This article, written by Scurri’s eCommerce specialist Elene Jackson, incorporates insights and data on social media platforms from a range of reputable sources. To streamline your delivery management, get in touch with Scurri today!
With data showing that 5.22 billion people, or 63.8% of the global population, is using social media, these platforms have become indispensable for eCommerce businesses. Social media users spend 15% of their waking hours on these platforms, averaging 2 hours and 26 minutes daily across an average of 6 apps. Moreover, 14% of all online purchases happen directly through social media, highlighting its growing influence on consumer behaviour.
For eCommerce brands, leveraging the right social media platforms is key to driving growth, building customer relationships, and staying competitive in the ever-evolving digital marketplace.
For eCommerce brands, leveraging the right social media platforms is key to driving growth, building customer relationships, and staying competitive in the ever-evolving digital marketplace.
Benefits of Social Media Platforms for eCommerce Businesses
Expand Your Reach and Generate Brand Awareness
Social media platforms allow businesses to reach millions of potential customers, breaking geographical barriers. With the right strategy, you can generate awareness and attract audiences in your niche.
Engage Your Target Audience
Interactive features like polls, stories, live videos, and chat tools foster meaningful engagement, allowing your business to connect with your audience on a personal level.
Gather Valuable Audience Data
Analytics tools on platforms like Facebook and Instagram provide insights into customer demographics, preferences, and behaviour, helping refine your social media strategy.
Leverage Social Proof
Social proof drives buying decisions, with 9 in 10 online shoppers consulting reviews or recommendations before purchasing a product.
Receive Real-Time Feedback
Social media enables instant communication, allowing you to address customer concerns and improve your offerings quickly.
Social media platforms allow businesses to reach millions of potential customers, breaking geographical barriers. With the right strategy, you can generate awareness and attract audiences in your niche.
Engage Your Target Audience
Interactive features like polls, stories, live videos, and chat tools foster meaningful engagement, allowing your business to connect with your audience on a personal level.
Gather Valuable Audience Data
Analytics tools on platforms like Facebook and Instagram provide insights into customer demographics, preferences, and behaviour, helping refine your social media strategy.
Leverage Social Proof
Social proof drives buying decisions, with 9 in 10 online shoppers consulting reviews or recommendations before purchasing a product.
Receive Real-Time Feedback
Social media enables instant communication, allowing you to address customer concerns and improve your offerings quickly.
Top Social Media Platforms for eCommerce
1. Facebook
User Base
3 billion active users.
Why It Works
As the most popular social media platform, Facebook offers unparalleled reach across demographics. Its advanced advertising tools, integrated analytics, and social commerce capabilities make it a top choice for eCommerce businesses. 89% of marketers rely on Facebook to drive retail sales.
Best Features
– Seamless integration with Instagram and Messenger.
– Marketplace for direct sales.
– Extensive advertising options tailored for eCommerce.
3 billion active users.
Why It Works
As the most popular social media platform, Facebook offers unparalleled reach across demographics. Its advanced advertising tools, integrated analytics, and social commerce capabilities make it a top choice for eCommerce businesses. 89% of marketers rely on Facebook to drive retail sales.
Best Features
– Seamless integration with Instagram and Messenger.
– Marketplace for direct sales.
– Extensive advertising options tailored for eCommerce.
2. YouTube
User Base
2.5 billion active users.
Why It Works
YouTube’s video-centric format makes it highly engaging, with long watch times and strong purchasing influence through ads and product reviews.
Best Features
– Product demonstration videos and tutorials.
– High search engine ranking which is owned by Google.
– Opportunities for influencer partnerships to showcase products.
2.5 billion active users.
Why It Works
YouTube’s video-centric format makes it highly engaging, with long watch times and strong purchasing influence through ads and product reviews.
Best Features
– Product demonstration videos and tutorials.
– High search engine ranking which is owned by Google.
– Opportunities for influencer partnerships to showcase products.
3. Instagram
User Base
2 billion active users.
Why It Works
Known for its visual appeal, Instagram is ideal for showcasing products through photos, reels, and stories. It’s also a hub for influencer marketing, a key trend in eCommerce.
Best Features
– Shoppable posts and in-app purchasing.
– Story highlights for product promotions.
– Reels for short, engaging video content.
2 billion active users.
Why It Works
Known for its visual appeal, Instagram is ideal for showcasing products through photos, reels, and stories. It’s also a hub for influencer marketing, a key trend in eCommerce.
Best Features
– Shoppable posts and in-app purchasing.
– Story highlights for product promotions.
– Reels for short, engaging video content.
4. TikTok
User Base
1.6 billion active users.
Why It Works
TikTok is synonymous with virality. Its short-form content drives high engagement, particularly among Gen Z and millennials. In fact, 43% of Gen Z audiences start their online product searches on TikTok.
Best Features
– Branded challenges and trends.
– Engaging ad formats like in-feed videos.
– The ability to build a strong community around your brand.
1.6 billion active users.
Why It Works
TikTok is synonymous with virality. Its short-form content drives high engagement, particularly among Gen Z and millennials. In fact, 43% of Gen Z audiences start their online product searches on TikTok.
Best Features
– Branded challenges and trends.
– Engaging ad formats like in-feed videos.
– The ability to build a strong community around your brand.
5. Messaging Apps Like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp
User Base
2 billion WhatsApp, 900 million Messenger.
Why They Work
Messaging apps offer direct and personal communication with customers, making them perfect for real-time updates and customer support.
Best Features
– Integration with eCommerce websites for order tracking and customer service.
– Secure communication via WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption.
– Seamless customer interactions on Messenger, leveraging tools like Scurri AI Concierge for handling WISMO queries and personalised messages.
2 billion WhatsApp, 900 million Messenger.
Why They Work
Messaging apps offer direct and personal communication with customers, making them perfect for real-time updates and customer support.
Best Features
– Integration with eCommerce websites for order tracking and customer service.
– Secure communication via WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption.
– Seamless customer interactions on Messenger, leveraging tools like Scurri AI Concierge for handling WISMO queries and personalised messages.
Building Relationships Beyond Marketing
Marketing to your audience on these platforms is essential, but it’s equally important to use them for personal communication. Tools like Scurri AI Concierge integrate with WhatsApp and Messenger to provide real-time customer updates, order tracking, and responses to FAQs.
This post-purchase communication strengthens customer trust, loyalty, and overall satisfaction. With AI chat smart assistants like Scurri’s, businesses can automate interactions, further enhancing the customer experience while maintaining a personal touch.
This post-purchase communication strengthens customer trust, loyalty, and overall satisfaction. With AI chat smart assistants like Scurri’s, businesses can automate interactions, further enhancing the customer experience while maintaining a personal touch.
Conclusion
Social media platforms are more than marketing tools, they are avenues for building genuine connections, providing excellent customer experiences, and driving sales. By incorporating these platforms into your social media strategy and leveraging tools like Scurri AI Concierge, your eCommerce business can thrive in a competitive marketplace.
Stay ahead of eCommerce trends and explore how these platforms, combined with AI-driven solutions, can transform your business. The future of eCommerce lies in social commerce, and the time to start is now.
Stay ahead of eCommerce trends and explore how these platforms, combined with AI-driven solutions, can transform your business. The future of eCommerce lies in social commerce, and the time to start is now.