5 Reasons Why Businesses Should Leverage Social Media

Social media offers companies, large or small, a valuable opportunity to reach a wider audience and market products or services. And in case you didn't know by now: Social media is not a fad, and it's not just for the youth.

People uses social media. But how often? 57% of those surveyed used?at least?4 social networks every day.

Let's summarize what we can learn from this:

• Every age group uses social media
• 4/5 use a Facebook app every day
• Social media encourages the purchase of a product or service
• Social media use continues to grow in all age groups
• And finally: people use social media for 49 minutes every day

If that doesn't convince you to use social media for your business, I'll guide you through?the 5 reasons why companies should use social media:

1. Brand Awareness & Trust

It's just a fact that potential customers do?research online?before making a purchase. Where are they looking? Of course, Google is the number 1 website to research, but more and more users use?Facebook?for that. They go to your page, view your opening hours, recent messages, telephone number, and contact details, and often send a message directly.

There are 3 possible outcomes when they start looking for your company:

1. They find nothing and therefore have no confidence in your company.
2. They find your company page on social media but need to be made active... And lose trust in your company as a result.
3. They find your business page on social media, see that it's active, and want to learn more about your business. This creates more trust and brand awareness and allows you to make a valuable connection with this potential customer.

2. Improved Visibility in Google

As mentioned earlier, potential customers are looking for information about your business on Google. One of the benefits of setting up (active) company pages on social media is that it allows you to completely take over the first page of Google with?pages you control.

For example, search for your company name and see all the results on the first page. If you have set up a Facebook page, there is a good chance that the page will rank on the first page of Google. If you also have a LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, or Twitter page, there is a chance that these are also listed. When customers click through to one of these pages, they always end up on a page where they are in direct contact with your company and from which your company manages the communication.

On top of that, social media also helps improve your company website's ranking for search terms unrelated to your brand name.?Active pages give a positive signal to Google, leading to improved rankings.

3. Loyal, Returning Customers

Social media marketing your business?personality. That is a compelling fact because it ensures loyal customers who will make more purchases.

After customers make a purchase, social media allows you to stay in touch and make your business the first company they think of when they need a product or service. We all know how important it is to stay in touch with customers, and social media is another channel you can use.

There is also such a thing as 'social proof .'Because customers like, follow and share updates on your business page, you build trust with potential new customers. They see that others like your company, making it easier for them to purchase. We also call this "the new word-of-mouth advertising."

4. More Referrals and Reviews

Building on social proof: Everyone knows the?'You are from ...' pages?that every municipality has. Residents of a municipality often ask for advice on this. For example:?'Does anyone know where you can have an iPhone screen made?'?or?'I'm looking for someone who can print t-shirts?'.

Your followers are also part of those pages. Thanks to your?active presence on social media, you will be the first thing they think of, and they will tag your page. And remember that it's easier for customers who have had a positive experience with your business to leave a positive review.?

Still, trying to convince?

5. Diversify Your Marketing

We left the most strategic reason for last:?Companies need to diversify their marketing.?You are very vulnerable if you are currently dependent on 1 or 2 marketing strategies!

We've all heard the stories of Google updates that destroyed a website's ranking in search results. Advertising (offline and online) is becoming increasingly expensive as more competitors begin to focus on this strategy. Cold calling is as good as dead...

These examples indicate that any strategy can be hit. The only way to?long-term success?is to diversify your marketing strategies by adding social media.

Make sure to create and implement your social media strategy!

Today's customers are digitally connected and expect companies they deal with to have a professional online presence. To thrive in today's market, you need to have a social presence on potential customers' platforms.

Do you have doubts, or are you still determining your piece??The good news is that you can hire a?social media manager ?without an unlimited budget.