Over the globe, 93.5 percent of Internet users have made an online purchase. In light of this, it’s clear that anyone who isn’t selling their products or services online is leaving money on the table.
The online retail landscape, however, has recently gotten more cutthroat. Consider how challenging it is to adapt to ever-shifting consumer preferences. No, just because you use Shopify or another e-commerce platform doesn’t mean you can sit back and wait for the money to come in.
So what does “social commerce” entail?
To engage in social commerce is to engage in the business of selling goods and services using social media platforms.
Specifically, “directly” is the key word there. The practise is distinct from traditional eCommerce in which website visitors are diverted from social media platforms.
Every step of the buying process, from “window browsing” to interacting with the brand to completing the purchase via mobile app, is conducted entirely within the social media platform.
You have engaged in social commerce if you have ever clicked on an ad while scrolling through Facebook or Instagram, made a purchase, and then returned to your page.
Of course, commercials aren’t the only way social networks facilitate trade. With the introduction of shoppable pages, live shopping, and other social commerce-friendly features over the past several years, social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest have made it possible for marketers to provide convenient in-app purchasing options.
The Good Things About Online Social Shopping
So, what makes social commerce so significant? The advantages of this rapidly expanding medium for advertising are as follows.
With the use of social media, shopping and purchasing are now completely hassle-free.
Sales will suffer if clients are required to jump through unnecessary hurdles. Consumers have a reputation for being sluggish. If you let them go, they might never return.
This is frequently seen in online communities. The last thing you want to do to get people’s attention as they’re browsing through their social media feeds is to invite them to check out your online business. They may be interested in what you have to offer, but they won’t leave Facebook or Instagram to check it out.
Social commerce is distinct in that it integrates purchasing into a user’s existing social media activity. Customers are more likely to check out what you have to offer and make a purchase if your items are displayed in a way that eliminates any barriers to purchase.
Get in front of your ideal customers where they’re already spending time
Truth be told. No one uses social media to look for the latest and greatest designer summer watches or the most fashionable sneakers. People go there to have fun, get up-to-date information, and become motivated.
Whilst it isn’t their primary motivation, they are looking to learn about new brands. Nonetheless, due to the widespread nature of internet shopping, consumers are open to trying new products so long as the process isn’t very disruptive.
To “disrupt” clients effectively, you must provide them with pertinent offers at the appropriate time. In recent years, social media platforms’ sophisticated targeting algorithms have played a crucial role in propelling product discovery for companies.
So much so that companies may interact with target demographic at any point in the sales funnel, whenever and wherever it’s most likely to result in a positive response.
Make shopping more enjoyable by adding a personal touch
Consumers now anticipate individualised interactions with businesses. Customers aren’t likely to do business with you if you don’t treat them like VIPs.
When it comes to marketing, social commerce is one of the most effective methods for developing unique customer encounters.
In order to cater to individual tastes and interests, businesses may take advantage of the data they collect from their users using social commerce platforms. As a user is scrolling through their feed, an advertiser may increase the likelihood of a conversion by showing them “shoppable advertising” that are tailored to their interests.
Evidence from the Social Group
Most of the time, people model their purchasing habits after those they see around them. Social proof describes this type of influence. And this is especially noticeable in online communities.
After all, if someone we follow on Instagram recommends a product, we’re more inclined to give it a try.
In social commerce, there are several openings for businesses to benefit from the power of social proof.
Leading e-commerce platforms with a social twist
Facebook is the third most-visited website in the world, with 1.79 billion daily pageviews, trailing only Google and YouTube.
Think of the possibilities if you were able to leverage that audience to promote your products.
Creating a Facebook Store is the most efficient method. To begin with, it enables you to establish a fully functional, adaptable shop for your company on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
The following amenities are available in Facebook Stores:
- You may fill your online store with as many items as you like.
- Modify the selection of goods you provide
- Choose the items or groupings you want to highlight.
- Personalize everything from the text to the background to the layout.
- Talk to your clientele
It makes sense for companies to incorporate Instagram into their social commerce initiatives, as 50% of customers use the network to find new things to buy.
Instagram is ideal for this because of the emphasis on visual content. You’ll stand out from the crowd and get an advantage if you can create photographs and videos of professional quality that also attract viewers’ attention, and if you can combine them with interesting and engaging Content.
With Instagram Shopping, you can easily convert that interest into sales. The technology not only raises product awareness on Instagram, but it also boosts revenue by driving viewers directly to the relevant product pages.