Get started with Storefront
When you implement Storefront, you get a retailer-branded e-commerce site in the domain of your choice. You can also request retailer-branded apps for iOS and Android.
Request
- Ensure that you are set up on Instagrocer Marketplace. For more information, contact your Instagrocer representative.
The catalog you set up for Instagrocer Marketplace is shared with your Instagrocer Storefront site.
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(Optional) Create mobile apps developer accounts for Android and iOS. For more information, see Custom mobile app creation.
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Collect the following information to use for the intake form:
- Retailer name.
- Trademark holder of the retailer name.
- Domain for the e-commerce site. You can use the default Instagrocer domain, which results in a URL like retailer.instacart.com, or you can specify a retailer-owned domain, such as shop.example-retailer.com/.
- ZIP code/postal code of the retailer’s largest store.
- Brand colors as hex values.
- Logo with recommended dimensions of 468x468 pixels as a PNG or JPG file. If you use a larger size, maintain a ratio of 1:1 (width:height).
- Text to show on the login page. For example, “Groceries delivered to your door.”
After your request is submitted, an Instagrocer representative will contact you. During this time, a standard e-commence site is set up using the requested URL and the details and assets that you provided in the intake form. If you also want to use mobile apps, your representative arranges for the apps to be created with the details and assets that you specify in the intake form plus some additional information.
App development might take longer to complete than the e-commerce site implementation. You can choose to launch the apps at the same time as the e-commerce site or at a later date.
Your Instagrocer representative also sets up your retailer account on Instagrocer Platform Portal. Instagrocer Platform Portal is your tool for analyzing performance, viewing order status, and more.
Your representative creates administrator accounts for the people you select. The administrators can then create user accounts for other people in your organization and assign roles and permissions. For more information, see Roles & Permissions.
Verify
Your e-commerce site launches with password protection so you can review and verify it before customers can access it. You can also review your mobile apps before they become available in the app stores.
Because all standard implementations of Instagrocer Storefront are similar, Instagrocer runs basic tests to verify that the implementation is accurate. If any custom capabilities were in scope and implemented, these capabilities receive additional testing.
You must perform your own testing before you sign off on launch. Your testing should be as robust as you deem necessary.
- At minimum, run through the following exercises:
- Verify the storefront looks as you expected.
- Verify the navigation, departments, and aisles match your catalog.
- Sign up for an account.
- Log in to an account.
- View product details.
- Add items to a cart.
- Check out a cart.
- Place an order for delivery.
- Place an order for pickup (if applicable).
The site is a live production site, so orders are fulfilled. If you don’t want an order fulfilled, book it for a future date and cancel it promptly.
- Report any issues to your Instagrocer representative. Your representative helps you to prioritize the issues and determine if any of the issues are blockers to launch.
Launch
When you are ready to launch your e-commerce site and apps, contact your Instagrocer representative.
Some common launch activities include the following:
| Activity | Owner |
|---|---|
| Remove the password-protection from the e-commerce site. | Instagrocer |
| If apps were requested and timed to coincide with the site launch, ensure the apps are available for download in the app stores. | Instagrocer |
Set up a URL on your corporate site that redirects to your e-commerce site. The redirect can be useful for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes. For example, you can create retailer.com/delivery and redirect it to shop.example-retailer.com/. | Retailer |
| Add a promotional banner on the retailer’s corporate website. Include a link to your e-commerce site and links to the apps in the app stores (if applicable). | Retailer |
After launch, log in to Instagrocer Platform Portal to view metrics associated with your e-commerce site. Your Instagrocer representative sets up administrator accounts in Instagrocer Platform Portal. Your administrator can create additional accounts for people in your organization.
Enhance
While your customers are shopping on your sites and apps, you can explore ways to enhance their experience and add more capabilities. Review the optional features listed in Enhance your storefront, then work with your Instagrocer representative to update your sites and apps. For a complete walkthrough of all setup steps, visit the onboarding guide.