Retailers increasingly using social media for promotion, sales
Facebook, Twitter and various other social media platforms may have been created so that users can share information quickly and effectively. However, these sites are proving to be valuable tools for retailers who are looking for extra advertising and promotional resources. While these solutions are not exactly free, they are often cheaper than traditional marketing forms. Additionally, they allow businesses to reach out to a wider range of customers, and merchants are no longer limited to consumers in their respective areas. This can lead to increased online sales and revenue, as well as providing opportunities for further growth.
Social media promotion provides many advantages
Perhaps the reason that retailers are increasingly using these platforms is because they have realized that social media is not a trend. Independent Retailer reports that some small and midsize businesses spend an average of $845 per month on software products that allow them to better manage their social media strategies. According to a recent survey by Duct Tape Marketing and Vocus, these companies make up 36 percent of the ones included in their study. Other merchants decide to spend more on their efforts, with an average monthly cost of $1,000 for social solutions.
Of the businesses that employ these tools, 87 percent stated the systems have been somewhat helpful or have helped a great deal, the survey revealed. The use of social media management resources has helped companies with their marketing methods, as nearly three-quarters of respondents said they include these tools in promotional strategies.
"What I've been noticing more and more is there's finally this acceptance that social media not only isn't going away, it's an essential element of the marketing mix and the real challenge now is to figure out how to integrate it into the total online and offline marketing presence," said John Jantsch, creator of Duct tape Marketing, as reported by the source.
Facebook leading the way for social media
It seems as though Facebook is the main player when it comes to retailers using social media for marketing purposes, as well as driving sales. According to a study by RichRelevance, Facebook accounts for 85.8 percent of traffic that is driven to retail websites, reports Web Pro News. Customers who use Facebook for shopping stay on the site longer and are more likely to come back. Pinterest came in second place in terms of sales and traffic, followed by Twitter, the source writes.
