Why Social Commerce is the Future of E-Commerce

Social commerce, the integration of e-commerce and social media, is a $360 billion market in Asia but still in its early stages in the Western world. It is projected to be one of the fastest-growing trends of the 2020s.

One reason for this is that advertising is becoming less effective due to privacy concerns, and brands are looking for alternative customer acquisition channels. Social commerce allows individuals to recommend products to their friends, who are more likely to trust their friends’ recommendations than influencers.

This incentivizes entrepreneurs to invest more in the quality of their products and customer experience than in marketing.

The global social commerce industry is set to grow from $492 billion in 2021 to $1.2 trillion by 2025, driven by Gen Z and millennial consumers, who will account for 62% of global social commerce spend by 2025.

In recent years, social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, with billions of people around the world using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest to connect with others, share their lives, and discover new things.

However, social media is not just a place to connect with friends and family anymore; it’s also becoming a hub for shopping. Social commerce, the integration of e-commerce and social media, is rapidly transforming the way we buy and sell products online.

Social commerce refers to the process of buying and selling products directly through social media platforms.

Unlike traditional e-commerce, where customers are redirected to an online store to complete their purchase, social commerce allows customers to complete their transaction without leaving the social media app.

This seamless process is made possible by the integration of shopping features into social media platforms, such as Facebook Shops, Instagram Shopping, and Pinterest Shop.

Social commerce is not a new concept, with early examples dating back to the early 2000s. However, it’s only been in the last few years that social commerce has gained widespread attention and adoption, particularly in Asia.

In 2020, the social commerce market in Asia was valued at $360 billion, compared to a fraction of that in the United States.

However, this is expected to change, with social commerce projected to be one of the fastest-growing trends in the e-commerce industry over the next decade.

1. Advertising is Broken

One of the main reasons behind the rise of social commerce is the growing dissatisfaction with traditional advertising channels. Brands have traditionally relied on advertising on social media to reach new customers and drive sales.

However, with increasing privacy concerns and ad-blockers, the effectiveness of traditional advertising channels is diminishing. As a result, brands are looking for alternative ways to reach customers, and social commerce is emerging as a promising solution.

2. We Trust Our Friends

Another factor driving the growth of social commerce is the power of social influence. People have always relied on recommendations from friends and family when making purchasing decisions, and social media has amplified this influence.

According to a case study published by Impulse, 88% of people trust recommendations from friends more than influencers. Social commerce allows individuals to share their favorite products with their network, creating a ripple effect that can drive sales and build brand loyalty.

3. The Best Products Win

In the era of social commerce, the quality of products and customer experience is more important than ever before. With social media amplifying the power of word-of-mouth recommendations, brands are incentivized to invest in creating high-quality products that customers will love.

This shift from marketing to product-centricity has the potential to transform the e-commerce industry, putting the focus back on the customer and their needs.

1. Increased Reach and Engagement

One of the key benefits of social commerce for businesses is the increased reach and engagement that social media platforms provide. With billions of people using social media every day, businesses have the potential to reach a massive audience with their products and services.

By integrating shopping features into their social media profiles, businesses can also increase engagement and encourage customers to make purchases directly through their platform.

2. Better Customer Insights

Social commerce also provides businesses with valuable customer insights that can help them better understand their audience and improve their products and services.

Social media platforms offer a wealth of data on customer behavior, preferences, and interests, which businesses can use to optimize their marketing strategies and create targeted campaigns.

3. Lower Costs

Social commerce also has the potential to lower costs for businesses. By eliminating the need for a separate e-commerce platform, businesses can save on web development and hosting costs.

Additionally, social media advertising can be more cost-effective than traditional advertising channels, as businesses can target specific demographics and interests, rather than paying for broad exposure to a general audience.

1. Convenience

For consumers, the primary benefit of social commerce is convenience. With social commerce, customers can browse and purchase products directly within their favorite social media app, without the need to navigate to a separate website.

This streamlined process saves time and eliminates the need to remember login credentials for multiple e-commerce platforms.

2. Personalized Recommendations

Social commerce also offers personalized product recommendations based on a customer’s interests and preferences. By analyzing a customer’s behavior on social media, algorithms can recommend products that are likely to appeal to them, making the shopping experience more enjoyable and efficient.

Finally, social commerce offers social proof in the form of reviews and recommendations from friends and family. Customers can easily see what their network is buying and recommending, which can help them make more informed purchasing decisions and feel more confident in their choices.