Social Media for Business: Types of Platforms and Link to E-commerce

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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 2
Part 2
Social media for business
Research indicates that there is an increased adoption of social media and that it is shifting
the way businesses operates. Currently what matters in business is not whether one should
employ social media for marketing; the question is how to do it and what the best platform is.
Social media is an expansive word employed to define the diverse virtual technology tools
that allow individuals to connect through the internet by sharing information and resources.
Sharing on social media takes different shapes including blog posts, posting photos and
videos, audio files, links, and status updates. Furthermore, the various platforms also offer
feedback mechanisms to make them more of an interactive forum. Initially, the aim was to
have social media as a platforms where family and friends could share information, however
with time social media has outgrown its initial purpose to become a tool that businesses can
use to interact with their customers, interactions amongst employees, and interactions
between the management and the employees (Media 2010).
The online community has become a culture on its own an effective and prolific innovator as
well. In marketing, the online community has altered the rules of branding in terms of the
kind of techniques that work and those that do not. The business community cannot
underestimate the potential of social media as it has transcended from being just a want to
become a need. Data collected in January 2018 indicated that there are 4.02 billion internet
users representing almost 53% of the world population. The active users account for 42%,
which is about 3.2 billion active users. The numbers alone are a manifestation of the potential
held by social media and its ability to grow even further(Authors 2013).
With such massive potential, it is impossible to ignore its potential especially in the
marketing world. The massive adoption of social media and its promising potential for

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 3
continued growth has become a treasure mine for businesses especially with increased
competition and the need to continuously engage and interact with consumers. Print media
and radio advertisement are slowly losing their relevance and social media aggressively
replacing their roles in advertisement and consumer interaction platform (Success 2011).
Types of social media platforms
The potential of growth offered by social media means that businesses ought to leverage
appropriate social media networks for effective use. The aim is not just becoming a member
of the various social media platforms available but it is because the target audience is most
likely to be found in the various platforms. Purposefully consumers continuously interact
with their preferred products on diverse levels. Having a social media presence increases the
chances of the business to generate increased revenue and to better associate and interact with
consumers on a whole new level (Reports et al. 2009).
Facebook
It is the most recognized social media platform globally with over a billion users worldwide
with an approximate 50% being active users of the platform. The platform is used to stay
connected with friends and family, used for discovering new things as well as sharing things
that matter. it offers a podium that can be used to connect with different people(Media &
Sites 2010).
Facebook offers businesses an opportunity to have real-time interactions with customers and
potential customers. Being free it allows businesses to receive real-time feedback and to
engage with other potential clients (Hoffmann & Novak, 2012). Google often spot Facebook
business pages offering businesses an opportunity to reach its customers. Moreover, for
purposes of networking, internal and external communication, planning, and tracking events,
and the promotion of products and services companies can use Facebook. As consumers