How Facebook Can Be Used for E-Commerce
http://www.webmarktools.net/articles/3479/1/How-Facebook-Can-Be-Used-for-E-Commerce/Page1.html
Josh Tyler
Josh Tyler, Marketing Exec @ Easily.co.uk - Fast and simple domain name registration. Search domain names quickly, all major extensions and no catches. Register your low cost domain name today! By Josh Tyler
Published on 09/7/2011
Facebook's association with business is usually derivative of advertising and marketing campaigns, with significant emphasis placed on getting social media referrals and developing a social media presence. However, Facebook as well as being an essential consumer relationship building tool for your business can actually be more directly effective in selling products.
Fashion retailers such as ASOS and Young British Designers have capitalized on the notion that 40% of Facebook users follow their favourite brand(s) on Facebook, with 15% having the intention to purchase an item from the brand within 60 days. Both retailers took the step of launching fully- integrated shopping services on Facebook; allowing for Facebooker's to browse and purchase items from their entire catalogue, as well as all the other features available on their respective websites.
The added social aspect of the service is that purchased and desired items can be 'Liked' and shared with Facebook friends. Full e-commerce integration with Facebook is effective in adding convenience to the shopping experience, and utilizes the secure, familiar sentiments associated with Facebook, as users do not leave the website.
Exclusivity is also a useful short and long term tool in driving e-commerce on Facebook. Promotions whereby fans are rewarded for their support of a brand or service on the social network can not only increase sales short term, but also strengthen customer loyalty. Several companies have ran promotions whereby Facebook 'fans' were: granted access to the brand's products earlier, offered attractive discounts or could purchase items which were unavailable elsewhere.
Jeweller Rachel Roy struck gold by setting up a 'pop-up' shop on Facebook for just three days offering fans early access to her new jewellery line. The results were astounding with the company's fan base increasing by 100% by the end of the campaign, while an exclusive featured piece sold out in just six hours of release.
Not every company has the capacity to take such drastic action, however there are further tools which can be utilized on Facebook. The 'Like' feature, as mentioned earlier is effective in sharing information with others. Integrating Facebook 'Like' tabs onto your website pages will drive referrals from curious peers who encounter links to your content in their Facebook newsfeed. Similarly, Facebook's 'share' and 'review' options are handy tools, which can easily be incorporated onto your website prompting a domino-like effect.
Fan pages can also be utilized for e-commerce without drastic action by running contests and special deals, which will engage your customers. Simply posting details of an exclusive offer just for Facebook fans or a contest whereby fans are immediately entered into a prize draw for 'Liking' your page can increase commerce.
Facebook's bearing on e-commerce is in all likelihood set to increase dramatically as it introduces new features which prompt sales. A 'Buy With Friends' application, which will allow brands to give discounts to users who suggest products to their friends, is said to be in the pipeline. Facebook could begin to suggest products/brands, in accordance with a user's repertoire of 'Likes,' in a similar vein to its suggestion of friends and pages.
The added social aspect of the service is that purchased and desired items can be 'Liked' and shared with Facebook friends. Full e-commerce integration with Facebook is effective in adding convenience to the shopping experience, and utilizes the secure, familiar sentiments associated with Facebook, as users do not leave the website.
Exclusivity is also a useful short and long term tool in driving e-commerce on Facebook. Promotions whereby fans are rewarded for their support of a brand or service on the social network can not only increase sales short term, but also strengthen customer loyalty. Several companies have ran promotions whereby Facebook 'fans' were: granted access to the brand's products earlier, offered attractive discounts or could purchase items which were unavailable elsewhere.
Jeweller Rachel Roy struck gold by setting up a 'pop-up' shop on Facebook for just three days offering fans early access to her new jewellery line. The results were astounding with the company's fan base increasing by 100% by the end of the campaign, while an exclusive featured piece sold out in just six hours of release.
Not every company has the capacity to take such drastic action, however there are further tools which can be utilized on Facebook. The 'Like' feature, as mentioned earlier is effective in sharing information with others. Integrating Facebook 'Like' tabs onto your website pages will drive referrals from curious peers who encounter links to your content in their Facebook newsfeed. Similarly, Facebook's 'share' and 'review' options are handy tools, which can easily be incorporated onto your website prompting a domino-like effect.
Fan pages can also be utilized for e-commerce without drastic action by running contests and special deals, which will engage your customers. Simply posting details of an exclusive offer just for Facebook fans or a contest whereby fans are immediately entered into a prize draw for 'Liking' your page can increase commerce.
Facebook's bearing on e-commerce is in all likelihood set to increase dramatically as it introduces new features which prompt sales. A 'Buy With Friends' application, which will allow brands to give discounts to users who suggest products to their friends, is said to be in the pipeline. Facebook could begin to suggest products/brands, in accordance with a user's repertoire of 'Likes,' in a similar vein to its suggestion of friends and pages.