Social media has become an indispensable tool for businesses in today’s digital age. You need it to connect with your target audience, boost your brand’s visibility, and drive sales.
But most businesses and even beginner marketers don’t fully understand how to use social media for ecommerce.
If you’re one of them, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re new to social media or looking to enhance your existing social media strategy for ecommerce, this blog is here to help.
We’ve compiled ten effective social media ecommerce strategies that can propel your brand to new heights. So, grab your favorite snack, sit back, and get ready to unlock the potential of social media for your ecommerce business.
Let’s get started!
What is Ecommerce Social Media Marketing?
Ecommerce social media marketing refers to the strategic use of social media platforms to promote, sell, engage, and support customers in the context of ecommerce.
Some of the most common ways brands use social media for ecommerce marketing include:
- Setting up online shops and selling products directly on social platforms (this is known as social commerce)
- Promoting brands on social media accounts and driving traffic to online stores (ecommerce websites)
- Replying to customer queries and engaging with potential customers to build trust
- Offering customer support before and after sales
- Using customer insights and data to revamp marketing strategies
But why do brands do all of this? What’s the benefit of having a social media presence? Let’s try to understand.
What Are the Benefits of Using Social Media for Ecommerce?
Social media is a game-changer for ecommerce businesses, offering a wide array of benefits, such as:
- Increasing Website Traffic & Generating Leads
- To Build Brand Awareness
- Building Customer Loyalty & Trust
- Acquiring New Customers
- Creating Opportunities for User-Generated Content (UGC)
- Improving Customer Service
- Engaging with Target Audiences in Real-Time
- Enhancing SEO Efforts & Search Rankings
Fact: Did you know that online stores leveraging social media networks drive 32% more sales than those that don’t? (WPForms)
This stat alone should get you excited about crafting an effective social media strategy for your ecommerce business!
So, now that you know what ecommerce social media marketing is and the benefits it offers let’s look at how to use it.
10 Powerful Social Media Ecommerce Strategies
Here are ten powerful social media ecommerce strategies you can employ to drive sales for your brand:
1. Set Clear Goals
Setting clear and measurable goals should be the first step in your social media ecommerce strategy. Goals will provide you with direction, help measure success, and hold you accountable.
But what kind of goals should you set?
The most common ones can be:
- Drive Sales on Your Social Profile
- Drive Traffic to Your Ecommerce Store
- Get More Customer Queries/Leads
Other than these, you might want people to subscribe to your newsletter or loyalty programs.
These and other similar targets could all be part of your e-commerce social media goals.
But the important thing here is to decide whether you want to do social selling, social commerce, or social media ecommerce marketing.
Social Selling vs. Social Commerce vs. Social Media Ecommerce: What’s the Difference?
Social selling is the practice of using social media to attract your target audience, engage with them, and nurture your relationship with them.
You don’t actually sell them anything but make them remember and trust your brand or business. So, when they’re in the buying mode, they know who they’d be calling – that’s social selling!
Social commerce involves marketing and selling your product (or service) directly on social media platforms.
Social media users can stay on their social profiles, read about the product/service, and buy it — all of this without leaving the platform.
Facebook, TikTok, Instagram Shops and Pinterest Product Pins are typical examples of social commerce being executed.
Social media ecommerce marketing is what we’re studying in the blog right now: marketing your product, generating leads, and helping future prospects on social media but then driving them to your online stores.
So, first, decide what it’s gonna be for you and then move forward.
2. Build Your Social Media Strategy for Ecommerce
After you’ve set your goals, build a comprehensive ecommerce social media marketing strategy that helps you achieve them.
Your strategy should include the following:
Define Your Target Audiences
- Who are your potential customers?
- Are they millennials or Gen Z?
- What do they like and dislike?
- What interests them?
These insights will help you create relevant content, campaigns, and offers.
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Create Relevant Content
- Research the type of content that resonates best with your target audiences — blogs, videos, images?
- Study your target market and see what kind of content attracts them.
- Use this knowledge to create content that will help you engage with them.
But before you can do any of this, there’s an even more important decision to make: “What platforms should you choose?”
3. Choose Your Preferred Social Media Channels
Which social media platforms should your business have an active presence on?
This largely depends on who you’re targeting. For example, Gen Zee tends to be more active on TikTok and Instagram, while millennials prefer Facebook and Twitter.
But don’t depend on our or somebody else’s opinion. Study your target audience and see what the data suggests.
For instance, if your target audience primarily comprises women, it might be a good idea to have a Pinterest profile. Why? Because women make up 60% of all Pinterest users!
Similarly, you can study age demographic stats and see where your audience spends the most time and choose a platform accordingly.
Besides your target audience, also consider each platform’s features and ROI. It doesn’t make sense to invest heavily in a channel that won’t give you the desired results.
So, think carefully and choose wisely!
4. Optimize Your Profiles
Once you’ve chosen the platform(s), it’s time to optimize your profile.
Make sure that all your social media profiles have the necessary information about your brand and products, such as its logo, contact details, website URL, etc.
This will help customers get to know your business better and trust you more.
Also, don’t forget to do proper keyword research. It will help you figure out the best words to use in your descriptions and hashtags to use in your posts to get more people interested.
5. Have a “Mobile-First” Approach
Out of 4.48 billion social media users, 99% access the websites or apps through a mobile device – backlinko.
What does it tell you?
You must adapt your ecommerce strategy accordingly and make sure that all content looks great on small screens too.
Here are some tips to optimize your social media accounts:
- Invest in creating high-quality visuals that look great on small screens.
- Make sure your website is mobile responsive, and the checkout process is easy to complete.
- Utilize mobile advertising tools like Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, etc.
- Use shorter hashtags and URLs to make them easier to tap or type on mobile keyboards.
- Use a clear call-to-action in your posts so that users can take action right away.
Important: Having a responsive and easy-to-navigate ecommerce website is super important – don’t sleep on it!
6. Employ Chatbots
Chatbots are like your brand’s trusty sidekick in the world of social media ecommerce!
Did you know that around 50% of people are totally on board with making a purchase through a website’s chatbot using conversational marketing? That’s right! These friendly virtual assistants can offer personalized and real-time assistance to your customers, making their shopping experience a breeze.
Need product recommendations? Chatbot’s got you covered!
Have a question about shipping? Chatbot’s got the answer!
By having chatbots as part of your social media ecommerce strategy, you can provide instant support, boost engagement, and, most importantly, drive those all-important sales.
So, why not harness the power of chatbots and make your customers’ journey even more enjoyable?
7. Leverage UGC (User-Generated Content)
UGC refers to content created by your customers, such as reviews, testimonials, photos, and videos featuring your products.
It’s one of the most powerful tools for driving engagement and boosting sales.
Why?
- It’s like having an army of brand advocates who are eager to spread the word about your offerings.
- UGC showcases real-life experiences and authentic customer interactions with your brand.
- It builds trust and credibility among your target audience as it comes from real customers.
Plus, it’s not just about showing off your products – it’s about making customers feel part of a community. It shows that you value their input and recognize their contribution to the brand.
So, why not include UGC in your social media ecommerce strategy?
Encourage your followers to post pictures with their purchases, use relevant hashtags, and provide incentives for doing so.
8. Publish Short-Form Content
Today, short-form content reigns supreme! With dwindling attention spans, social media users prefer watching short, 30sec-1min videos instead of reading text.
This is exactly what brands need to capitalize on and capture their audience’s interest quickly and effectively.
But what kind of short-form content can you create to engage your social media followers? Here are some ideas for short-form content:
- Tips & Tricks: Share bite-sized advice and hacks relevant to your industry.
- How-Tos: Break down complex processes into step-by-step guides.
- Behind the Scenes: Offer glimpses into your brand’s inner workings.
- Quick Product Demos: Showcase your products’ features and benefits in short videos.
- Inspiring Stories: Share stories that evoke emotions and inspire action.
Remember to keep your content visually appealing, concise, and shareable.
Try different formats like Reels, Stories, or TikTok-style videos to maximize engagement and captivate your audience instantly!
9. Collaborate with Influencers
Did you know that a whopping 72% of Gen Z and Millennials are avid followers of influencers on social media? That’s right!
Influencer marketing has taken the digital world by storm, and it’s an incredible opportunity for ecommerce brands like yours to connect with your target audience in a meaningful way.
Here’s how you can incorporate influencer marketing into your ecommerce marketing plan:
- Find Relevant Influencers: Look for influencers who align with your brand values and target audience.
- Set Clear Objectives: Define your goals for the influencer campaign to guide your strategy.
- Prioritize Authenticity: Encourage influencers to create genuine content that resonates with their audience.
- Foster Creative Collaboration: Involve influencers in the creative process to showcase your products in their unique style.
- Track Performance: Measure the success of your campaigns using tracking tools and unique discount codes.
- Consider Long-term Partnerships: Build strong relationships with influencers for ongoing brand integration and audience connection.
By collaborating with influencers, you can amplify your brand’s reach, enhance credibility, and drive meaningful results in the competitive ecommerce landscape.
10 . Track Progress & Evolve
Tracking and analyzing the results of your social media ecommerce strategies is vital for ongoing success.
Analytics tools can give you valuable insights into audience demographics, reach, and engagement.
Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter provide built-in analytics dashboards to assess post performance. Use them to understand audience behavior and analyze what’s working for you.
Similarly, monitoring ad performance is especially important if you’re selling directly on social media. Tracking metrics such as click-through rates, conversion rates, and sales will help you assess the effectiveness of your ads and make data-driven decisions.
Besides analyzing your social media posts, keep a close on your website analytics (Google Analytics) to measure the impact of your social media campaigns. See which platform gets you the most traffic and which one’s not doing the job.
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But remember, tracking progress isn’t just about numbers; it’s about understanding your audience and their preferences.
Use the data to identify patterns, trends, and customer behaviors that can shape your future strategies. Adapt and evolve your approach based on these insights to ensure continued success in the dynamic world of social media.
Supercharge Your Ecommerce Journey with Social Media
So, this is it — use this 10-step strategy to build an effective ecommerce marketing plan on social media and drive real results for your brand.
If you find tracking progress and analyzing data challenging, consider completing Digital Marketer’s Social Media Certificate.
This short but in-depth program can help you master the art of creating an effective social media strategy for ecommerce to drive engagement and revenue for your business.
Sounds like too much work? Mongoose Media is an award-winning, modern digital marketing agency. They can develop & execute effective strategies to maximize your brand’s online presence and drive sales.
Don’t hesitate to reach out and take your ecommerce business to new heights!
