Instagram is a popular platform for B2C social commerce while Facebook is a popular choice for small B2B sales. If you have a business and want to ensure that you are leveraging all available online channels to generate revenue, then you should look more closely at social media commerce.

Globally, social media commerce generated around USD 728 billion in revenue in the year 2022 (Statista). Social media marketing and commerce conducted via social platforms is an important channel that businesses in Trinidad & Tobago should not ignore.

What is social media commerce?

Social media commerce, (aka social commerce), is the process of using social media platforms to sell products or services directly to customers. It involves integrating e-commerce features into social media platforms, allowing businesses to showcase and sell their products within the social media environment.

Social media commerce can take many forms, including social media ads that lead to product pages, shoppable posts, and social media marketplaces where users can buy and sell products within the platform. By leveraging the large audiences and engagement levels of social media platforms, businesses can expand their reach to potential customers and increase sales.

How is social media marketing different from social media commerce?

 Social media commerce and social media marketing are two distinct but related concepts.

Social media commerce, as explained earlier, involves using social media platforms to sell products or services directly to customers. It is a subset of e-commerce and involves using social media as a sales channel.

On the other hand, social media marketing involves using social media platforms to promote and market a brand or product. It encompasses a variety of activities, such as creating content, engaging with followers, running social media ads, and analyzing social media data to improve marketing strategies. The primary goal of social media marketing is to increase brand awareness, engagement, and loyalty, which can ultimately lead to more sales.

In summary, social media commerce focuses on using social media as a sales channel, while social media marketing is a broader strategy that uses social media to promote a brand or product and build relationships with customers. Both social media commerce and social media marketing are important for businesses looking to leverage the power of social media to reach and engage with their target audience.

How to get started with social media commerce?

 Follow the steps below to start setting up your social commerce:

1. Identify your target audience:

Before getting started with social media commerce, it’s important to know who your target audience is. Understanding your audience’s demographics, interests, and behaviors will help you create content and products that will appeal to them.

2. Choose the right social media platform:

Not all social media platforms are created equal when it comes to social media commerce. Consider which platforms your target audience is most active on and where they are most likely to make a purchase. For example, Instagram is popular for fashion and beauty products, while Pinterest is popular for home decor and DIY products.

3. Set up a business account:

To sell products on social media, you’ll need to set up a business account on the platform you’ve chosen. This may involve creating a new account or converting your existing personal account to a business account. Be sure to complete your profile and include a link to your website or online store.

4. Showcase your products:

Once you’ve set up your business account, it’s time to start showcasing your products. Create visually appealing product photos and videos that highlight the unique features and benefits of your products. You can post these as regular social media posts or create shoppable posts that allow customers to purchase directly from the platform.

5. Build a relationship with your audience:

Social media commerce is not just about selling products; it’s also about building relationships with your audience. Engage with your followers by responding to comments and messages, share user-generated content, and create engaging social media campaigns that encourage user participation.

6. Monitor and optimize your performance:

As with any marketing strategy, it’s important to monitor your social media commerce performance and optimize your strategy as needed. Use social media analytics tools to track your sales, engagement, and audience demographics, and use this data to adjust your content and product offerings.

A quick way to get started is to run social media ads that connect directly to product pages on your website. Social commerce should be a part of your overall social media management strategy.

Contact an agency that provides social media marketing services in Trinidad along with website maintenance. This will allow for greater efficiency as all the work can be managed by one team. Webfx is a full-service digital marketing and web development agency in Trinidad with over a decade of experience in social media marketing, app design and website development. Contact us to learn more.