Types of Social Commerce You Need to Know

Did you know there are different types of social commerce today? What are these types and how can your brand leverage them?

In this article, we will get to know the four types of social commerce. So, read on.

Four Types of Social Commerce

Chat Features

Chat features are an effective type of social commerce. In this area, Facebook is a winner as it bridges Facebook and Instagram. Further, it also supports WhatsApp. How does this type of social commerce happen? This is when customers interact with your:

• brand
• pages
• ads

How can you take leverage this? Add call-to-action buttons on Messengers. This will entice your customers to click the product and buy it while you are chatting with them. What are some reasons they are chatting with you? They might want to:

• inquire
• ask for help
• expect quick response

While chatting with customers, it is better to make direct sales pitches.

Electronic Payments (e-Payments)

Today, we are now seeing the rise of e-Payments on social posts. What is this? An e-Payment will let your audience buy from your post within the social media app. How does this work?

You can make a post with an e-Payment or feature an ad. Once clicked, the customer can read the details about your product or service. Once they liked it, they can buy the item then and there and pay using the e-Payment option.

You can use Facebook Pay for this or even opt to launch your brand’s very own payment system.

Stories

Today, temporary pictures and videos are getting famous thanks to the rise of Stories. Of course, social commerce is not late to follow this trend. As a result, we can now see shoppable stories.

On Instagram, you can make your Story shoppable by adding a tag on it. For example, you feature a picture or video of an item in your Story. You can then tag that item. Once clicked, it drives your audience to the product details. It will also show them an option to buy the item.

To be effective in making Stories, you need to be active. Also, you can recycle posts if you want. Make sure it is eye-catching as your users will only look at it for a few seconds.

Forums and Groups

Forums and groups are the first types of social commerce. This is where social commerce first took place. Today, these are sites like Reddit and LinkedIn.

True, you cannot make a direct sale in this type, but there is one key: make a community. So, share useful information. Do not try to make it sound very sales-y as this will make people get tired of you. Instead, build their trust.

In trying this type, you need to let your customers direct the buying decision. Your only role is to stress to them the benefits of your products or services.

Use All Four Types of Social Commerce

Have you encountered all four types of social commerce? Are you already leveraging all of them for your brand? If not, you should do so soon to drive more audience and customers.