Instagram can feel like a place for influencers with perfect photos and thousands of followers. It doesn't have to be. A small seller with a clear profile, a few good products and quick replies can use it as a simple shop window. This guide shows you how to set it up and what to do each week.
Start with a profile that explains itself
When someone lands on your profile, they should understand in three seconds what you sell and how to buy.
- Name: a simple shop name that is easy to type and remember, for example your first name plus what you sell ("Home Finds by" and your name). Don't use another brand's name or logo.
- Bio: say what you sell, that you deliver island-wide, and that customers can pay cash on delivery.
- Link: put your MyKade shop link in the bio. It opens a shop page with your name and your prices, so people can browse without waiting for you. Read more in your MyKade shop link.
A bio can be as simple as this:
Useful home and kitchen items. Island-wide delivery. Cash on delivery. Message us to order.
Posts, Reels and Stories: what each one is for
Instagram has three main ways to show a product. Each does a different job.
- Feed posts are your shop window. Keep your best products here so a new visitor sees them. One clear photo and an honest caption is enough.
- Reels are short videos. Many MyKade products come with supplier videos you can share straight from the app. A short clip showing the product in use often explains it better than a photo. The tips in short videos that sell on TikTok work for Reels too.
- Stories disappear after 24 hours. Use them for daily reminders, a "back in stock" note, or a question like "Which colour do you like?" They work much like WhatsApp Status.
A weekly routine that fits a busy day
You don't need to post all day. A steady routine is better than a burst of posts followed by silence.
- Pick one or two products for the week. Focus helps people remember you. See why one hero product beats fifty.
- Share from the app. Each product has photos, videos and ready-made captions in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Pick the language your followers use.
- Post in the evening. Our data from about 5,000 orders shows enquiries peak between 7 and 11 pm, with 9 pm the busiest hour. Sunday brings about 50% more enquiries than other days. More in the best time to post.
- Add a Story every day. Even one Story keeps you in front of your followers.
- Check your messages twice in the evening. This is when buyers are most active.
Answering messages (DMs)
Most sales on Instagram start with a message like "price?" or "how much with delivery?". Answer with the full picture: the price, the delivery charge, and that they pay cash on delivery or by a secure MyKade payment link. Customers always pay MyKade, never you.
In the MyKade app you can connect your Facebook Page and Instagram and answer messages in one inbox. AI can suggest a reply, but read it before you send it, and make sure the price is right.
Speed matters a lot. In real Sri Lankan online shops, about half of enquiries became orders, and 3 in 4 of those ordered within a day. Read reply within an hour for why.
Keep it honest
- Use a few hashtags that describe the product, not long lists of unrelated tags.
- Never buy followers or post fake reviews. Real people notice, and it hurts trust.
- Only show photos that look like the real product. A customer who gets something different sends it back.
- Don't promise delivery dates you can't be sure of. From order to door takes about 3 days on average, so say "usually", not "always".
Be patient with growth
A new account grows slowly. Some weeks you will get messages, some weeks very few. That is normal. Keep your profile clear, post steadily, reply fast and treat every buyer well. People who know and trust you are the ones who order again.
Ready to set up your Instagram shop window? Download the MyKade app, pick your first product and share it tonight.