The COVID pandemic has undoubtedly brought an enormous shift in consumer behaviour. With many businesses, both large and small, seeking recognition on platforms such as Instagram or Facebook.

In 2018 an estimated 1.8 billion people worldwide purchased goods online. Compare that to 2021’s 2.14 billion people worldwide and you can clearly see the effect lockdown has had on our online sales industry.

Another phenomenal change in consumer behaviour is the need for new. 75% of consumers’ search queries each month are brand new. This means consumers are actually seeking things that may not be available or at least recognised as a new trend!

My personal belief for this change in behaviour is the lack of window shopping we now get. If you think about it, when we walk down the high street, we are subjected to things we have not seen before. The windows are all full of things we never knew we needed or wanted.

Take that away, and we can only search for that experience. Maybe that’s why sites like Instagram or Pinterest, which provide a window to a new world, do so well with displaying all your lovely goods!

It’s a handy hint to keep your business one step ahead of the game!

So…

Why Is Social Media Important to My Business?

As well as all the new changes of social and consumer behaviour noted above, social media platforms also provide –

  • Traffic to your website – Although we have seen a rise in numbers using Instagram, Facebook still sends more traffic than all other social networks. It is important to remember that Facebook owns Instagram, so if you’re using one, you are best using both!
  • Promotion – That’s what it is all about, right? Social media provides a brilliant opportunity to promote your brand and your goods. BUT don’t forget also to promote yourself. Please invest in yourself, not just your products.
  • Brand awareness growth – Remember, your brand is more than your product, use social media to share stories, not just about you but also the people who use your product or service.
  • Generate conversation – Social media helps you connect to your target audience directly and provides feedback in real-time, giving you the ability to provide a better customer experience.

What’s most important about social media platforms is that they are FREE! All you need is patience and persistence, as well as a little creativity!

It has become the staple diet of all micro-businesses emerging from lockdown and a cost-effective way to build your online presence.

If you need help with your business pages on social media, why not get in touch today!