Get a Facebook page!
Okay, so that's not so much a strategy, really more of a tactic. But research we released today clearly shows the value of a Facebook page to retailers. Among our key findings:
- Facebook is, by far, the best place to reach shoppers—both because it’s where they already are, and it’s where they want to hear from retailers.
- 56% of shoppers to top e-retail websites who interact with social media websites have elected to "friend" or "follow" or "subscribe" to a retailer on a social networking site like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
- Customers mainly interact with retailers on social media sites to learn about products and promotions (rather than for help or technical support)—a marketer’s dream come true.
- Half of the top 100 retailers have a lackluster or nonexistent social media presence. If you can't find a retailer's Facebook page by going to Facebook and searching for their name, or if they are a top 100 retailer and have fewer than 10,000 fans... they aren't maximizing the value of this marketing opportunity.
Your customers want to interact with you! Make sure you're giving them what they want and that they can find you. And make sure you understand the needs of YOUR customers rather than industry trends (you know, like the one we're reporting in this research), because we see huge differences in preference and satisfaction from one retailer to the next.