In this article, we’ll discuss the Evolving Role of Social Media in the world of ecommerce. The topics range from creating video content, leveraging existing audiences, selling directly to customers, and SEO. Social media is now more important than ever for ecommerce.
Video content
The role of social media in ecommerce is becoming increasingly important, and brands can’t afford to ignore it. Facebook, for example, has a new feature whereby companies can target users based on age, location, or preferences.
This type of targeting makes it possible to target a specific demographic with targeted ads. Additionally, Facebook can measure results and report on the effectiveness of your advertising efforts.
Recent research suggests that social media has redefined the online sales process for ecommerce companies. The emphasis is no longer on pushing products and services, but on understanding your target audience as a person.
The more your audience engages with your brand, the greater the chance that they will make a purchase.
Leveraging existing audiences
Leveraging existing audiences in social media is one of the fastest growing forms of online sales. It differs from ecommerce sites that are stand-alone. With social media, businesses can create links that direct people to their online stores. Social media sites have the largest user bases, and are often used by brands and businesses looking to boost sales.
Last year, for example, 18.3% of US adults bought something on Facebook. In addition, 11.1% of adults purchased something on Instagram.
Selling directly to customers
Brands have tried for years to develop effective strategies for selling directly to customers via social media. For example, the retail apparel company J. Crew has made good use of social media to turn around sagging retail sales. Among its latest efforts is a promotional social campaign for its pink sunglasses line.
Using social media to sell directly to customers has many benefits. First of all, it makes the sales process more personalized and helps reduce friction between the discovery phase and the checkout process.
This in turn increases conversion rates. Another benefit is that social media ads are more affordable than traditional forms of advertising and marketing.
SEO
Ecommerce businesses are now increasingly turning to social media for increased traffic and sales. In addition to promoting products, social media allows retailers to learn what consumers want and what they don’t.
By monitoring the content of user pages and blogs, retailers can tailor their marketing strategy. This type of media can also help increase search engine rankings.
In the past, a business’s presence was signified by advertisements in the paper and a storefront. Today, a business’s reputation is defined by its social media presence. Brands use social media to promote their products, increase their online presence, and offer quality customer service.
This trend will continue in 2017 and beyond, but there will be new innovations as well.
