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This story originally appeared on ClickOnDetroit.com.

Author:  Lisa Alberts, VP Creative Strategy | @la_alberts

Contrary to popular belief, Instagram isn’t just for selfies and snapshots of your lunch. Sure, users don’t hold back on posting photos of their most picturesque provisions but that’s not the only thing we’re all doing on the app.

According to a recent study by Forrester, Instagram delivered brands 58 times more engagement than Facebook, and 120 times more engagement than Twitter. We’re connecting with brands much more on Instagram than our other social networks and, good for us, retailers big and small have taken note.

Remember scrolling through your feed and noticing those Ugg slippers you didn’t know you couldn’t live without? (Alongside a delectable breakfast still life, of course.) You can now buy these slippers directly from Instagram. Well, almost.Shop On Instagram

Nordstrom is one of the first big name brands to roll out Like2Buy, a service from Curalate. You simply click the link in their profile and you’ll be shown all of their purchasable product photos. Then just click the product you want and you’re taken directly to that product page on Nordstrom.com. You may not actually be buying on Instagram but the service saves you the hassle of searching for the item on their website.

Independent retailers and individual makers tend to be more nimble and don’t need a service like Like2Buy to make Instagram selling work for them. Many small retailers are selling their wares directly on the app. And, as a shopper, it couldn’t be simpler to purchase from these small and often local brands.

Orikami Organics, a maker out of Ferndale, sells organic and handcrafted body care products and baby apparel. She often runs flash sales on her Instagram account, providing clear instructions on how to purchase. You simply leave your PayPal email in a comment, along with any relevant info like size or color, and you’ll receive an invoice for the item within 24 hours.

Whiskey and Honey is another small brand utilizing the photo-sharing platform for selling. They sell vintage apparel and home goods and host specific sales every few nights. As with Orikami Organics, they offer clear instructions on how to purchase an item; simply leave your email address and postal code. Once you receive your invoice you have one hour to pay otherwise the item goes back up for sale.

You’ve already been digital window shopping on Instagram and now you can actually snag some goodies while you’re scrolling.

To find more retailers selling on the app, harness the power of the hashtag. Try searching #flashsale, #instashop, or #onlineboutique and go shopping without leaving your sofa, or your browser window.

Do you shop on Instagram? We’d love to hear your must-follow accounts in the comments!

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