Take the Guesswork Out of Social Networking
Social media has become a must for any online retailer looking to grow their business. Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, blogs, or all of the above, baby clothing retailers are discovering the sharp advantage of using social networking sites to boost sales, offer promotions, and reach as many clients as possible in a short time period. While most online retailers who have chosen to take their businesses down the social networking route have successfully set up their own Facebook pages and Twitter accounts, the emergence of new social media packages may have them calling on e-commerce software companies, who have begun to offer tools promising to optimize the results of a social media campaign.
In addition to traditional web design services, many e-commerce providers have launched social media packages that merge online stores and merchandise with social networking sites. The packages help the online retailer get the most out of social media by setting up anything from an online store tab on a Facebook page to a mobile-optimized store that can be accessed from an iPhone or Smart phone.
Many online merchants find that investing in social media pages, which range in price from hundreds to thousands of dollars, can really pay off. Facebook stores increase website traffic with a link that leads directly to the merchant’s site. Investing in a social media package may also reduce the load of busy work that comes with keeping up with social networking on a daily basis. E-commerce providers who manage the social media packages, play the role of online social media manager so that the business owner doesn’t have to deal with the burden of making sure everything is running smoothly every day. So while you worry about everything else related to running your business smoothly, rest assured that the social networking aspect is taken care of.
Small business owners and online retailers have also been tempted to partner with e-commerce companies who offer a social commerce option. This is built into their site and lets the user update all their social networking sites in one place. Getting all of your social networking done in one place saves time, and time is money in the business world.
Another great incentive of having a Facebook store page is that it can help drive sales by directing a customer who clicks on a product displayed on the Facebook page directly to the merchant’s website, where they can easily purchase the item. In an effort to gather a more widespread fan base and reach a larger pool of potential clients, many store pages offer promotions, contests, or coupons that entice web users to visit their sites.
Blogging is yet another effective social networking tool, especially for infant clothing retailers. Blogs offer many benefits and incentives to both shoppers looking to score a deal and merchants trying to drive sales. Blogs specifically targeted to new parents like Parentdish.com, Coolmompics.com, and Upscalebaby.com work with retailers to offer tempting deals like money-saving coupons, contests for free merchandise or shipping, and other promotions that help drive traffic to the retailer’s site. Some online businesses that have added Facebook stores offer sales where fans can log onto the Facebook store and get a super-deal that lasts only an hour or a short period of time. These mini-sales boost business by driving extra traffic to the site, which leads to a larger pool of repeat customers.
Blogs and user-review sites like Yelp.com or Angieslist.com also serve as social commerce hubs, where users can share their experiences and opinions about companies and their products with one another. Social commerce sites are valuable tools for retailers looking for real-life customer feedback on their products or services. Yes, sometimes customer reviews can be brutally honest, but savvy business owners will take the criticism with an open mind, and make improvements where needed.
In today’s tough economy where many businesses find themselves struggling to stay afloat, it is necessary for small online-based businesses to utilize every form of marketing available. Facebook boasts 500 million users and growing, making it the best place to start for those just starting to get their feet wet in the world of social media.
A recent poll by the Small Business Success Index found that social media adoption by small businesses has more than doubled during the last year. Of the 500 business owners surveyed, 75 percent said they have a promotional page on a social networking site, and 61 percent said they use social media for the purpose of identifying and attracting new customers.
The emergence of social media during the past five to ten years has changed the way online retailers operate — from advertising, to attracting customers, to creating a simple, user-friendly way to shop; it’s all done through the use of social media. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube and every other site that lets businesses tap into a pool of millions of potential customers at the click of a button presents endless opportunities to online retailers to grow their business. Social media essentially opens up the floodgates so that customers from anywhere can buy your product at any time.
To get the most out of social networking, several hours of time must be dedicated each week to updating statuses, new offers and promotions, and keeping up with clients’ requests and comments. With the launch of social media packages, e-commerce providers are facing the social networking trend head-on, and offer a valuable tool for online merchants who want to make sure their social networking is done right and will generate results. Purchasing a package takes the guesswork out of social networking and helps business owners rest easy that they’re getting the most out of this new trend that has taken over the online world and the way we do business.