How to Sell on Instagram Without a Website: Best 10 Strategies 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic pushed consumers toward online shopping, Instagram has become a powerful selling platform, so it’s not surprising that many users are wondering how to sell on Instagram without a website for easier management.

The best part? You don’t need technical skills or any financial investment to get started. How? Let’s explore the options to sell things on Instagram without a website. 

How to Sell on Instagram Without a Website

Instagram’s platform offers numerous ways to sell products directly without needing a website. Let’s explore the most effective methods to turn your Instagram into a selling machine.

#1 Set Up Your Instagram Business Account

The first thing to consider when selling on Instagram without a website is having a business account. This professional profile unlocks powerful tools that enable direct selling through the platform.

Switch From Personal to Business Profile

Switching to a Business account takes minutes and boosts selling tools.

• Open Instagram → Profile → Menu (≡) → Settings & Privacy → Account → Switch to Professional Account → Continue.
• Choose a category for what you sell.
• Select Business (not Creator).
• Follow the final setup prompts to finish.

Note: Your account becomes public, and pending follow requests are accepted—this helps customers find your products if you don’t have a website.

Add Contact Info & Business Category

After switching, optimize these profile elements:

• Logo/profile photo: upload a high-quality image (avoid Instagram compression).
• Bio: concise description of what you sell (≤150 characters).
• Contact info: add email, phone, and address (if applicable).
• Business category: pick the most relevant (retail, services, etc.).

Connect to Facebook

Connecting Instagram to Facebook is optional, but gives big selling perks.

• Benefits: cross-posting, unified ad campaigns, expanded shopping features, and shoppable posts via product tags.
• To connect: Profile → Settings → Account → Sharing to Other Apps → Facebook (Meta) → log in → choose your business page → follow prompts.
• Result: a stronger multi-platform selling setup — works with Facebook Shop or Shopify to make Instagram posts shoppable even without a website.

#2 Link In Bio

A link in bio serves as your centralized landing page where customers can access all your important links.

It’s the best option for sellers with their own website, but if you don’t have one, you can create your storefront in third-party marketplaces and then add your storefront link to your bio.

You can easily add your Link in bio on Instagram, and if you’re looking for an advanced tool to create a professional landing page for your products, you can use tools such as BrandID.

This powerful tool helps you own the audience you’re attracting on social media while centralizing all your product information in one convenient location.

You can also add these links to Instagram stories on your daily content for more conversions.

Link Sticker in Stories to a Payment Page or Product Listing

Instagram’s Link sticker feature allows all accounts to add external links to their Stories. Previously limited to accounts with 10,000+ followers, but now you can easily add links to Instagram stories. This feature now enables businesses of any size to drive sales directly.

To add a Link sticker:

1. Create your Story content.
2. Tap the sticker icon.
3. Select the “Link” sticker.
4. Enter your payment page URL/ Product Listing.
5. Position the sticker strategically on your story.

#3 Instagram Shopping / Product Tags

With Instagram Shopping, you can transform your profile into a digital storefront. This feature lets you:

• Tag up to 20 products in carousel posts.
• Create a seamless path from discovery to purchase.
• Reach potential customers through Instagram’s Shop tab.

#4 Use DMs to Take Orders Manually

Direct Messages serve as a personal sales channel. If you don’t have a website, you still can sell your products on Instagram through direct message marketing. You encourage your followers to DM you if they are asking for a product to buy. You can do this by telling them to order you through DM on comments or captions of your posts.

Benefits include:

• Building stronger customer relationships through one-on-one conversations.
• Answering questions in real-time.
• Creating a frictionless buying process.

For efficient order management:

• Set up a dedicated tracking system (spreadsheet or management tool).
• Create saved replies for common inquiries.
• Use tags to organize conversations by order status.

#5 Build a WhatsApp-Integrated Catalog for Ordering

WhatsApp Business allows you to create a product catalog that showcases your products and services.

You can create a WhatsApp-integrated product catalog, and it can connect to Instagram. You simply build your catalog using WhatsApp Business or the WhatsApp API, and if you use Meta’s Commerce Manager, the same catalog can link from your Instagram business profile.

This lets people browse your products on WhatsApp after tapping “Message on WhatsApp” or a click-to-chat link in your Instagram bio or posts.

Each listing requires:

• A unique title.
• At least one clear product image.
• Country of origin.

You can also add:

• Additional images/videos.
• Price information.
• Product descriptions.
• Website links.

#6 Sell Through Third-Party Marketplaces

If you don’t qualify for Instagram Shopping or prefer alternative methods, you can:Use third-party solutions such as Shopify or BigCommerce that integrate with Instagram.

• Create custom ordering systems through form builders.
• Link to external marketplaces where your products are listed.

#7 Drive Urgency with Flash Drops or Limited-Time Offers

Flash sales create excitement and encourage quick purchasing decisions. For effective flash drops:

• Offer deep discounts (or bundle deals if you prefer not to discount).
• Set clear time limits (24 hours or less).
• Ensure customers can order quickly.
• Use PayPal or other tools for immediate invoicing.

#8 Pin Reels or Stories That Act as Mini-Product Pages

Reels are flexible and can function as mini-product showcases as well.

To optimize:

• Feature products clearly in your content.
• Tag products directly in Reels.
• Pin your best product Reels to your profile, or highlight them as a story.
• Use a creative demo to highlight product benefits.

#9 Automate Sales via Comments

Using comment-to-buy apps streamlines the purchasing process by allowing customers to shop directly through post comments.

How it works:

• Set a unique keyword for each product.
• When customers comment with the product keyword, they automatically receive checkout information.
• The transaction completes without requiring DM conversations.

#10 Start Instagram Giveaway

Running Instagram giveaways to spark excitement among your followers, can bring more sales in the long term this way you grow reach and increase your followers that lead to more sales. As long as the entry is easy and the prize matters to your audience.

You can start by asking followers to complete easy actions (e.g., follow your account, like the post, tag a friend, or post a story using your product with your branded hashtag) for a chance to win.

• Keep rules simple: The fewer steps, the more entries you’ll get. Write the rules clearly and include an entry deadline.
• Pick the right prize: It doesn’t have to be expensive, discounts, samples, consultations, or a bundle of your products work well if they’re relevant.
• Example format: “Follow @you, like this post, and tag a friend to enter.”
• Visibility: Use best giveaway hashtags like #giveaway, #contest, and your brand hashtag so people find the post.
• Follow the rules: State how and when you’ll announce the winner, and make sure your contest follows Instagram’s guidelines and local laws.

Keep in mind that there are also Top Instagram giveaway apps that can make it much easier for you.

Tips to Sell on Instagram Without a Website

Your Instagram profile serves as your digital storefront when you’re learning how to sell on Instagram without a website.

Clear, short bio (150 chars) — say what you sell, who it’s for, what makes you different; include a branded hashtag and focus on customer benefit; keep language simple.

• Profile picture: use a recognizable, platform-consistent, high-quality image.
• Highlights to real info: keep Stories permanent; make highlights for:
  • Products/Collections (categorized items, seasonal offers)
  • Customer reviews (screenshots)
  • FAQs (ordering questions)
• How-tos/tutorials (demos)
• Add a dedicated highlight for current sales/promos.
• Call-to-action / payment link — Edit Profile → Links to paste a payment URL; use link-in-bio tools for multiple destinations; add action buttons (Reserve, Order Food, Contact) for business accounts.

Moreover, keeping language straightforward ensures your message reaches the widest possible audience. You can also see some of the best Instagram bios that we have gathered together for a better understanding.

Conclusion

Understanding how to sell on Instagram without a Website is simpler than ever. Start by switching to a business account, polishing your bio, and using high-quality product photos with clear CTAs along with your link stickers, which can help a lot.

Remember to be consistent, post regularly, reply fast, and use Instagram Insights to see what works. Try different selling methods and pick what fits your audience.

Genuine engagement builds trust, and small, steady improvements can turn a side hustle into a real business.

FAQs