In today’s world, accessing services or buying things has undergone a massive transformation. The credit for this revolution goes to the internet, as it has made it all possible. With people having access to the internet from almost every corner of the world, eCommerce has witnessed a tremendous global expansion. Buying, selling, or even conducting business operations have become easier, faster, and more efficient thanks to eCommerce – a true game-changer in the modern era!
Looking towards the future of eCommerce? Unsure if it’s worth sticking with? Fear not, for the world of eCommerce is growing at a tantalizing pace! From Gen Z college students to seasoned business folk, everyone is getting in on the action. So why not join in and see where eCommerce can take you? Let’s dive into the future together.
The latest statistics indicate that over 5 billion people “63.1 of the global population” use the internet. Out of these, 4.7 billion people are on social media. Many people who are on social media use at least one social platform and most of these users are active on more than one social site.
That means that any entrepreneur or business owner would surely benefit from social media whether to promote, sell products and services, widen the customer base, build customer relationships, or reinforce the existing ones.
For that matter, in case you’re an eCommerce startup or would love to embark on a business venture sometime in the future, we would like to help you explore the different dimensions of social media for eCommerce and how to go about it.
In this article, you will learn what it means for an eCommerce business to be on social media, its significance, how to set up an eCommerce social media profile, and the crucial tips to follow while running it. So, let’s get started.
Social Media & eCommerce
The modern era presents a wide range of opportunities for starting and running a business. Currently, no matter the type, size, or industry, any business can leverage social media to build a formidable online presence. Precisely, whether B2B or B2C, any business can expand its digital presence from a website to social media.
A strong digital presence can help an eCommerce business not only to optimize digital marketing efforts and build a powerful brand image but also helps to provide an omnichannel experience to customers. That’s generally true for startups since a social platform can enhance brand invisibility and awareness.
Many social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram also serve as selling platforms for eCommerce businesses. To substantiate, Statista shows that worldwide sales through social media were projected at $992 billion (U.S.D) in 2022. And without a doubt, sales through social media are expected to increase.
The rate at which businesses are invading social media platforms has also led to the popularity of social media marketing. This practice refers to the promotion of brands and businesses on social platforms. If you haven’t yet taken your business to social media, it is high time you did so. Social media can help bridge the gap between your eCommerce startup and improve customer interactions. But which social media platforms will you benefit from the most?
Although social media platforms are a definite channel for retail and enhancing the popularity of any eCommerce startup, it should be noted that not all social media platforms work the same. Over the passage of time, social media sites have proven to attract different types of audiences which eCommerce players may have to discern before setting up a social media profile or embarking on social media marketing.
Statistics indicate that Facebook is a go-to for all ages and individuals, but it is mainly a marketplace for baby boomers. On the other hand, Instagram is the finest eCommerce portal for millennials and Gen Z. So, all these dynamics must be evaluated by an eCommerce startup, depending on the target audience and type of business.
So, here are a few social media platforms an eCommerce startup can benefit from:
Facebook
Looking for a social platform to sell your products, market your services, or connect with a wider audience? Facebook is the answer. The social media site boasts a whopping 2.32 billion monthly active users. It also caters to business operations. As a business owner, you can set up a Facebook business account to simplify business operations and marketing efforts.
Instagram
Although Instagram is a relatively newer platform, it is currently a must-have for eCommerce businesses and enterprises. If you want to engage your customers in a more sophisticated way, sell or market products, Instagram is a go-to. The social platform has over 2 billion active users characterized by 53% of adults aged 18, and above. You just need to gain a good Instagram presence to get maximum results.
Pinterest
Pinterest is an image-sharing social platform and is commonly used for business purposes. It is a top choice when it comes to showcasing business ideas, identifying opportunities, or marketing a business. The social site allows its users to create beautiful images, GIFs, infographics, or videos to attract buyers or showcase talent. Regardless of the products one sells or the nature of business i.e., catering, interior design, or photography, one can truly benefit from the platform.
Twitter
Twitter offers eCommerce startups more exposure since it registers 450 million monthly active users. These consist of influencers, celebrities, business professionals, and consumers. An eCommerce startup can utilize the platform for extended outreach, lead generation, and conversion optimization.
YouTube
When it comes to video marketing, YouTube is the top choice for businesses, although favorable for digital marketing rather than selling products. However, through YouTube ads and videos, eCommerce startups can increase brand awareness and direct viewers to their eCommerce sites.
Depending on what you sell or your goal, an eCommerce business can also benefit from establishing its presence on other social platforms LinkedIn, TikTok, and Snapchat.
How to Set up a Social Media Profile for an eCommerce Startup?
The major reason behind setting up a business social media account for an eCommerce startup is mainly to build lasting relationships with customers, attract potential ones, or promote products. But social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Pinterest provide marketplaces where merchants can sell their products. These also offer a range of features that allow eCommerce site owners to upload products. Or share related information for example prices.
If you want to understand the best social media platform to invest in, you must conduct a SWOT Analysis. The SWOT method can help you analyze a platform’s strengths and weaknesses effectively. Then after, you can set up a social media profile, and here is how you can go about it.
Boost your online presence by setting up a business page! It’s easy – you can either use your already existing personal account or sign up for a new one. Once you’re signed in, simply navigate to the “pages” header on your profile page and choose the “Local Business” option. From there, you can customize your page by adding your business information and website link. It’s the perfect way to attract visitors and keep your customer base growing!
Let’s spice up the information a bit! Are you an aspiring entrepreneur looking to showcase your products on Facebook? Look no further than the “marketplace” option! Facebook’s marketplace allows you to flex your merchandising skills and sell products to potential customers all in one convenient location.
But don’t forget, the presentation is everything! Make sure to catch the eye of potential buyers by posting irresistible descriptions and high-quality images. And when it comes to getting paid, Facebook’s got your back with easy options like PayPal or Stripe. Start selling and watch your small business soar!
Setting Up a Business Profile on Instagram
Let’s start by dazzling your potential customers with Instagram for your start-up! Create a business profile that showcases your products in all their glory – easy peasy. But why stop there? To make sure your customers can get their hands on your awesome offerings, guide them straight to your eCommerce site with the click of a button or offer up your business details for that personal touch. Time to give your start-up the engagement it deserves!
On Instagram, you can apply to join the exclusive club of shops authenticated by Meta. Once approved, you’ll have access to a sleek, user-friendly view shop that lets customers easily purchase your wares with a built-in checkout feature.
And that’s just the beginning – Instagram has a bunch of tools and features at your disposal, including stories, ads, carousels, videos, and images to help you showcase your products and grow your presence on the platform. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by – set up shop and start selling today!
Setting Up a Business Profile on Pinterest
Are you aware that your Pinterest account has the potential to make your business soar? With a business profile, the sky’s the limit! Not only do you get access to exclusive benefits like Pinterest Business Hub and Analytics, but you can also create a variety of unique Pins and upload catalogs to showcase your products. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to show off your business and take it to the next level with a brand-new Pinterest business account!
You’ll start by clicking “sign up” and selecting “create a business account”. Fill in your info, and create a password – your account is born! Now it’s time to make your profile shine. Fill out your business description and important details, and get ready to level up. When you click “next”, you’ll get the option to run ads – and then it’s on to the next step.
Ready to take the plunge? Click X and behold your brand new Pinterest business account. It’s time to start pinning and making waves in the online world. Let’s go!
Note: Pinterest also allows users to convert a personal account into a business account or create a linked business account.
Special Tip for Using Social Media for eCommerce
Leveraging social media for marketing and eCommerce requires strategic approaches and consistency. That’s because having a stable and reinforced social media presence can partly help in establishing and maintaining the most crucial Key Performance Indicators for business success today.
With that, some of the most important things any merchant must keep in mind while running an eCommerce business profile on social media include:
Have a Content Marketing Strategy
A content marketing strategy is a roadmap an eCommerce site owner follows to engage, attract, and retain customers. Some of the best approaches to developing an effective content marketing strategy include identifying the target audience, establishing goals, focusing on content quality, and tracking results.
Leverage Add-on Tools
Growing an eCommerce business isn’t easy, but social media can partly simplify it. Many social media sites like Facebook and Instagram offer a range of features that allow merchants to sell directly or manage customer orders. However, there is also a range of social media tools that can help eCommerce players operate efficiently. These include Buffer, Hootsuite, and Sprout Social among others.
Be Consistent
Growing an eCommerce startup on social media will also require consistency. Keep engaging your audience from time to time, plan when to post content, ensure brand authenticity, and use high-quality images. Also, remember that apart from social media marketing, off-page SEO is another game changer for eCommerce sites. E-commerce site owners can invest in SEO, whether local SEO or off-page SEO to grow their businesses.
Starting up a social media account and profile for an eCommerce startup is quite easy, almost on every social media platform. However, it’s crucial to understand the parameters of conducting business on a social media platform as per your business goals. This piece has dissected several dimensions of social media when it comes to eCommerce. We hope it helps you out during decision-making.
This article is written by Jessica Robinson. Jessica loves to write interesting and knowledgeable blogs regarding business management, education, and life to satiate the curiosity of her lovely readers. Currently, she is serving as a content manager at the ‘Speaking Polymath’. Every piece of content that she writes demonstrates her immense love and passion for her profession.
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Web developer and SEO specialist with 20+ years of experience in open-source web development, digital marketing, and search engine optimization. He is also the moderator of this blog "RS Web Solutions (RSWEBSOLS)".
