Consumer shopping habits changed dramatically in 2014. Online and mobile shopping have grown commonplace, and the incorporation of social media into the process has made it more enjoyable. In response, these mediums have introduced novel e-commerce features, such as the “buy” button.
These new shopping habits present enormous opportunity for small “etailers” to quickly expand their bottom lines.

Invesp predicts that by the end of 2023, social commerce would account for 5 percent of online retail revenue, amounting to an estimated $14 billion. With those kinds of statistics, it’s no surprise that major stores are pouring money into social media advertising in order to provide their millions of potential customers with a more convenient, adaptable, and individualized shopping experience.

Even while these megacorporations have deep pockets to devote to social media marketing and advertising, small and medium-sized firms can still benefit from the new social trends and use them to their advantage.

Five tactics to increase sales

Make it about them

Customers can expect more from brands that interact with them honestly and openly on social media, and this is often rewarded with repeat business. Facebook and Twitter are great places to promote sales, but they can also be used to spread stories and images that people will like viewing and talking about even if they have nothing to do with your products. You might also get customer feedback by having them discuss their experiences in the sector. Doing so will make your customers feel more invested in your company and its products.

Make servicing your customers your first priority

A company’s social media accounts are often the initial point of contact for customers, and you don’t want dissatisfied clients to spread word of their bad experience to others. Maintaining a speedy response rate to client inquiries and giving prompt resolutions can help you keep your brand’s reputation intact. If you do not have the manpower to offer this kind of support, social media monitoring tools are a worthwhile investment. It’s also a good idea to re-post positive client feedback on the company’s social media pages when it’s received.

Hashtag is a powerful marketing tool that shouldn’t be ignored

The manner that people shop online is constantly being changed by retailers. Using #AmazonCart, for instance, Twitter users can add things from tweets with a link directly to their Amazon shopping cart so that they can purchase the item at a later time.

You don’t need cutting-edge equipment to get things done. Use a similar method by pre-scheduling tweets on product discounts, holiday promotions, or business backstory using a free social media sharing service like Hootsuite. As an example, if you own a pet store, you might use the hashtags #petfood and #petlover in each of your tweets to attract customers looking for pet supplies.

Keep in mind that social media and mobile devices go hand in hand

Given that 86% of Americans surveyed by Salesforce say mobile devices are essential to their daily life, businesses of all sizes would be foolish to discount the importance of mobile use and mobile purchasing. The Facebook mobile app is a great way to contact a large number of potential customers while they’re on the road, as it has more than 1 billion monthly active users. Similar to tweeting, you may plan ahead to share Facebook posts that highlight sales and discounts on products, complete with eye-catching images, discount codes, and links to make a purchase.

Integrate your internet store into your social media pages

Adding a shopping cart to your Facebook page allows customers to shop without leaving the platform, expanding your online reach. A shop plugin for WordPress makes it easy to sell your wares on your blog or any other website. These solutions are usually responsive on mobile devices and can adjust to any screen size, so you can provide your customers a pleasant buying experience regardless of what they’re using.

2023 sales can be significantly impacted by implementing these five techniques. While you may not have the resources of a larger company, these steps will give customers the streamlined shopping experience they need and give you access to a wider audience, some of whom may end up being your most devoted customers.