From MySpace to Facebook, the growth of social media had been rapid in the last two decades. This is likely the reason why SEO or search engine optimization has now included social media presence in its requirements for websites to gain high search engine rankings.
If you are a business owner, you should take this as a queue. Of course, being able to rank high on search engines, especially on Google, would mean more exposure for your brand, product, or service. If you own an ecommerce store, the more you need social media to increase your visibility to existing customers and of course, to prospects. Here are just some of the reasons why social media is an effective SEO for your ecommerce store.
Social media networks can provide free advertising to online businesses through different ways. For example, if a person deals with your business and is satisfied with your products and services, they might post their experience on their Facebook or Twitter page. Easily, their friends and family would be able to see and read their post and would serve as free advertisement for your business.
Another benefit is that social media networks can help improve your relationship with your customers. Even if you already have a website for your business, Facebook pages, for example, can serve as a free medium for your customers to reach out to you. You or your staff can answer queries that your customers might as you or reply to their comments or PMs in real time.
How social media works for your store’s SEO
As you may have already know, SEO would make use of the algorithm placed by their developers mainly on the search engines of the social network. All social media networks now have their own search toolbar normally located at the top of the website. You simply have to type what you are looking for and you would most likely see what you need on the first try. This is where SEO for ecommerce comes into play.
The use of social media networks can be both ways, for your business and your customers. It is important to utilize these networks in order to fully inform the public of your business’ presence. With the right keywords, your current and potential customers would see you with just a quick click.
Here are three social media networks that are proven effective, useful, and generally inexpensive.
1. YouTube
YouTube is a social network that has millions of visitors every day. Users flock YouTube to search certain videos that they are interested in. If they find what they are looking for or like what they see, visitors like to share the videos that they enjoyed. They can post the link of the video on different social network sites available on the internet.
Let’s have this example. Machinima, a YouTube channel, was reportedly “paid” by Microsoft to advertise the Xbox One. All Machinima had to do was either advertise the console and the game or say a lot of good things about the console. However, Machinima isn’t the only one on YouTube saying good things about the Xbox One.
Let’s stretch our imaginations. For example, if you own Microsoft and you want to advertise Xbox One, an uploader or a channel owner reviewing or saying good things about it can do wonders. If a visitor searches “Xbox One” on the search engine they would see these videos.
Not only that, the comment section below the video can serve as a discussion board for the viewers. You can see here what the public really thinks about your business. These commenters would post here whether they agree with the videos or not, and tell you, sometimes in great detail, why. This is a great way to be social with them – by commenting, saying thank you, or defending your business.
2. Facebook
Facebook, on the other hand, focuses more on the personal level. You can actually see a lot of detail about a person simply by looking at their Facebook page. This is the reason why you should utilize Facebook for your online business.
The search engine of Facebook is not really highly usable for keywords. However, you can specify a lot of details on the social network’s search engine, which your ecommerce business can utilize. By using the advanced search, you can search specific persons that fit your target market. For example, if your online store only caters to female who located only in your locality, searching for female located at that place would narrow your search. Make a friend request and you can easily advertise your products and services to them.
However – a word of caution – if your customers do not know the name of your business, they might have a hard time finding it on Facebook. Since the search bar only finds the name of the thing you are searching for, keywords might not do you some good. It is best, if you have a small business, to seek them out yourself.
3. Twitter
Twitter is now becoming the top social media website. A person can post about something for 140 characters. Twitter can be of great use for your business. Unlike Facebook, you can do a lot of searching with keywords. Your customers can search your business with just the right keyword.
As an example, try entering “nature photography” on the quick search bar. You would see a number of posts and pages that pertain to nature photography. You can have your pick on which one you would click and view. The same can be done for your business. If you are a food service provider, for example, posting about food or any food-related things about your products would help in the search with “food” as a keyword.
You have to take note that there are thousands, if not millions of posts on Twitter on a daily basis. You have to make sure that your business would stand out. The best way here is to utilize Twitter’s advanced search engine. If the advanced search would show your business on the first few posts, then you are good to go.
Today, there are several other social media networks that you can use for your ecommerce store. It just boils down to working harder and exerting more effort in finding ways to improve your social media presence, and consequently, your company, product, or service visibility.
