3 Ways Social Media Can Help Grow Your Online Business

I would like to share with you 3 ways social media can help grow your online business. Social media has transformed the way that we communicate with one another and do business. We use it for every aspect of life, and in doing so, it has the power to shape our thoughts, change our views, and influence our decisions.

The number of worldwide social media users is expected to reach 2.95 billion by 2020. It is fair to say that social media is here to stay and is transforming the way that consumers buy. If you run an online business you cannot afford to not build a strong online presence.

Are you using social media to help grow your online business? If not, it’s time to start. In the words of Erik Qualman, “We don’t have a choice on whether we do social media. The question is how well we do it.”

Below are 3 ways that social media can help grow your online business:
1. Provides Insights About Customers

In today’s digital world, social customers are quick and savvy. Social media platforms are comprised of a large amount of data that can provide you with valuable insights about who your customers are and what they are interested in.

Armed with this knowledge, you can then customize your marketing strategy to align with their needs. It may help to inspire your social media posts, engage in online interactions, or create new product ideas.

For example, pay close attention to your Twitter followers or Facebook fans. What topics are they interested in? What do they complain about? What makes them tick? Listen to your audience. Doing so will help you find new ideas around which to generate engaging and relevant content.
2. Builds Your Brand Awareness

When used correctly, social media has the power to increase the visibility of your brand and allows you to engage with your customers on a much deeper level. In a Sprout Social Q1 2017 survey of 1,000 consumers, 62 percent said that they are likely to purchase from a brand they follow on social media.

The reality is that customers buy from businesses that they like and trust, and this is where branding comes into play. According to a recent study by the Internet Advertising Bureau UK, nearly 80% of consumers would be more inclined to buy more often in the future because of a brand’s presence on social networking sites.

When you actively and consistently engage with your target audience on social media, it will ensure that you increase the loyalty towards your brand. In the words of Phil Dusenberry, “A brand is nothing but an expression of a consumer’s loyalty and trust.”
3. Amplifies Search Engine Rankings

Anyone that runs an online business knows how important search engine rankings are. You can have the best blog or website out there, but if nobody is visiting it, then what’s the point?

Not only does social media help direct people to your website, but the more social media shares you receive, the higher your search ranking will be.

Search engines assume that the more shares that posts have, the more relevant readers deem it to be. The #1 way to amplify your rankings is to provide massive value in the form of great content. If your readers don’t find your content interesting, you’ve missed the point of search engine optimization altogether.

Add value, not volume. There is no better way to grow your online business. In the words of Tom Pick, “Social may be sexy, but search still pays the bills.”

These are 3 ways that social media can help grow your online business. In today’s digital world, entrepreneurs cannot ignore the power of social media. It is one of the most inexpensive and powerful marketing tools for building authority and trust over the long-term. Are you ready to grow your online presence and take your business to the next level?