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Guest user shopping

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This capability is available with Storefront Pro 5.

Customers can browse your store and add items to their cart without logging in by shopping as a guest. However, they must log in or create an account to check out and complete their purchase.

Guest shopping is available only on the web app and iOS app, and is enabled by default. Contact your Instacart representative if you want to turn this feature off.

Your storefront uses the customer’s location to show store-specific catalogs. Guests can either accept the suggested location or choose another one. They might select a different location if location services are turned off or if they’re shopping for someone else.

While shopping as a guest, customers can't access Favorite items, Order history, or Buy it again features.

On the app, guests can start shopping without logging in by selecting Continue as guest. The following image shows the sign up page in the iOS app with Login or continue as guest:

Shows a "Sign up" screen with options to input a phone number or select the "Email" tab, click a green "Continue" button after agreeing to the "Terms of Service" and "Privacy Policy", sign up via social platforms (Google, Facebook, or Apple), and "Login or continue as guest" (in green text, highlighted in an orange box).

Example journey​

In this example, a guest arrives on a storefront using the retailer's web app. Storefront estimates the guest's ZIP code/postal code from their location information. The guest changes the location and Storefront displays the catalog for a store close to the selected location.

  1. A guest visits a storefront using the retailer's web app. The storefront estimates the guest's ZIP or postal code based on location data. The following image shows an example of confirming your postal code:

    Shows a pop-up asking, "Is H3A3J5 your postal code?" with options to "Update postal code" (gray button) or "Confirm" (green button). Subtext says, "See more accurate delivery and pickup times for stores near you." Below, a green link reads, "Already have an account? Log in."

  2. The guest updates the location, and the storefront displays a catalog for the store closest to the selected location. The following image shows the Choose address screen:

    Shows an address selection screen with a search field at the top pre-filled with "190 Lib." Below, there is a list of suggested addresses with their corresponding cities and postal codes. At the bottom, there is a link to manually create an address if it's not listed.

  3. The storefront displays the ZIP or postal code and asks the guest to confirm it or enter a new one. The guest verifies the address and clicks Save Address. The following image shows the Save Address button:

    Shows an address entry form with a map at the top marking the location, "Street address" pre-filled with "190 Liberty Street", optional fields: "Apt, floor, suite, etc" and "Business name", "Postal code" set to "M6K3L5, Toronto, ON", a "Delivery instructions" text box, and a green Save Address button.

  4. The guest browses the store, adds items to the cart, and clicks Go to checkout when finished. From the checkout page, they can log in or create an account. The following image shows an example of the Create an account screen:

    Shows a screen prompting users to create an account. It says, "Please up or log in to Instacart to continue checking out and receive your order receipt via email." A large green Sign In / Register button is also shown.

  5. The guest clicks the Sign In/Register button, and follows the instructions to create an account. When the process is complete, they are logged in as a customer, and the checkout continues as normal.

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