Overview
We are excited to announce the rollout of our new Instagram Commerce Flow feature, designed to enable D2C brands to create a seamless and engaging shopping experience within Instagram Direct Messages (DMs). This update empowers brands to configure Welcome Messages, Product Carousels, and Category-based flows, enhancing customer engagement and driving conversions directly through Instagram.
Problem Statement
Previously, brands struggled to create a cohesive shopping experience on Instagram due to the lack of direct commerce features within Instagram DMs.
Our old system lacked the flexibility needed to deploy automated, commerce-driven interactions on Instagram. As a result, brands faced challenges in efficiently managing category-based product flows and delivering a cohesive shopping experience within the messaging interface.
Key Enhancements
- Customizable Welcome Message:
- Brands can now configure a personalized Welcome Message that greets customers as they enter the Instagram Commerce Flow. This message can include static text or a carousel with images, titles, subtitles, and up to 3 CTA buttons (e.g., "Shop Now," "Agent Chat").
- Category Message Flow:
- The feature allows brands to set up Category Messages with hierarchical product categories (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary). This enables customers to explore products within structured categories and makes navigation within the Instagram DM much smoother.
- Product Carousel Configuration:
- Brands can create Product Carousels that showcase up to 10 products at a time, each containing images, titles, subtitles, and buttons that link directly to the product pages. This provides a rich browsing experience without leaving Instagram.
- Loading and Fallback Messages:
- Brands can customize Loading Messages that appear while products are being fetched, improving user experience during interactions.
- A Fallback Message is also available, which gets triggered when the bot doesn't recognize a user's query, providing further guidance to the customer.
- Integration with Shopify and WooCommerce:
- The Instagram Commerce Flow seamlessly integrates with Shopify and WooCommerce, allowing for automatic retrieval and validation of product collection IDs for effortless product carousel setup.
Benefits
- Efficiency: The streamlined UI allows brands to set up complete commerce flows without needing extensive development resources. Configurations like Welcome Messages, Product Carousels, and Category Messages can now be managed directly from the dashboard.
- Improved User Experience: The customizable product carousels and category messages offer an engaging shopping experience, driving higher conversions within Instagram DMs.
- Seamless Integration: The feature integrates effortlessly with existing Shopify and WooCommerce stores, making it easier to launch and manage product flows.
- Scalability: Brands can now easily scale their Instagram shopping experience by managing their product flows and automations through a single interface.
FAQs
- How do I configure the Welcome Message and Category Message?
- You can configure these through the Instagram Commerce Flow setup page in the dashboard in the Bot Configurations Panel, where you'll be able to set up static text or carousels and define product categories.
- Can I use the same product categories as in WhatsApp Commerce?
- Yes, you can import your category hierarchy from the WhatsApp Commerce Flow into Instagram, reducing the need for manual reconfiguration.
- How many products can I showcase in a carousel?
- You can display up to 10 products in each product carousel. At a time, a maximum of two product carousels will be shown. If more products exist in a category, a "View More" card will allow customers to explore additional products on your website.
- What happens if the bot doesn't understand a user query?
- A fallback message will be triggered, providing options for the customer to chat with an agent or receive further guidance.
Summary
The Instagram Commerce Flow feature brings a new level of engagement to Instagram by allowing D2C brands to create personalized, automated shopping experiences directly within Instagram DMs. By introducing customizable Welcome Messages, Category Messages, and Product Carousels, we aim to streamline the customer journey, increase conversion rates, and simplify the flow setup for brands using Shopify and WooCommerce.