As we edge closer to October, stores are already rolling out Halloween deals, Thanksgiving is on the horizon, and before you know it, Christmas will be here!
For any e-commerce business, the holiday season is a mix of excitement and intense pressure to drive sales. But don’t worry—we’ve got your back! To ensure your holiday sales are a smashing success, we’re here to reveal how social commerce can take your brand to the next level. The key? Start preparing now!
We’ve teamed up with our Best Idea Marketing social media experts and platform partners to discover the hottest trends and optimizations you need to know for 2024. With this guide in hand, you’ll be ready to build your best social commerce strategy yet.
Plan Early, Win Big
Preparation is everything. Here’s how to get started:
1. Consumers are shopping earlier
With longer holiday promotions and extended shipping times, it’s essential to create excitement early—even months in advance. Build awareness and grow your remarketing audience well before the holiday rush kicks in.
2. Test your strategies ahead of time
Before the busy season hits, test your campaigns to gather actionable data. This allows you to refine your approach and strike a balance between proven tactics and cutting-edge strategies once peak season begins.
3. Ensure tracking is solid.
Double-check that all your tracking systems are set up before holiday campaigns launch. Tools like Meta’s Conversion API and Snapchat’s retargeting pixels can help you track performance with precision, giving you a clear picture of your ROI.
4. Expand across platforms.
Consumers are engaging with more platforms than ever before, and they often interact across multiple social channels during their shopping journey. Having a presence on various platforms, from TikTok to Pinterest, ensures you meet consumers wherever they are. Fun fact: TikTok’s largest audience is actually millennials, while more than half of Snapchat users are over 25! Every platform plays a role, so it’s crucial to craft a multi-platform strategy.
Tip: With Best Idea Marketing, you can monitor and optimize performance across all platforms in one streamlined dashboard. This allows for better cross-channel insights and maximizes your results.
Leveraging Social Commerce for Today’s Shopping Trends
To craft a winning strategy for 2024, it’s important to address three key trends reshaping the e-commerce landscape:
1. The Rise of Creators and Influencers
Creators and influencers have never been more influential in driving purchasing decisions. Shoppers trust the people they follow, making influencer marketing an authentic way for brands to reach new audiences.
– Video content is booming. Google reports that “Shop with Me” video uploads have skyrocketed by 60% in the past year, making YouTube an essential platform for influencer partnerships.
– Influencers spark discovery One-third of beauty shoppers on Meta platforms find new brands through creators, and 42% of TikTok users discover products through influencer videos.
TikTok, in particular, provides an exciting opportunity for brands to collaborate with influencers and boost content with paid media dollars. TikTok’s Live Shopping Ads are perfect for combining an influencer’s authentic voice with direct shopping opportunities, creating an easy path for consumers to discover and buy.
In fact, 74% of TikTok users say the platform helps them decide what to purchase, and 33% of Gen Z users either research or buy products recommended by creators.
2. On-Platform Shopping Made Seamless
In today’s fast-paced world, consumers expect quick and easy purchasing experiences—and social platforms are delivering. Innovations across major social channels have made the shopping journey more seamless than ever.
Meta continues to lead the charge in online product discovery, surpassing traditional e-commerce and search platforms. Features like Ads with Product Tags and Advantage+ Catalog Ads (formerly Dynamic Ads) allow businesses to turn casual browsing into purchases, right within Meta’s ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Instagram has introduced an in-app checkout feature, enabling users to purchase products without even leaving the platform. Fewer steps mean a smoother experience—and more conversions for your brand.
Let’s not forget YouTube. A staggering 70% of viewers have bought something after seeing it on the platform, making it a rising star for e-commerce. YouTube’s shoppable ads and connected TV placements make it easier than ever for brands to link product feeds to video content and drive immediate conversions.
3. The Future is Augmented Reality (AR)
AR is revolutionizing the online shopping experience, allowing consumers to virtually try products before buying. Two-thirds of online shoppers want to test products virtually, and 74% believe AR bridges the gap between online and in-store experiences.
Social platforms like Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat are heavily investing in AR features, especially in terms of shoppable AR experiences. Snapchat, for example, offers brands powerful AR tools and shoppable lenses that engage users in a unique and interactive way.
Snapchat AR users have a 94% higher conversion rate, and 81% of shoppers feel more confident in their purchase decisions after trying AR. With Snapchat’s easy-to-use AR Builder tool and no minimum spend, this is the perfect time to experiment with AR advertising and elevate your holiday marketing strategy.
Ready to Succeed this Holiday Season?
With the holiday season just around the corner, it’s time to refine your social media strategy and prepare for the busiest shopping months of the year. If you’re ready to implement powerful strategies and boost your sales, Best Idea Marketing is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about crafting impactful social commerce plans that drive results year-round.