Social media platforms are no longer just a way to stay connected with friends and family – they’re also becoming key shopping destinations. This rapid growth is being driven by a number of factors, including the increasing number of people who are using social media, the growing amount of time people are spending on these platforms, and the increasing adoption of mobile devices.
1. Visual content will continue to be key
Visual content – such as images and videos – is one of the most effective ways to engage customers on social media. In fact, posts with visuals get 94% more views than those without, according to HubSpot. As social media commerce grows, businesses will need to make sure they are creating compelling visual content that is optimized for each platform. This means creating images and videos that are the right size and format for each platform, as well as using engaging visuals that capture the attention of customers.
2. The use of influencers will continue to grow
Influencer marketing – the use of people with a large following on social media to promote products or services – has become one of the most effective ways to reach customers on social media. In fact, 92% of consumers trust influencers more than traditional advertising, according to Business Insider. Businesses will need to increasingly leverage influencers to reach their target customers. This means working with influencers who have a large following on the platforms that are most relevant to their business, as well as creating influencer marketing campaigns that are aligned with their overall marketing strategy.
3. Social media platforms will continue to evolve
Social media platforms are constantly evolving, and this is likely to continue in 2023. This means that businesses need to stay up-to-date with the latest changes and ensure that their social media commerce strategy evolves along with the platforms. Some of the key changes to watch out for in 2023 include the continued growth of Instagram Shopping, the launch of Creator Marketplace, and the increasing use of chatbots.
4. Social media will become even more important for businesses
Social media will become an increasingly important part of the sales and marketing mix for businesses. In fact, by 2023, social media is expected to account for 22% of all e-commerce sales, up from 16% in 2018, according to eMarketer. Businesses need to make sure they have a strong social media presence, via both organic and paid efforts while using social media effectively to reach their target customers. This includes having a clear social media strategy, creating engaging content, and using relevant tools and technologies.
5. Mobile commerce will become more important
As social media commerce grows, businesses will need to ensure that their mobile commerce strategy is aligned with their overall marketing strategy. This means creating a mobile-friendly website, making sure products are visible and easy to purchase on mobile devices, and using targeted mobile advertising to reach potential customers.
6. Social media platforms will become more important for customer service
Social media platforms are increasingly being used for customer service, and this is likely to continue in 2023. In fact, 59% of consumers have used social media to contact a brand or company in the past year, according to Sprout Social.
As social media commerce grows, businesses will need to make sure that their customer service strategy is aligned with their overall marketing strategy. This means providing excellent customer service on social media, responding to customers in a timely manner, and using social media to resolve issues and complaints.
7. Personalization will become more important than ever
As social media commerce grows, businesses will need to increasingly personalize their marketing efforts to reach their target customers. This means using data to understand customer needs and preferences, and then using that information to create personalized content, messages, and offers.