Article

How Social Commerce Works: Mastering Social Shopping

Published on

May 24, 2022

Category

Brands & Agencies

AUTHOR

Julian Slosse

What is social commerce and how does it work?

Social commerce is a type of e-commerce that takes place on social media platforms. Unlike traditional e-commerce sites, which are designed to drive sales through product listings and descriptions, social commerce relies on user interactions and recommendations to promote products and generate sales.

In many cases, social commerce products are sold directly through social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. However, some social commerce companies also operate their own standalone websites or apps. Social commerce typically relies on visual content, such as product photos and videos, to generate interest and drive sales. User reviews and recommendations are also key components of social commerce.

By providing potential customers with direct access to real-world feedback, social commerce platforms can create a sense of trust and transparency that is often lacking in traditional e-commerce transactions.

What are the advantages of selling on social media?

The benefits of selling on social media are many and varied! If your business is not focusing the majority of your time on growing your brand awareness and online sales (especially if you are an ecom based brand) then you are missing out on a lot of potential customers.

The most common advantages include:

  • Increased visibility for your products: With over two billion active users on social media platforms, selling through social media gives you access to a vast potential customer base that you might not otherwise reach.
  • Greater engagement with potential customers: Social media allows you to directly engage with potential customers and get their feedback in real time. This can be invaluable for developing and marketing new products.
  • Improved customer service: Social media platforms provide an easy way for customers to reach out with questions or concerns. By responding quickly and efficiently to customer service inquiries, you can create a positive brand image and build customer loyalty.
  • Personalised marketing: Unlike traditional advertising, social media marketing allows you to target specific demographics and interests. This ensures that your marketing efforts are more likely to reach the right people and result in sales.
  • Cost effective marketing: The days of spending millions of dollars on television or print advertising are gone. Social media marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to reach your target market. This is mainly due to a simple supply and demand equation – there are more businesses than there are social media users, so the cost of reaching each potential customer is lower.

What are the most effective platforms for social commerce?

There is no one answer to this question, as the most effective social commerce platforms will vary depending on your product, target market, and marketing goals. For example, if you are selling products that are mainly visual in nature, such as clothing or cosmetics, platforms like Instagram and Snapchat may be more effective than Facebook or Twitter.

Similarly, if you are targeting millennials or Gen Z consumers, platforms like TikTok and Snapchat may be more effective than Facebook or Instagram. Ultimately, the best way to determine which social media platforms are most effective for your business is to experiment and see what works best for you.

Sales strategies for social media selling are always changing and evolving. As the platforms themselves grow and change, so too do the ways that users interact with them. For businesses looking to sell on social media websites, it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices.

When it comes to specific social media platforms, there are a few best practices to keep in mind. For example, on Facebook, businesses should create a dedicated shop page that showcases their products. On Instagram, meanwhile, it is important to use high-quality images and videos to show off your products. And on Twitter, regular tweets featuring links to your product pages can help increase traffic and conversions.

Tips and best practices for selling on social media websites

If you're like most businesses, you've probably realized by now that social media is essential for promoting your products or services. And while there are many different ways to market on social media, one of the most effective is to sell directly through these platforms. However, selling on social media can be tricky, and it's important to know the best practices before getting started.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Use high-quality images: This is especially important on visual-heavy platforms like Instagram. Make sure your product photos are clear and professional-looking.

2. Write engaging descriptions: Your descriptions should be both informative and persuasive. Be sure to highlight the key features and benefits of your product in an appealing way.

3. Create irresistible offers: Offers like discounts and free shipping can be a great way to boost sales on social media. Just be sure to make your offer irresistible so that people are tempted to take advantage of it.

4. Provide excellent customer service: This is important no matter where you're selling, but it's especially crucial on social media, where people can quickly spread the word about their positive (or negative) experiences. respond promptly to questions and concerns, and go above and beyond to resolve any issues.

5. Use the power of influencer marketing:  Influencer marketing can be a great way to reach new potential customers on social media. Find influencers in your niche who are willing to promote your products, and offer them a commission for every sale they generate. It's important to find influencers who have a large and engaged following, as well as good rapport with their audience.

By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to selling successfully on social and skyrocket your online sales! At Influencer DNA, we specialise in helping businesses connect with influencers who can promote their products or services. Contact us today to learn more about our services. Unlike other Influencer platforms, we handpick the best Influencers regardless of your  budget. So if you're looking to take your social media selling to the next level, we can help run your first Influencer campaigns that actually provides an ROI!

E-commerce using social media is the wave of the future

In today's world of rapidly evolving technology and widespread connectivity, e-commerce is more important than ever. Whether we're buying clothes, food, furniture, or any other consumer products, we can access those goods with a few clicks on our phones or laptops.

Social media has become a major platform for connecting consumers and businesses alike. With its massive user base and networking capabilities, it's the perfect place to promote and sell goods online. In fact, using social media to leverage e-commerce is the wave of the future.

From small start-ups to established brands and retailers, businesses are increasingly turning to social media as a primary channel for reaching consumers. Because platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest offer such broad exposure and instant feedback from users all over the world, they are the ideal tool for drumming up excitement about new products or driving sales of existing ones.

A well-designed social media strategy can help build massive brand awareness while also driving traffic directly to an online store or marketplace like Amazon or Etsy. Ultimately, then, social media is shaping the future of e-commerce as we know it.

Conclusion

 Social commerce is the next frontier for eCommerce. It’s where online shoppers buy and sell products and services through social media platforms. In this post, we’ve outlined how social commerce works and shared some tips on mastering social shopping.

At Influencer DNA, we help brands harness the power of social media and Influencers to drive sales. If you need help getting started with social commerce or want to learn more about our services, contact us today. We would be happy to chat with you!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julian Slosse