Why social commerce is so powerful

When we think of eCommerce we automatically think of shopping platforms like Amazon or even smaller eCommerce stores, however, social media isn’t something we think about. Social media plays a huge part in eCommerce in more ways than one. eCommerce has been blending with some of the biggest social platforms for years and it could change the future of eCommerce.

What is social commerce?

Social commerce is when people take the best of eCommerce and combine it with social media. Social commerce is the process where a business sells products directly on social media. Social commerce takes the entire shopping experience on social – from discovery to checkout.

How does social commerce work?

Social commerce works in a very simple and easy way, the actual buying process really isn’t very different to a standard eCommerce shop. You’ll simply be on a social platform, such as your Instagram feed – see an item you really like and hit “Shop now” and you can then complete the purchase then and there, and then get back to scrolling once your purchase is complete.

What is the difference between social commerce and eCommerce?

eCommerce, the traditional online shopping experience which is where a purchase is made via a website or dedicated branded app. Social commerce allows customers to make a purchase within an actual social media app.

Why the blend of social commerce and eCommerce is powerful for smaller businesses

Embedding eCommerce within social media, such as Instagram and Facebook Shops, is powerful as it allows customers to discover brands and products through social content – meaning they’re more likely to find products they wouldn’t normally search for on a standard eCommerce platform.

Discovery through social is hugely important for smaller brands that do not have the money to spend on advertising and for those using social commerce platforms such as Facebook Shops it allows them to get a start on an eCommerce business without having to put money into building a platform.

Mixing this in with the social element makes it easier for brands to create great campaigns that can be interactive and sharable, which could help a product launch go viral. For example, you could offer group-buying discounts, interactive contests or even games to help with the discovery process.

Social commerce removes a lot of time, meaning you’re less likely to lose a buyer. Simply see it, click it, buy it. With fewer points in the customer journey, you have less opportunity for a customer to drop off.

There will always be a huge eCommerce market, social commerce cannot compete with a specific commerce website as a dedicated website can host a lot more than any social platform could, but, it’s really important to see how social commerce could work for your business.

At Adapt Talent we specialize in eCommerce Recruitment,  Magento Recruitment and AI Recruitment and, we have a range of vacancies.

If you’re looking to scale your business and move into the eCommerce space contact us today and we should be able to find someone to help you.

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