Social Commerce vs eCommerce

Social commerce vs eCommerce. What is the definition of each one? And how do they differ from one another? Is one better than the other?

Let us dig deeper into this article.

Social Commerce vs eCommerce: Definition

eCommerce

Electric commerce or eCommerce. It is the use of the internet to sell or buy products or services. To do so, the seller will need to include important details about what they are selling.

Then, they will need to upload a picture or video of said product. They will post it on their eCommerce website. Or they can choose to sell at big eCommerce sites like Amazon, Shopify, eBay, and more.

Once a customer orders an item, they need to pack and ship it to their address. So, that is how eCommerce works.

Social Commerce

Social commerce is a branch of eCommerce that was birthed thanks to the rise of social media sites. Over time, these sites rolled out e-commerce features.

Thus, making it possible for sellers to post their products and services on these sites. Some examples are Facebook and Instagram. 

Sellers can make ads or even make their content shoppable. Also, they can get the help of chatbots to help answer their customers. Further, they can even buy directly at social media sites.

Social Commerce vs eCommerce: The Difference

Today, the biggest market for many industries is eCommerce. But social commerce is not far away.

But what are their differences? There are five key areas. Take a look:

eCommerce

• Interaction. It happens at the seller’s website or an eCommerce website.
• Marketing Costs. Yes, you can save on operational costs. But you need to put in a good investment in marketing your platform. This is because you will need to look for the right customers to market to.
• Loyalty and Promotions. You can do one on your site. But you may need to promote this on your social media platforms. Or get the help of an influencer.
• Customer Experience. Using customer insight makes the customer experience easier more than ever.
• Customer Interaction. You can add personalized messaging. And you can let your customers ask about your products.

Social Commerce

• Interaction. It happens within the seller’s social media channels.
• Marketing Costs. You can save a lot from operational costs. Also, it is easier to know your customers. Social media sites let you target your ads. Thus, you can make targeted campaigns.
• Loyalty and Promotions. Social media sites can help you know your loyal customers. Also, you can market your promotions easier.
• Customer Experience. Customers can buy within a social media app. But that is not always the case. Sometimes, they are driven to another window, site, or app.
• Customer Interaction. You can chat with your customers while they are still browsing. Also, they may find it easier to reach you.

As you can see, each has its own strong points. So, before deciding which one is better for your brand, you need to study hard on these facts. Or you can always make use of the two for the best results.