Do you want to sell your products on social media platforms? You should, because social ecommerce is a great way to reach your customers and grow your business.
Social ecommerce is the process of selling your products directly on social media platforms. You can use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok to do this. You can show your products to your customers when they are scrolling through their feeds. You can also let them buy your products without leaving the app.
Social ecommerce is different from ecommerce, which means selling your products on a website or app. social ecommerce makes it easier for your customers to buy from you. They don’t have to switch between different platforms or fill out long forms. They can buy what they want with a few taps.
Social ecommerce is also more fun and social than ecommerce. You can use features like videos, live streams, influencer endorsements, user-generated content, and social proof to show your products and connect with your customers. You can also get feedback and reviews from your customers on social media.
Social ecommerce is growing fast, especially among young people who love social media. According to a report by eMarketer, social ecommerce sales will reach $604.5 billion by 2027, up from $89.4 billion in 2020.
If you want to take advantage of this opportunity and increase your sales, you need to have a good social ecommerce strategy. In this article, we will show you how to use social ecommerce for your business, what platforms and features you need, and some examples of brands that are doing it well.
How to Use Social Ecommerce for Your Business
Here are some tips to help you get started with social ecommerce:
- Choose the right platforms for your products and audience. Different social media platforms have different features and audiences, so you need to find the ones that suit your business best. For example, Instagram is great for visual products like fashion and beauty, while Pinterest is ideal for home decor and DIY projects.
- Create a catchy social media storefront. Your social media profile should be like a mini-website that shows your products and brand identity. You can use tools like Facebook Shops, Instagram Shops, Pinterest Catalogs, and TikTok Shop Now to create shoppable posts and collections that link to your checkout page.
- Use social media content to promote your products. You can use different types of content to attract and engage your customers on social media, such as images, videos, stories, reels, pins, and live streams. You can also work with influencers, celebrities, or customers who can recommend your products and drive traffic to your store.
- Provide great customer service and support. Social media is not only a place to sell your products but also a place to build relationships with your customers. You should answer their comments, questions, feedback, and reviews quickly and politely. You can also use chatbots or direct messages to offer help and suggestions.
- Measure and improve your performance. You should track and analyze your social ecommerce metrics, such as impressions, clicks, conversions, revenue, and return on ad spend (ROAS). You should also test different things, such as product images, descriptions, prices, offers, and audiences, to find out what works best for your business.
How Social Media Platforms Enable Social Ecommerce
So far, three major platforms have introduced social ecommerce features: Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Others are following them, such as Youtube and TikTok with “shop now” buttons and Twitter with a “Shop” button.
If you want to try this new revenue channel, here are the platforms you should use:
- Facebook: Facebook’s social ecommerce tool, Facebook Shops, is easy to set up and use. Shops are free and are part of your Facebook business profile. If you use an ecommerce platform that works with Facebook, you can sync your whole product list in seconds. If not, you can upload your product information with a spreadsheet. The Facebook Shop tab on the app shows products based on user preferences to help them find new brands.
- Instagram: Instagram’s social ecommerce tool, Instagram Shops, lets you create a curated storefront on your profile. You can also use shoppable tags on your feed posts (images and videos), stories (images or videos), reels (short videos), IGTV (long videos), or live streams (real-time videos) to let customers buy your products without leaving the app.
- Pinterest: Pinterest’s social ecommerce tool, Pinterest Catalogs, lets you upload your whole product catalog to Pinterest and turn it into shoppable pins. These pins link directly to your website where customers can complete their purchase. You can also use dynamic retargeting ads to reach customers who have shown interest in your products on Pinterest or other platforms.
Examples to Inspire You
Here are some examples of brands that are doing social ecommerce well:
- 100% PURE: This natural cosmetic brand uses Facebook Shops to create a smooth shopping experience for its customers. It also uses shoppable posts and stories on Instagram to show its products in action and drive traffic to its store.
- Milk Bar: This bakery chain uses Instagram Reels to share fun and creative videos of its desserts and cakes. It also uses shoppable tags to let customers order directly from the app.
- JUNO & Co: This beauty brand uses TikTok to create viral videos featuring its products and influencers. It also uses the Shop Now button to let customers buy its products without leaving the app.
- CLUSE: This watch brand uses Pinterest Catalogs to display its products in an organized and appealing way. It also uses shoppable pins to link directly to its website.
- Glamnetic: This magnetic eyelash brand uses Instagram Live Shopping to host live shows where it shows its products and talks with its customers. It also offers special discounts and free gifts for viewers who shop during the live stream.
How Shopify Can Help You with Social Ecommerce
Shopify is your ecommerce platform that works with different social media platforms and features. Shopify lets you sync your inventory, manage your orders, track your sales, and optimize your campaigns across different channels.
With Shopify, you can turn your social media followers into loyal customers and grow your business. Start your free 14-day trial today and see how Shopify can help you with social ecommerce.
