so COD from Instagram returns more than average. Confirm the order and address before you pack. See how to stop fake COD orders.
Step 7: Ship and follow up
- Book pickups through a shipping aggregator, or India Post for PIN codes couriers do not serve.
- Send the tracking link as soon as the parcel is picked up.
- Ask for a photo or review after delivery, and repost it.
- Issue a GST invoice if you are registered.
Common mistakes
- Buying followers. Fake followers do not buy, and they hurt reach with real ones.
- Slow DM replies. Buyers message three sellers and buy from the first to answer.
- Overselling. Selling the same piece in DMs, on WhatsApp and in your shop. Keep one stock count.
- Unconfirmed COD. The fastest way to lose money on Instagram orders.
Doing this with ARSAVO
ARSAVO gives your Instagram bio a store link with 2-tap UPI checkout, keeps stock in step with WhatsApp orders, confirms COD orders on WhatsApp before you pack, and generates GST invoices, with 0% commission on sales. ARSAVO opens in private beta in January 2027 for 15 founding merchants.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need GST to sell on Instagram in India?
Instagram does not ask for it. Whether you must register depends on GST law, including turnover and whether you sell to other states. Confirm with a chartered accountant.
Can I sell on Instagram without a website?
Yes. Many sellers take orders through DMs and WhatsApp. A website helps once you run ads, want orders while you sleep, or want buyers to find you on Google.
How many followers do I need to start selling?
None. Reels can reach non-followers from your first post. Consistency and clear prices matter more than follower count.
Should I offer Cash on Delivery on Instagram orders?
Usually yes, since many buyers will not pay upfront to a brand they just found. Confirm every COD order before dispatch and offer a prepaid discount.
Turn Instagram buyers into paid orders
Store link, UPI checkout and COD verification in one place. 15 founding spots in Batch 01.