How Does Social Media Influence the Way We Shop?
There once was a time when social media sites such as Facebook and its kind were designed to be platforms in which users could simply share their thoughts and pictures. However, they have become so much more than that. Now, it is possible to get updates from some of your favourite companies as well as see what past customers have had to say about a particular product. Businesses can use a branded content agency to assist with this.
Online Shopping is King
In recent years, online shopping has seen unprecedented growth. It would seem as though individuals simply cannot resist the urge to be able to sit at home and click on any item they desire and have it arrive within a couple of days.
With that in mind, social media has absolutely changed the way in which individuals shop; many online brands have Shop Now buttons embedded directly into their social media accounts. This allows users to shop without even having to leave the social platform. For many users, they can simply be chatting about a specific product, then see an ad for that very product and buy it within a matter of clicks. In such cases, you could easily say your credit card never had a chance!
How About Those Reviews?
Have you ever ordered anything online and when you received it, it was nothing like you expected? I’m sure if you’ve spent any time on social media you have seen some of those horror stories of items people have ordered compared to what they actually got. It can be quite a mess!
Many people now use social platforms as a way to get in touch with companies, leave reviews and check out what other people have had to say. Being able to see what other customers say can be quite reassuring when purchasing items online.
In addition to this, users who have had positive experiences with a brand will typically recommend it to other users. It is nice to see that word-of-mouth is still essential in the world of tweets.
Influencers – What About Them?
If you spend a lot of time on social media, you have more than likely have seen a huge influx in social media influencers. These are the people who have an abundance of followers and tend to have a specific niche. Research has shown that 60% of consumers have specific people they trust online – and trust them over brands and celebrities.
When you see one of your favourite fashion or food profiles sharing thoughts and a new product, this gives a boost to the credibility of the product, thus encouraging you to give it a try.
How to Make Social Media Work for Your Business
Many businesses fear social media as a way to get possible bad reviews from customers. To be honest, there is nothing to panic about. You can easily turn a bad review into something good. If you happen to get a bad review on one of your social media accounts, it gives you the opportunity to respond in real time right in front of hundreds, if not thousands, of followers. This is going to show all of your followers that you are a business that truly cares about the customer.
In addition, you can use all of your social media platforms as an incredible market-research tool. As you take the time to read through customer comments, you will notice certain suggestions pop up time and time again. This gives you inside knowledge about some of the most important people to your business: Your customers. You can use all of these thoughts to improve your business and stay on top of your game!
It’s More Than Just Shopping
While social media has changed the way individuals shop, it has also changed the way in which we interact with companies.
Have you noticed, for instance, when there is flight delay, how many tweets with brand-mention go out at once? Social media has given customers a direct line to the company; it allows customers to have instant access to questions and get the gratification they need.
If you are not on social media yet, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and create an incredible social media campaign!
