How To Make Money With Instacart?

I understand how hard it is to make money these days, which is why many people are considering side jobs such as Instacart for additional income. However, starting something new can feel scary because you might make mistakes.

But with the right strategies, it becomes easy to make money with Instacart. I’ve got some insider tips from experienced shoppers who’ve been hustling with Instacart for years and making money. I’m sharing their tips and tricks in this guide.

Whether you’re looking to make Instacart your full-time hustle or just want to make some extra cash, these tips will help you earn money with Instacart quickly.

Know About Instacart

Instacart offers a grocery delivery and pick-up service in the United States and Canada. Users can place orders through the Instacart website or mobile app, which are then fulfilled by personal shoppers who handpick items from participating local retailers.

Its extensive network enables consumers to purchase goods from numerous categories such as grocery stores, liquor stores, wholesale clubs, convenience stores, and pet supply stores.

Instacart personal shoppers save users precious time spent physically browsing and waiting in line at retail locations.

According to the report, Instacart topped the list for generating the most downloads in the delivery apps category in 2022, with 8.69 million downloads

Revenue and Sales

• Instacart reportedly generated $3 billion in revenue in 2023, a 19% increase from the previous year.
• Total sales on Instacart are expected to reach $45 billion by the end of 2024.
• The platform’s Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) is expected to touch $27 billion by 2025

How To Make Money With Instacart?

To make money on Instacart, you can become a full-service shopper or an in-store shopper. Here’s how each role works:

Full-Service Shopper

Full-service shoppers pick up, load, and deliver orders to customers. They are independent contractors, which means they handle their own taxes.

Requirement to become a full-time Instacart shopper:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a valid driver’s license and access to a car.
• Have insurance coverage that meets state requirements.
• Have a set of insulated bags.
• Pass a background check.

Full-service shoppers get paid for each order they complete. How much they earn depends on the number of items, the type of items, the driving distance, and how much effort is needed.

The minimum pay is $4 per order, but it can be over $10. Shoppers can earn more when there is high demand, like on Sundays or during big events. They also get tips in addition to their pay for each order.

In-Store Shopper

In-store shoppers work scheduled shifts in the store. They shop for orders but do not deliver them. They are part-time employees of the company, which handles their taxes. To qualify, you must:

• Be 18 years or older
• Be allowed to work in the U.S. or Canada
• Have a smartphone (Android 5.0+ or iOS 9+)
• Be able to lift 30 pounds or more
• Follow the company’s food safety rules

In-store shoppers get paid an hourly wage stated in their contract. If they shop a full order, they get at least $7-$10, depending on location.

If they only deliver an order, the minimum pay is $5. They also keep all customer tips, which average $5 per order. On average, in-store shoppers can earn $15 or more per hour, but this depends on the location and other factors.

Tips To Increase Earnings on Instacart

To make more money working for Instacart, you can follow these helpful tips:

Plan Your Day

To increase your earnings while working as a shopper for Instacart, it’s important to have a strategy and approach your work in an organized, efficient manner.

First, plan your day wisely by determining how many orders you can realistically handle without becoming overwhelmed or burning yourself out.

Set boundaries for yourself in terms of hours worked and number of orders accepted. Having a solid plan will help you maximize your productivity and earnings on Instacart.

Give Great Customer Service

Providing excellent customer service is key to earning higher tips and getting prioritized for more orders from Instacart.

Go above and beyond by communicating clearly, following special instructions carefully, choosing high-quality grocery items, and delivering orders promptly.

Satisfied customers are much more likely to rate you highly, which can lead to increased earnings over time as you get access to more orders.

Work Early Morning Hours

Pay attention to the best days and times to work for maximum earnings potential. Early morning hours tend to have more available orders pop up, including some of the higher-paying ones.

Getting a head start allows you to claim these lucrative orders before other shoppers. Additionally, certain days of the week or times of day may be busier than others in your specific area.

Choose Orders Close Together

When selecting which orders to accept, opt for ones that are relatively close together geographically.

Having all your orders in the same vicinity saves a significant amount of time and gas money from driving back and forth across town. This allows you to complete more orders per hour, directly increasing your hourly earnings rate.

Check Out Quickly

Efficiency is critical when shopping in the grocery store itself. Become a pro at quickly finding items, navigating checkout lines, and bagging items properly.

The faster you can get in and out of the store, the sooner you can get back on the road to deliver orders and receive your next batch of orders from Instacart. Developing these skills increases your earnings capability.

Take Multiple Orders Together

If you are able to accept multiple orders for delivery, look for ones with delivery locations clustered in the same neighborhood or area.

This allows you to optimize your route by dropping off all the orders in one concentrated driving trip rather than crisscrossing all over town between each delivery. Major time and gas savings here.

Look for Bonus Opportunities

Stay up-to-date on any bonuses, promotions, or incentives that Instacart cycles through periodically.

Taking advantage of bonus-earning opportunities like guaranteed earnings for completing a set number of orders can really boost your overall income for that period. Check official communications from Instacart so you don’t miss out.

How Much Does Instacart Pay?

The amount of money you can earn through Instacart depends on several variables, one of them being your specific job role within the platform.

As an In-Store Shopper, you will be offered an hourly wage, which will be outlined clearly in your employment contract. This rate tends to vary based on location, so ensure you double-check what applies to your area before accepting the position.

On the other hand, when working as a Full-Service Shopper, things get slightly more complex due to fluctuating income streams.

For each completed full-service order, Instacart ensures that you receive a base payment ranging between $7 and $10, with regional differences affecting the exact sum.

Based on various elements such as the sheer volume of orders completed, potential customer tips, and available bonuses, savvy shoppers could potentially rake in approximately $15 or even higher per hour.

Ambitious individuals who play their cards right may very well hit $100 daily.

Application Process To Become an Instacart Shopper

To apply to become an Instacart shopper, you can follow these steps:

1. Application Process Overview:
   • Visit shoppers.instacart.com in the U.S. or shoppers.instacart.ca in Canada to start the application process.
   • You can also use the Instacart app for iOS or Android to apply.
   • The application process is straightforward and allows you to complete it in multiple sittings.
2. Application Steps:
   • Enter basic personal information like name, address, and phone number.
   • Provide details about your vehicle if applying as a Full-Service Shopper.
   • Undergo a background check that can take up to 10 days.
3. Role-Specific Application Process:
   • Full-Service Shopper: The entire process is handled online.
   • In-Store Shopper: Instacart will follow up via email for the next steps, including in-person onboarding.
4. Next Steps:
   • If applying for an In-Store Shopper role, you may need to attend an in-person onboarding session after approval.
5. Completion and Follow-Up:
   • Once you complete the application process, you may need to wait for approval before starting your role as an Instacart shopper.

What are The Responsibilities of an Instacart Shopper?

When you work as an Instacart shopper, your main job is to go to the grocery store and shop for the items that customers have ordered. You are responsible for carefully picking out all the food and other products on the customer’s list.

In addition to doing the shopping part, some Instacart shoppers also have to deliver the groceries right to the customer’s home after they have finished shopping at the store. This means you pick up the order and make sure to get it to the customer’s address in a timely manner without any delays.

It’s important that Instacart shoppers select the right items accurately and complete the shopping part efficiently. This ensures the customer gets exactly what they ordered and their delivery arrives on time as expected.

Instacart has specific policies about food safety and other rules that shoppers must follow. This helps maintain a high-quality service and makes sure customers are satisfied with their orders. As an Instacart shopper, you need to understand and obey all these policies and guidelines.

What Are The Busiest Times For Instacart Shoppers To Make Money?

The best times for Instacart shoppers to make the most money are usually on weekends, especially early Saturday mornings.

Weekends are the busiest times for both Instacart customers and shoppers.

As soon as grocery stores open on Saturday mornings, many shoppers check the Instacart app around 6:30-7:00 am to accept the highest-paying orders before others can.

Getting an early start allows shoppers to get the best morning orders and earn more money. Weekday evenings can also be a popular time when people want groceries after work but don’t want to go shopping themselves.

Can You Earn Money on Instacart Without Being a Delivery Driver?

You can make money with Instacart without having to deliver groceries. Instacart has a role called an “in-store shopper.”

These shoppers use the Instacart app to receive orders, and then go shopping inside the grocery store to find and gather all the items the customer wants.

The in-store shopper gets the order ready for customer pickup but doesn’t actually deliver it.

In-store shoppers get paid an hourly wage rather than per delivery. They work shifts at the store based on their available hours. This allows people to earn money from Instacart just by shopping for orders, without needing to make any deliveries.

How Do You Claim Batches With Instacart?

To get Instacart grocery batches, shoppers need a good GPS signal and internet connection so the shopper app works well.

They should position themselves near busy grocery stores to increase the chances of getting batches quickly.

Shoppers must maintain a rating of 4.7 or higher, except for new shoppers on their first 10 batches.

Once near a store’s highlighted area in the app, shoppers can access available batches – with priority given to top shoppers like Diamond Carts or new shoppers’ first 10 batches.

Completing certifications and opting in for special deliveries like alcohol can help get more batches.

Having an active payment card ready is also important since some stores require it to check out. Following these steps maximizes a shopper’s ability to successfully claim and accept Instacart grocery batches.

Pros and Cons of Working as Instacart Shopper

Pros	Cons
Flexible schedule: You can work as little or as much as you want, making it suitable for those who need a side gig or have other commitments.	Inconsistent income: Your earnings can vary widely depending on the number of orders you receive and the size of the orders.
Be your own boss: You are an independent contractor, which means you have the freedom to choose your own working hours and conditions.	No employee benefits: As an independent contractor, you don’t receive benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions.
Earn money quickly: You can start earning money as soon as you’re approved to work for Instacart.	Wear and tear on your vehicle: You’ll be using your personal vehicle for deliveries, which can lead to increased maintenance costs and faster depreciation.
Potential for tips: Customers have the option to tip, which can increase your overall earnings.	Physical demands: The job involves a lot of walking, lifting, and carrying heavy items, which can be physically demanding.
Work locally: You can choose to work in your neighborhood or nearby areas, which minimizes commuting time and costs.	Limited growth opportunities: There is little room for advancement or career growth within the company.
Meet new people: You’ll have the opportunity to interact with different customers on a daily basis.	Responsible for expenses: You’re responsible for covering your own expenses, such as gas, car insurance, and phone data plans.

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