The need for social commerce

Market researchers say that word-of-mouth recommendations are crucial and people prefer to buy products recommended by their friends, and by complete strangers. A business manager may wonder why people would wish to buy on facebook. The answer lies in the fact that for most us, our working day is full of schedules and appointments. We constantly rush to get things done. Facebook lets users connect with their friends and share opinions and emotions.

Shopping on facebook offers a convenience unlike any other. Imagine being able to order your groceries online, order flowers for a friend’s birthday or choose a Zumba class and buy the required gear. Social commerce is the way people like to shop. They also enjoy benefiting from discounts offered by their favorite brands.

People like to buy from brands that they like. Being on the social network makes it easy for your target audiences to find your brand. It is also important for search engine optimization. So, whether a business is large or small, it needs to create a social media presence. Facebook can be used to promote social commerce and offline sales too. 35 million facebook users say that they have recommended a product or brand that they ‘like’.

Top retailers on the social network are the brands that engage their target audiences. Your facebook page should be informative, fun and interactive. It needs to be monitored regularly and status needs to be updated regularly. It is vital that a business takes the time to engage and interact with fans and visitors to its page and shop. Take note of comments and feedback and use them to refine customer service. Customers appreciate businesses that listen to them and respond accordingly. In fact, even unsatisfied customers are willing to give a business another chance when it tries make amends or deals with a complaint effectively.

It is easy to create a facebook store. In fact, you can create one in a matter of minutes. What is important is that you take some time to decide how you wish the store to look. Do remember that your store should reflect your brand image. An application such as Storefront Social can help you customize your facebook shop.  The application allows your customers to shop with multiple currencies. You can also choose to offer content in multiple languages.

Sales on facebook tell a business a lot about not only its products range but also about its customers. This medium of interaction can be used for research and also to gain a better understanding of customer demographics and interests.

It is a good idea for every business to have a facebook shop that will showcase its products. Most internet users spend a majority of their online time on facebook. They use the social network to express themselves, share their opinions and connect with their friends. They also like to check on their favorite brands and are always on the lookout for good deals and discounts.

In order to improve marketing on facebook it is important that your facebook store does justice to your business. It should customize your facebook space and give customers the feel of being in your company store. This can be achieved by using the company logo and banner. People enjoy shopping without having to leave the social network.

You can use an app such as Storefront Social to create a facebook storefront that highlights your products. The Livescribe facebook shop allows customers to search through the products according to categories. They can buy products and can also choose to share their shopping or their wish list with their friends. The brand has a phenomenal fan following that frequently posts on its wall.

Navigation is important

The navigation of a store is crucial to its sales and revenue. If the navigation is unclear, it is bound to frustrate the visitors, who will inevitably leave the store. It is best to avoid having a page that the visitors will have to keep scrolling down and may miss products that they would be interested in.

Instead create categories that simplify shopping on facebook.  This would ensure that customers are able to find the things they seek easily and quickly. Having categories also ensures that customers learn about the things that your business sells and not just the products that interest them. For instance Peek, a clothing store in San Francisco, allows customers to peruse the categories it offers. Do take the time to check links and landing pages.

Presentation is king

Any salesperson worth his or her salt knows that selling is all about visual presentation. If the facebook store looks cluttered, visitors are likely to leave quickly. You may wish to go with a simple white background that highlights the colors and shapes of the products that have been displayed. Opt for a font that is easy to read and catches the shopper’s attention.

Experts recommend that you use no more than three or four predominant colors on your facebook storefront. If you have an offline store, you may like your facebook shop to look similar. You could also post pictures of your brick and mortar store. This may make people who accustomed to shopping offline feel more comfortable with social commerce. For a lot of people social commerce offers all the advantages that both online and offline shopping does.

Shopping is a social experience and social commerce puts the fun element in online shopping. Imagine being able to shop for a group gift for a common friend. This is something that friends and colleagues do in real life and can be encouraged to do so online. The navigation and presentation of a facebook storefront should clearly state the options that the business offers. This encourages more sales and revenue and also ensures that satisfied customers talk about your brand with their friends.

Contrary to popular belief facebook users don’t click the “Like” button as often as businesses would hope that they do. Research indicates that about 43% users are fans of at least one brand. The fact is they are rather choosy about the facebook pages they “Like”. It is important for businesses to create interesting and dynamic fan pages that would improve traffic and sales. Here are 5 reasons why people like a facebook page.

Brands they can associate with

People enjoy interacting with brands that value their customers. This essentially means that these are businesses that pay attention to the comments of their fans and customers and take the time to respond to feedback. Facebook users like it when businesses display their brand affiliation with friends. Social badging is an important reason for which people choose to be fans. They like their friends to know about the brands they like.

Discounts and offers that are relevant

Everyone loves a good deal. And this is the primary reason why many people choose to “Like” a brand. They like to receive information regarding the exclusive discounts that the brand offers its fans. Most customers have a small monthly budget and would like to make the most of their money. So, if they can find a way of saving on the cost of their Starbucks cup of coffee or groceries, they are most likely to “like” the fan page.

Shopping onfacebook is convenient and fun. It is a good idea for a business to create a facebook shop that showcases its product line. An app like Storefront Social can help you set up a store in a matter of minutes. Customers can shop at your facebook storefront without leaving the social network.

Let’s give them something to talk about

Most facebook users use the social network to interact with friends and also to check on the best deals that businesses have to offer. Social commerce receives impetus from the fact that customers like to share deals and offers that they like with their friends. They also enjoy discussing brands and businesses. Many facebook users opt to like a business that is unusual and fun. This is why businesses such as Mabel’s Labels and a mobile kitchen are popular with facebook users.

Staying informed

Research indicates that 34% consumers like to stay up-to-date on the activities of the companies or businesses that they like. This makes it important for companies to post details about their business. Relevant news stories and blogs should be posted on the business’ facebook page. Fans like to read about the upcoming products and deals that businesses intend to offer. On the flipside it is crucial that you don’t bombard them with marketing messages. It is vital that your marketing on facebook be relevant and of interest to the target audience.

Support a cause

People like brands that support a cause. Whether the cause is national or local is irrelevant, it is the commitment and support of the business that counts. Therefore, whether your business is big or small, it needs to identify and support a cause that it is committed to.

The concept of social media lies in the fact that people want to connect with their friends. As they are often unable to do so in real life, social networks like facebook allow them to meet and interact in virtual space. People also love to check on their favorite brands and want to find out what their friends recommend. Brick and mortar stores can benefit tremendously by having and managing a facebook store. Examples of the same include Walmart and Target.

These are times when marketing and advertising budgets are tight. Marketing on social media is relatively inexpensive and has the potential of creating a dramatic impact. Whether you are a standalone mom and pop store at the corner, a specialty store or a chain of brick and mortar stores, it is important that your customers find you on facebook. After all, this is where your target audiences spend most of their online time.

How to use facebook

It is vital that you decide on what it is that you wish to achieve with your social media campaign. Your customers should identify with your brand and this is possible only when they interact with it frequently. You can improve footfall, sales and revenue, by ensuring that yours is a brand that customers talk about and recommend to their friends.

It is imperative that you understand that social media is active and dynamic. Likewise your facebook fan page needs to reflect the same. Take the time to reach out to your audiences and encourage them to post on your “Wall”. Keep them interested in your store by offering them information on what it offers and the latest promotional events. Offer your fans exclusive discount codes. Do make certain that the offer is for a limited period, this increases the urgency of shopping. A daily discount on a certain item is a great way to improve your business.

Your presence on facebook should be publicized at your store, website and in business communications. Use the social network to improve customer service. Take the time to post personalized comments when a customer writes on your “Wall”. Negative feedback can be used to tweak your customer service and to ensure that the customer returns to your store to give it another chance. To other fans and visitors this action signifies that your business cares about its customers. People prefer to buy from a brand that they like over those that they don’t.

Marketing and more

Targeted marketing on facebook is possible as you have access to information regarding your audiences. You can place ads depending on the pin code or location of facebook users. People like advertisements that are relevant to them and the area they live or work in.

Offer your customers something extra. This could include a section that is relevant to the product line that you sell. For instance if yours is a grocery store, then have a section that offers tips on meal planning and shopping for groceries. Make your content fun, interesting and relevant.

Consider this, an increasing number of people are shopping on facebook. Social commerce is here to stay. It may be wise to consider creating a facebook store that showcases the products that you have to offer. Storefront Social is an app that you can use to create your facebook shop. It lets you offer content in several languages and allows transactions in multiple currencies.

Facebook is a social media site that is used by millions of people from across the world. This makes it a business manager’s dream come true. Restaurants in particular can benefit tremendously by such efforts.

The many advantages of restaurants on facebook

The social network not only allows a restaurant to present information that would be of interest to its customers but also allows the business to act on feedback received from patrons. Criticism can also be used to create a positive experience and encourage the patron to return. To others who read such posts, it is an indicator of how well the establishment treats its customers.

It is a good idea for restaurants to use facebook to take reservations. Imagine a group of friends making plans for the evening and being able to go your fan page and make a reservation. Use an app such as Open Table. You could also add the menu and let people think about what they will order when they visit the restaurant. Do ensure that once in a while you offer your fans exclusive offers such as a discount code, or a password like The Mermaid Inn in New York does.

Improve sales and revenue by offering online ordering. Pizza Hut was amongst the first to offer such an application. Now it offers mobile apps too. Jimmy John’s also allows fans to order online. The interaction of the brand with fans is excellent and fans contribute to wall posts frequently.

Make it a fun experience

To encourage action on your facebook page it is a great idea to offer fans something special. How about a behind-the-scenes look at your kitchens? You could create short videos on how to shop for the fresh ingredients such as vegetables and fish. Quick and easy-to-make recipes may be demonstrated and are likely to attract visitors on days when they cannot dine out.

It is vital that your patrons keep you in mind when they wish to recommend a restaurant to their friends. The restaurant manager can use an app to keep track of patrons’ birthdays, and perhaps send them a special offer that is tailor-made to suit their needs.

Keep them informed

Make sure you share the latest blogs and press coverage with your fans. People are encouraged by the experiences that others have at your restaurant. It is crucial that you keep your fans updated on pertinent information such as deals, and changes to the menu. If you are planning a special event then do ensure that your facebook fans are amongst the first to be informed.

Search for patrons according to their zip code. Place ads strategically and tempt them to visit you on any given day. Finally, make sure that your patrons know that you are on facebook. You can include the details on your website and business cards.

Take the time to appreciate your team. Don’t hesitate to post encouraging messages for them on your facebook page. Let your customers know that you appreciate the team effort and the fact that they go the extra mile to make a culinary experience enjoyable. Let your customers order while they are on facebook instead of having to visit your business website to do so. Use an app such as Storefront Social to create a facebook store that will showcase your establishment and bring in more business.

Facebook has a membership of 845 million users. It is a great place to interact with friends and to stay connected with them. People log into to their facebook account to share their experiences and emotions and to find out what their friends are doing. They also like to interact with their favorite brands. It is no wonder that when a brand such as Nescafe creates a “Spot the Difference” game, it receives a great response.  Some brands offer freebies and samples to gain the interest and attention of their fans. Still others allow them to have fun creating a new flavour or product.

Facebook can help improve brand visibility. As brand recognition improves customers are likely to buy its products. Customers discuss several brands every day. To ensure that your business is one of them it is crucial that customers are able to interact with it regularly. Businesses can place facebook ads strategically and improve sales by presenting promotional offers exclusively for facebook users.

The social network can divert traffic to a business site and increase sales. It is also possible to sell products on the social network. Shopping is a social experience. Not only do people like to shop with their friends but also enjoy sharing their experiences. Word-of-mouth is considered to be one of the most reliable sources of information. By ensuring that a business has an active presence on facebook it can improve sales and revenue. It is also possible to sell on facebook.

Shopping on facebook

To sell on facebook a business needs to first create a business or fan page that is informative and fun. An application such as Storefront Social will help you create a facebook shop. You can showcase your products and allow visitors and fans to shop without leaving the network. The app allows customers to shop with multiple currencies and offers several languages.

A facebook store can use applications that allow friends to shop together. Group gifts allow them to share the cost of a purchase.  This is particularly useful when friends wish to shop for a gift for a mutual friend. Shopping on facebook is fun and people like to share this experience. This encourages others to give social commerce a chance.

There are many reasons why people like to buy on the social network. They can order their favorite products while they chat with their friends. This saves them the time and hassle of going to the supermarket and standing in a queue to buy the things they need. Customers can buy everyday essentials on facebook storefronts such as Soap. Grocery stores and supermarkets such as Safeway also use the social network to interact with their customers. Coupons and promotional offers are publicized on the facebook fan page. Fans can also participate in contests and win fun prizes.

Social commerce offers customers convenience and makes shopping fun. Customers can read reviews and recommendations, such as offered by Safeway, so that they buy products that offer them value for their money. For businesses, selling on facebook is as much about increasing sales as it is about understanding their target audiences.

In 2011 social commerce was valued at $ 5 billion. It is expected to increase exponentially to $ 30 billion in 2015. Social commerce is here to stay and this why:

• 71% of consumers say that the opinion and recommendations of friends influences their decisions to choose one brand over another.
• Word-of-mouth recommendations are most often positive.
• 90% of online consumers trust the referrals made by friends and 70% trust opinions of strangers too.
• 86% of online consumers in the US have a facebook account.

The number of social media users across the world is constantly increasing. For years people have used the internet to find information on topics and products. Now, more than ever they use the internet to research everything from the cereal they eat to the house they wish to buy. Social media offers businesses the unique opportunity to interact with their target audiences. Everyday millions of users log into their facebook account to interact with their friends and to check out the best deals their favorite brands offer.

How can social media and commerce help

People like to do buy the brands that they like. Social media gives them the chance to interact with these brands. Social commerce does more than just offer your business a chance to showcase your products and allow customers to buy online. It increases your visibility on the internet. When a fan shops at your facebook store they are likely to recommend it to their friends. Some applications allow shoppers to share their shopping and wish list with their friends. Others allow friends to shop together in real time.

Social commerce allows you to focus your marketing efforts on a specific target audience. You can create exclusive offers and deals for your facebook shop or your offline store. Everyone loves a great bargain and they enjoy knowing that they have access to an exclusive offer. Shopping on facebook is about sales and also about increasing brand visibility.

It is important that you create a facebook storefront that is customized to meet the requirements of your business. An application such as Storefront Social can help you create a facebook shop that is perfect for your brand. You can select from several templates and offer content in several languages. You can also accept transactions in multiple currencies. In this way you open your business to global customers.

Social commerce can improve your online sales and it can also promote offline sales too. This is great for businesses that sell online and offline. For instance, you can order your favorite Papa John’s pizza while you are chatting with friends online.

Social media can be used to maintain your loyal customers and to win over more customers with super deals. It is an important medium of communication and can be used to improve customer service. Consumers need to know that they are appreciated and that their opinion matters. Social media gives your business a chance to achieve this. Keep your target audiences informed about the latest events and information regarding your business. The average internet user talks of several brands every day. To improve sales make sure that your brand is included in this list.

Social media is a powerful tool in the hands of small businesses. Used correctly it allows a business to interact with its target audience and create enough interest to have them returning to the business page over and again. If you thought that social media is for the bigwigs such as Wal-Mart and Coca Cola, you will be pleasantly surprised. There are numerous small businesses that use social media to improve brand recognition and revenue.

Keep interaction personal and interesting

Ana White is a carpenter and a homemaker. She offers her clientele easy to follow blueprints for DIY projects. She connects well with her growing list of customers by using social media. Her website is warm and informative and this is also the tone that she sets on her social media interaction. Her ’Brag Blog’ and video demonstrations deserves special mention. Her facebook page, Knock-off Wood, has a 50,000 + fan following.  Interestingly, a lot of the content on the site and facebook page comes from her fans.

Using social media well

A J Bombers is a hamburger restaurant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that has quickly gained fame by using social media well. Despite an inauguration during recession the business has made a success of itself. The restaurant has a website that offers its menu and also lets customers order online. It is on Facebook and Twitter. The brand uses excellent pictures on its wall and fans cannot be tempted but to comment and order.

The pictures matter

Easy lunch Boxes, is a business that rose from a mother’s need to send her kids to school with a nutritious and balanced meal. The website is vibrant and educative and Kelly Lester, the CEO and mom, uses social media to keep her target audience aware of the many advantages of using her products. The small business’ facebook page has a wonderful photo section that makes planning and packing a lunch box so much fun. The business is also on Twitter and keeps followers interested in the brand with interesting offers and useful information.

Scott Jarvie is a well renowned wedding and nature photographer, and even has a technique, the ‘Jarvie Window’ named after him. His website has some exceptional pictures that he has taken and he uses social media to ensure that his fans and followers can interact with him. He uses his facebook blog to keep visitors and fans tuned into the best deals and options before them.

Enhance Me creates wonderful products and gifts by placing the photographs of children and adults amidst magical and fun settings.  The brand uses social media to keeps its fans and visitors informed of the best offers and deals. Its facebook shop will soon showcase some of the brand’s products. A quick perusal of the photo albums give visitors a good idea of what to expect.

It is important for every small business to understand how social commerce can improve its sales. Use an application such as storefront social to create a facebook store that will allow customers from across the country and globe to shop at your store. You can offer content in multiple languages and accept transaction in several currencies.