With the rise of social media platforms, small businesses have more to reach new customers to grow. In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of the most popular platforms for small businesses. Also, we provide you with interesting tidbits and facts about social media in general.
What We Have To Know About Social Media
Practical Definition
Social media refers to the use of web-based and mobile interactive communication. Andreas Kaplan and Michael Haenlein define it as a group of Internet-based applications based on the internet. They then continue by saying that it builds on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0. According to them, it allows the creation and exchange of user-generated content.
Users engage in social media for various reasons and here are just some of them:
– to connect with friends, family, or other individuals;
– to share news and experiences;
– or simply to pass the time.
Social media sites have become a platform for marketing and advertisements. Businesses are able to reach a large number of people through social media marketing. In addition, users can share reviews, and product recommendations, and refer friends to the product they are interested in. It also has been adopted by many as a tool to conduct intensive research.
A Brief History of Social Media
The first platforms began appearing in the late 1990s. SixDegrees.com was one of the earliest that made its debut in 1997. It allowed users to create a profile and add friends much like today’s social media sites. Friendster, launched in 2002, was also an early social networking site. It quickly grew in popularity, but unfortunately faded away sometime in the early 2010s.
MySpace was one of the most popular social networking sites of the 2000s. It allowed users to customise their profiles with HTML code and share photos, music, and videos. It was eventually eclipsed by Facebook, which launched in 2004.
Facebook took social media by storm as it made it easier to connect with friends and family online. Today, there are dozens of platforms that all of us may even have. These include Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. It has become an integral part
Overview of Types of Social Media
There are various types of social media, including but not limited to:
– microblogs
– wikis,
– social networking sites,
– video sharing sites, and
– virtual worlds
The most popular social media website in the world is Facebook with over 2 billion monthly active users as of June 2017. Other popular platforms include YouTube, WeChat, WhatsApp, and QQ. Well, there are also the likes of Tumblr, Baidu Tieba, and Flickr that don’t have as many users as the aforementioned platforms.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The advantages of using social media are that it allows for easy communication, nonetheless. Also, interaction with a large number of people from all over the world becomes possible.
Furthermore, they can promote their products or services at a fraction of the cost. In addition, social media can be used as a research tool to gather information about people’s opinions and preferences.
Some disadvantages include the spread of false information, cyberbullying, and privacy concerns. It is important to be aware of these potential dangers when using social media so that you can avoid them.
Social Media and Small Businesses
Small businesses can benefit from social media in many ways without an ounce of doubt. Perhaps the most obvious way is that social media provides a low-cost and easy-to-use marketing platform. A strong social media presence can help small businesses reach new customers and build brand awareness.
Social media is used to foster, create, and nurture relationships with existing customers. For example, many small businesses use it to offer customer service or answer questions. This can help create a sense of loyalty and goodwill among customers.
Finally, social media can be a useful tool for networking and connecting with other businesses in your industry. You can use social media to find potential partners, collaborators, or suppliers. You can also use it to stay up-to-date on industry news and trends.
Platforms That Should Be Utilised By Small Businesses
Facebook. Facebook is one of the largest and most popular platforms. However, it can also be time-consuming to manage and it may not be the best platform if you aren’t knowledgeable enough. Furthermore, it can get pretty complicated when you are managing a business account alone.
Twitter. Twitter is a fast-paced platform that can be great for getting your message out quickly. However, it can also be difficult to stand out in the crowded Twitterverse, and you may not get as much engagement as you would on other platforms. So, it is best to work with an expert to strategise on using this specific platform for your business.
Instagram. Instagram is a visual platform that can be great for showing off your products or services. However, it can be challenging to drive traffic to your website from this site as it is. To utilise this, you need to invest in paid advertising among others. Such a strategy may be a good idea to reach a wider audience coverage. Also, it is best to learn photography and graphic design to successfully showcase your products to the many users of IG.
Pinterest. Pinterest is a visually-focused platform that can be great for driving traffic to your website. It can also be used to build relationships with customers and promote your brand. However, it can be difficult to stand out on Pinterest. It goes without saying that you may also need to invest in paid advertising just like the other platforms.
There are many other platforms available, but these are some of the most popular options for small businesses. Choose the platform that makes the most sense for your business and your goals.
On Point Digital Solutions Is The Best Company To Partner With
There are a lot of digital marketing agencies that small businesses partner with to help them boost their online presence. Know that some are better than others when it comes to providing quality services and results.
One agency that stands out from the rest is On Point Digital Solutions. This company has a proven track record of helping small businesses succeed with their social media ventures. On Point Digital Solutions offers a comprehensive suite of services that can help your business grow its online presence. We can help you create and implement an effective social media strategy and develop engaging content.
Best of all, On Point Digital Solutions, is highly affordable, making it a great option for small businesses on a budget. If you’re looking for an agency that can help your small business succeed with social media, we are the best. Contact us now to learn more about their services and how they can help your business grow.
In Conclusion
As we come to an end, it’s important to reiterate that social media platforms can be extremely valuable for small businesses. It provides a way to connect with potential and current customers but also offers a powerful platform for marketing.
When used correctly, social media can help small businesses reach new heights. Remember to focus on quality over quantity and keep your audience in mind. If you take the time to create a strong social media strategy, you’ll be well on your way to success. And for the best results, there is On Point Digital Solutions to partner with.
Related Page and Articles
