How to sell products on Instagram in India

To sell on Instagram in India, show each product with its price, make ordering simple by moving buyers from DMs to WhatsApp, take payment by UPI, and be clear about delivery and returns. Trust is what turns a like into an order, so show who you are and how you work.

Updated 2026-11-09

Catalogue posts that answer questions

Clear photos in daylight on a plain background, plus one photo in use
Price in the caption and on the image; 'DM for price' slows people down
Size, weight, material, colours available, and what is in the box
A product code (for example KR-104) so buyers can name it in a message
A carousel for each category, so people can swipe through a range
Mark sold-out items clearly instead of deleting them

Highlights as your shop counter

Stories disappear after a day, but highlights stay on your profile. Use them as fixed sections: How to order, Price list, Delivery and charges, Returns, Customer photos (with permission), and About us. A buyer who lands on your page should be able to answer their own questions from these before messaging you.

From DM to WhatsApp

Instagram DMs are fine for questions, but orders get lost there between likes and spam. Many sellers reply to a DM with the price and a WhatsApp link, then confirm the order on WhatsApp: item code, quantity, size, name, full address with pincode, phone, and the total with delivery. Use WhatsApp Business labels like 'New order', 'Paid' and 'Shipped' to keep track.

Payments by UPI

Share your UPI ID or a QR code in the WhatsApp chat
Ask the buyer to send a screenshot, but check your own bank or UPI app to confirm the money arrived
Never ask buyers for their UPI PIN or OTP, and never share yours
If you offer cash on delivery, say where and up to what amount, and whether there is an extra charge
For larger shops, a payment gateway such as Razorpay lets buyers pay by card or UPI on a page or in an app

Delivery and returns

Write down your delivery areas, charges and usual time, and pin it in a highlight. For local orders you may deliver yourself; for other cities, use a courier and share the tracking number. Decide your return and exchange policy before the first complaint: which items can be returned, in how many days, in what condition, and who pays the courier. Say it in plain words. A clear policy reassures buyers even if they never use it.

Trust signals

Your real name or the maker's face somewhere on the page
A city and, if you have one, a shop address or pickup point
Customer photos and messages, shared only with permission
Packing videos that show care
Quick, polite replies, including to complaints in comments
A website or catalogue link with the same prices as your posts

GST and registration

If you are registered for GST, show your GSTIN where buyers can see it and issue invoices as the law requires. Whether you need to register, and which rules apply to you, depends on what you sell, how much and where. Check with a CA or the official GST portal; this page is not legal or tax advice.

Where AppCub fits

AppCub can make two things that sit next to your Instagram. A website: 4 to 6 English pages with your products, prices, delivery and return policy, and a WhatsApp button on every page; it has no cart or payments. An Android app: a catalogue with search where buyers add items to a cart and send the order to your WhatsApp with one tap, and, once you connect your own Supabase database and Razorpay account, payment inside the app with the money going to you. Describe it in a chat in English, Hindi or Hinglish; seeing the plan is free, building starts with the ₹99 two-day trial.

Questions

Can I sell on Instagram without registering a company?

Many people start as individuals. What you need to register depends on what you sell and how much; check with a CA or the official portals. This is not legal advice.

How do I take payment from Instagram buyers?

Most small sellers share a UPI ID or QR on WhatsApp and check their own UPI app or bank before dispatching. A payment gateway like Razorpay lets buyers pay by card or UPI.

Should I put prices on my Instagram posts?

Yes. A visible price answers the first question and saves both of you a round of messages.

How do I handle returns?

Write a short policy before you need it: what can be returned, within how many days, in what condition, and who pays the courier. Pin it in a highlight.

Does Instagram have a shop for small sellers in India?

Features change over time, so check what Instagram offers in your account. Many sellers simply use posts, highlights and WhatsApp.

Can AppCub make a shopping app for my Instagram store?

Yes, an Android app with a catalogue and cart that sends orders to your WhatsApp, and Razorpay payments once you connect Razorpay and Supabase.

How do I stop fake payment screenshots?

Don't rely on screenshots. Check that the amount has arrived in your own UPI app or bank before you pack the order.

Make yours with AppCub

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