Instagram adds in-app checkout to attract more shoppers to its platform

We all know that Instagram is moving towards monetisation not-so-slowly and more and more business features are likely to make their way to the app. Today, another business-related feature was rolled out on the platform as Instagram announced that it is bringing a checkout feature on its mobile app.

With the new checkout feature, users can store their payment information with Instagram in order to make purchases more quickly. However, in return, sellers would have to pay a fee to Instagram.

Although the feature has just been rolled out today, more than 20 brands will be using it. These include Nike, Adidas, Dior, H&M, MAC Cosmetics, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Prada, Uniqlo, Warby Parker, and Zara.

The items that are eligible for in-app checkout on the photo-sharing app now have a big blue button below them that reads ‘Checkout for Instagram’. Once you tap on it, you will be asked to give your email ID so that the seller can then complete your order. Users would then be asked to enter their delivery information and payment method, and once their details are reviewed, they would be able to go ahead with their order.

Prior to this, one could technically not complete their purchase on Instagram as the platform was a medium via which one could go to the web page on the retailer’s website to buy various items. However, this method was not exactly a very pleasing one as a number of users just found the web versions of the websites too slow and left the items in their shopping carts out of sheer frustration.

With hopes of solving this and providing an easy shopping place for users, Instagram has rolled out the checkout feature. The company has said that it hopes that if users would be able to complete their purchase inside the app, it will provide them a medium to shop as much as they like. At the same time, it will act as an additional platform for brands to sell their products.

We must add here that for now, only the payment information that is stored with Facebook will only be used on Instagram. However, the fact that Facebook is letting us use our information on its other apps does not come as a surprise. But then, the social media giant does claim that it wouldn’t share the payment information of users with retailers or with other users.

Shopping may be the next big step for the photo-sharing app and may be that’s the reason it is increasingly taking steps towards it. The company said in a blog post, “Checkout is just one part of our long-term investment in shopping. We’re excited to introduce even more ways for people to enjoy shopping on Instagram this year.