When it comes to ecommerce, there’s no greater way to gain consumers’ attention and grow your business than by harnessing the power of social media. They say that content is king, but in this day and age, your content will only get so far if you don’t use a range of social media channels to spread the word and grow your reach.
If you’re an ecommerce business who doesn’t know your tweets from your hashtags, now’s the time to stand up and take note! To help you, I’ve taken a look at six great examples of ecommerce businesses who in my opinion are owning their social space to give you some inspiration. Not only are they using it successfully to spread the word about their business and their products, but they are engaging with customers and building a following at the same time – and you should definitely be doing the same!
Related reading: 13 Other Ways to Succeed With Your #SMM Efforts
1. Wayfair utilizing video content on Facebook
What they are doing on social media: Wayfair are using engaging video content to build followers and drive sales on Facebook.
Why this particular post works well: This video is only 42 seconds long, meaning that it doesn’t require the viewer to give up a lot of their time or attention in order to watch it. Its simplicity is what makes it – it really showcases how easy it is to turn one of Wayfair’s products into their very own creative masterpiece!
How you can do something similar: A simple product explainer video can help to promote it in a completely new light and really highlight some key product benefits, all in a short, snappy piece of content. By incorporating a DIY element to the video (as Wayfair have done), you are also adding value and giving something back to your audience, which we’re sure they’ll thank you for! Here are more ideas for visual micro-content concepts like Venn diagrams and periodic tables.
2. ASOS getting straight to the point with example looks on Instagram
What they are doing on social media: ASOS regularly post look ideas with very simple captions in order to drive sales on Instagram.
Why this particular post works well: The unfussy nature of this post is what makes it stand out. The caption is very minimal (it just includes an emoji and three product codes), which it is letting the image do all of the talking, making it very easy for interested customers to go online, find the products and make a purchase.
How you can do something similar: If you have a product to sell on social media, don’t beat around the push – get straight to the point! Although there’s a fine line between a hard, pushy sell and a simple, stand out post such as ASOS’, followers appreciate a clean approach with a clear and direct call to action.
3. Not on the high street sharing mentions from their followers on Twitter
What they are doing on social media: Not on the high street regularly share mentions they have received from customers on Twitter, and also utilize trending hashtags/hashtags of the day to maximize their reach.
Why this particular post works well: By sharing customer feedback like this, Not on the high street are helping to strengthen their brand image on social media and build trust amongst their followers, who will hopefully then be encouraged to make a purchase on their website in turn.
How you can do something similar: Make sure you are making the most of customer reviews and testimonials on social media. Shout them from the rooftops and spread the word in order to reinforce the positive sentiment that your brand has.
4. Amazon posting a range of product related pins on Pinterest
What they are doing on social media: Amazon are using Pinterest and simple, snappy captions to promote the wide range of products that they sell.
Why this particular post works well: Amazon are really harnessing the power of Pinterest by ensuring they have a wide range of boards that fit with their extensive product catalogue. However, they are also ensuring that the captions for each pin are simple, snappy and engaging, ensuring that they stand out and grab the attention of their subscribers.
How you can do something similar: If you want to start posting on Pinterest, start off by ensuring you have a range of boards which fit with your product catalogue and allow more potential for you to grow your reach. Don’t forget to put yourself in the mind of your customers when coming up with captions – short and to the point ones work best for driving engagement!
5. eBay sharing discount codes on Facebook
What they are doing on social media: eBay are sharing simple discount codes with their followers on Facebook to drive sales
Why this particular post works well: Everyone loves a bargain right? eBay knows that discount codes lead to sales, and so they regularly promote offers to their followers on Facebook in a clear and easy to use format to encourage uptake.
How you can do something similar: Why not consider running a simple, cost effective discount code offer to turn your followers into customers? By using a colourful image with easy to follow instructions, you’ll make it extremely hard for people not to make a purchase with you!
6. Wordery using motivational quotes in their Instagram posts
What they are doing on social media: Wordery are including motivational quotes in their posts to engage and inspire their followers.
Why this particular post works well: Wordery know that their followers are predominantly book lovers, who in turn are probably big fans of words in general. So what better way to make a connection with them than by posting some really inspirational quotes to drive engagement?
How you can do something similar: Social media activity doesn’t have to be all about the hard sell, as this post proves. It’s important to remember that building two way engagement with your following is the key to success on channels such as Instagram, and motivational quotes provide a really easy way to do this. To get started, think about messages and sentiment that will resonate with your followers (e.g. if you are a cosmetic business, then quotes about beauty would work well), and then use a website like Brainy Quote to find quotes that you’d like to share.
As you can see from the examples above, it’s really straightforward for ecommerce businesses to maximize the power of social media. By utilizing a range of content, and using it to promote your brand identity and engage with your followers, the possibilities are really endless when it comes to growing your fan numbers and making sales!
Victoria Greene: Brand Marketer & Blogger
I’m an ecommerce marketer by trade, and I run a blog in my spare time where I like to talk about content and brand blogging. I love taking people’s ideas and making them into digital realities. Guest posting is one of the ways I do digital PR for myself and my blog.