Even though the first social media sites appeared in the late 1990s, it was not until 2010 and beyond that it sky-rocketed. Originally designed to connect friends and share photos, it has morphed into a business-boosting powerhouse! Billions, not millions, but billions of people use social media worldwide. In mid-2024 it was estimated that there were over 5.17 BILLION social media users around the globe. That really is a lot of people, considering the world has a total population of about 8 billion.
When it comes to your business, it is important to note that approximately 17.8% of UK social media users follow their favourite brands online. Not to mention 74% of consumers admit they use social media to guide their buying decisions.
And that is just the tip of the iceberg!
Most Popular Social Media Platforms In The UK
YouTube is currently leading the social media pack with about 45.5 million users. Closely followed by Facebook with around 45.1 million users. X (formerly Twitter) holds the third position among social media networks in the UK. Last but not least, Instagram is in fourth place. Insta flaunts an incredible 36.7 million users and is THE most popular platform among youngsters.
Not traditionally considered a social media platform but has recently been used to conduct business, is Whatsapp. This chatting app has about 40.9 million users!
Is it starting to make a bit more sense just how important social media is for your business? Let’s continue.
Why Social Media Marketing Matters
Social media can help ensure your brand, products, and services get seen by the RIGHT people. By that, we mean your target demographic. They are people you WANT to do business with and the people who NEED your services. Social media also helps promote your company more effectively. It allows your business to be seen by those thousands of people mentioned at the beginning of this article and expands across geographical boundaries. A highway billboard simply cannot compete, and neither can a pamphlet. It also helps you:
Engage With Your Audience
This is quite important. If you are not the social type, then you may want to consider hiring a marketing agency or a social media marketer. However, engage with your audience you must. Social media was designed to be a two-way street and engaging with your audience is connecting with your audience. Whether you are replying to comments, DMs, or jumping into online chats, communicating with your followers builds trust (and inevitably trust equates to increased bookings or sales).
Engaging with your audience also provides you with the unique opportunity to listen to their feedback and quickly address any concerns. This helps you tweak your online persona and it also shows your customers that they are not just a dollar sign, but that you DO really care.
Drive Website Traffic And Sales
Social media is a fantastic way to drive traffic to your website! In fact, social media accounts for around 25 to 30% of overall website traffic for many businesses. Think of it this way, if your business is not growing, what is the point of it all? Growing is great. Growing is also key to your business’s survival. So be sure to add appropriate Call-To-Action buttons on your social posts like Swipe Up or Shop Now inspiring online visitors on what to do next.
Do Market Research
Social media offers a treasure trove of data to help shape your business strategies. By paying attention to your followers’ behaviour, engagement, and interactions with your posts, you can learn what truly resonates with your audience (and what does not). These analytics tools allow you to create strategic marketing strategies vs. just sharing willy-nilly posts online. You can also track how your social media campaigns are performing in real-time, which helps you save money on ads in the long run. After all, knowing your audience’s demographics, like their interests, location, and buying habits, you can create a post that resonates with them right off the bat.
Stay Ahead Of Your Competitors
Also a very important advantage social media offers. Simply put, social media gives your business a competitive edge by keeping you up to date with industry trends and customer preferences. This helps you stay relevant and ahead of the curve.
Remember, being ahead allows you to position yourself as an industry leader. Customers tend to trust and prefer businesses that lead the way with innovation, quality, and customer service. It just is what it is. Staying ahead also helps maintain a strong reputation, as customers see you as a trusted, reliable choice.
To Quickly Recap
Social media is critical to your online and overall business success (when used correctly may we add). If all the above felt overwhelming, Greek, French, or even boring to you, then never hesitate to reach out to our team.
We live and breathe digital marketing and staying on top of all things social media. We will leave you with the following: “Content is fire. Social media is gasoline” – Jay Baer (world-renowned business growth and customer experience expert and researcher).
So, there you have it.
