How Social Media Can Help Your Ecommerce Store

Posted Oct 8, '20; Updated Nov 5, '24

When looking to make a purchase, consumers have a wealth of options to choose from, with eCommerce becoming increasingly more popular. For businesses that sell products online, social media can be a valuable part of an overall online marketing strategy. Smart WSI Marketing is an Edmonton eCommerce website design company that can show you how to use social media to grow brand awareness and bring qualified leads to your site. Contact us to learn more.

The State of eCommerce 

Does your business currently sell products online? In Canada, online retail sales, =have experienced significant growth over recent years. In May 2020, e-commerce sales reached a record high of $3.9 billion, accounting for approximately 10% of total retail sales, up from 4% in May 2019. This surge was largely driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated the shift towards online shopping.

By December 2023, retail e-commerce sales in Canada were approximately $3.7 billion, representing 5.5% of total retail trade. This indicates a stabilization of e-commerce's share in the retail sector as in-person shopping resumed.

We’ve talked before about how your eCommerce website design plays a key role in facilitating transactions and boosting sales, and how an experienced web design agency can build a site that attracts more customers. But just how do you direct all this new traffic to your site? Social media!

Why You Should Use Social Media for eCommerce 

Optimized eCommerce website design is an excellent online marketing tool. But just like carpenters use hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches, you need more than one tool in your digital marketing strategy to increase sales.  

Social media was originally designed as a way for people to connect. It quickly broadened its reach and value by becoming a place where people research and gain word-of-mouth recommendations on all types of products and services. And with new features like Instagram Shop coming on the scene, people everywhere will soon be able to complete their entire shopping experience through a social app.

Social Media Marketing Strategies for eCommerce

Which social media platforms you use depends greatly on where your customers spend their time. Here’s how other businesses are using the top 4:

• Facebook: With over 3 billion monthly active users, Facebook remains the world's most used social media platform. It offers powerful targeted advertising options, making it essential for many eCommerce strategies. Additionally, Facebook Marketplace provides a platform for direct product sales, enhancing its utility for online retailers.

• Instagram: Instagram boasts 2 billion monthly active users, with 60% of users discovering new products on the platform. Its visual-centric design and features like shoppable posts make it ideal for showcasing products and driving sales.

• X (formerly Twitter): X has approximately 368 million monthly active users. It's effective for sharing timely updates, promotions, and engaging in customer service, helping to build and maintain your online reputation.

• Pinterest: While it may not be considered a top social media site, with 498 million monthly active users, Pinterest is a powerful platform for eCommerce. Over 90% of its audience uses it to plan purchases, making it a valuable tool for influencing consumer decisions.

eCommerce Website Design: Built for Success 

Website design plays a huge role in your eCommerce marketing strategy. Connecting with customers on social media is a great way to build relationships, attract interest, and encourage people to visit your site. Smart WSI Marketing is an Edmonton website design company that can help you design a social media strategy that yields a solid return on investment. To learn more about eCommerce web design or to discuss our full range of digital marketing services, contact us today.

Lynne Motkoski, Marketing Strategist

Specialty: Online Marketing Strategies
Education: MA Communications & Technology, BComm [U Alberta]
Author: The Online Marketing Handbook for Busy Entrepreneurs (coming soon)

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Lynne is known for her strategic approach to marketing communications, technologies, and lead generation. She has a passion for education, keeping up with current marketing trends and practices, and helping clients keep ahead of their competition.

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