What Is Social Commerce? How Social Media Is Changing The Way We Shop

Consumers no longer need to leave the comfort of their favorite social media apps to shop for products and services. The e-commerce world has joined with social media platforms to bring you the experience called social commerce. It’s multitasking at its finest! One minute you are scrolling your Facebook feed and the next minute you are shopping online. And marketing experts know just how to utilize the ads we see on our favorite social media platforms to entice us to shop. Social media is influencing many facets of our lives, and now it’s changing the way we shop. Not only can you find new products you love, but you can also discover places to shop for the services you need.  

Why Consumers Love Social Commerce

The more time consumers spend on their favorite social media sites, the more likely they are to shop from their favorite brands right in the moment. Whether they see an enticing ad or follow their favorite brands’ social media accounts, it’s ease and convenience that help generate sales. 

Social media influencers can also influence followers by recommending their favorite products and services. They often share a promo code or provide links for their followers to encourage them to shop based on the influencer’s recommendations. This can create an online community of like-minded consumers flooding a shopping site, especially if there is a sale or incentive! Word-of-mouth recommendations are a powerful marketing tool, and this is where social media influencers can be a valuable asset to business owners. 

Social Commerce Isn’t Just For Products – It’s For Services Too

Social commerce has become a unique way for businesses to market their services, particularly in the health and wellness industry. With the advancement of many wellness providers utilizing telemedicine services, consumers can shop online for the needed services. If you are looking to improve your health, you can shop for a variety of services, such as consultations with a dietitian, fitness coach, mental health counselor, and much more. 

Social media marketing relies on behavioral science to generate leads and sales. This is a great way for wellness companies to find new potential clients. The beauty of selling health and wellness services through social commerce is that a provider can reach more people who are homebound or even live in other states or countries. Consumers can discover new providers through social media and sign up for educational webinars that lead to purchasing their products and services. People are no longer limited to seeking healthcare in their hometowns and surrounding cities when they can find the services they need online!

Top Social Media Platforms For Social Commerce For Services

Facebook and Instagram are the top two social media platforms used by adult shoppers who utilize social commerce to purchase products and services. Wellness companies can greatly benefit by providing options for their clients and potential clients to shop for their products and services through social media ads. 

Facebook ads generate new leads by reaching a broad audience. Businesses can also create Facebook groups to foster their own community where they build trust by providing education, wellness tips, and updates to their clients. 

Instagram ads are a great way to generate leads, too. However, the main focus of Instagram is to show health and wellness content through visuals. Wellness companies can utilize Instagram stories and reels to offer fun and educational content in short video format. Post contact such as patient success stories and wellness tips. Encourage followers to practice healthy habits that will inspire many to improve their health, leading to potential new clients. 

In Conclusion

At Finding Business Balance, we’re experts at helping small businesses in the health and wellness industry with their social media needs. Are you thinking about running ads on Facebook and Instagram but not sure where to start? We’re here to guide you or handle the setup for you.  If you want to learn more about how we can help you grow your brand through social media marketing, contact us today for a complimentary consultation call.