Online shopping is nothing new (thanks, eBay) but pre-pandemic, the idea of social commerce was a relatively new phenomenon. 

Instagram has steadily transitioned itself into a veritable one-stop online shop with its tap to shop and wishlist functions, and even sneakily swapping the new post button with a shopping tab. 

Meanwhile, Google Shopping ads have seemingly overnight begun popping up in our Gmail inboxes, and Facebook Marketplace is the new Gumtree.

Social media has transformed in recent years from a valuable satellite arm to the voice of a company, and in many instances, the one location for generating new business and converting prospects into customers.

Such is the power of social media that, according to Hootsuite, more people aged 16-24 will go to Instagram to research a brand than they will Google.

These shifts haven’t happened overnight. Plenty of factors come into play, the pandemic being one of them.

How has Covid spurred along social commerce?

Worldwide lockdowns and store closures forced brands - big and small - to pivot in order to survive, and thrive.

For online-first businesses, the widespread behavioural shift that came as a result of physically not being able to visit a store, meant plenty of new traffic and opportunities for growth.

Nearly two years on, social commerce is showing no signs of slowing down. eCommerce is second nature to consumers now, and social commerce is shaping up to be one of the most valuable strategies for brands.

So what do you do?

Optimise your social channels to create a seamless shopping experience. Use all the tools at your disposal, like Instagram Shopping, Link Stickers in your stories, and dynamic product marketing on Facebook Ads.

The best way to get traction in social commerce is to keep people on your profiles, so keep your content engaging and really communicate the value of your offering.

Ready to get started on your social commerce strategy for 2022? The Simply Social® App is your best tool for planning and tracking your outputs. Download it today.