Social Commerce: Trends, Stats, and Expert Tips Every Marketer Needs

More people are using social media daily, not just to chat but also to shop. Social commerce is growing rapidly as more people engage on these apps and sites. Many young buyers trust social media and influencers; 32% of Gen Z and 21% of Millennials purchase based on what influencers recommend. 

With this growing shift, it’s essential to understand how social commerce works and what strategies can help sellers reach more customers and boost sales. So, here’s a look at the key trends and tips that guide success in social commerce.

Understanding Social Commerce

Social commerce lets you sell products directly on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Customers can browse products, read reviews, select items, and complete their purchase, all within the same app. This makes shopping fast and easy without switching between apps. Partnering with influencers helps you reach more people and increase sales.

This method is especially useful for small sellers, helping them connect with larger audiences. Since many customers consider shopping on social media essential, having your products there is vital to growing your business and boosting sales. 

Here’s how it works:

• Brand Visibility: Introduce products through posts, stories, or by partnering with influencers. This helps customers find your products even if they aren’t actively looking.
• Engagement: Customers like, comment, share, or join contests and live events to interact with your brand.
• Personalised Offers: Use data from customer actions to send targeted discounts and offers that keep customers interested.
• Easy Checkout: Platforms provide smooth, one-click shopping with secure payments, so customers can buy quickly without leaving the app.
• After Purchase: Encourage customers to leave reviews and share photos or videos of your products. This user-generated content builds trust and promotes more buying.

Top Social Commerce Platforms to Watch

There are many social platforms where you can place your products. Here are the most popular social commerce platforms:

1. Facebook is one of the biggest online selling platforms. It has over 3 billion users. You can create a shop, list your products, and chat with customers through Messenger. Facebook helps you reach people based on age, location, and interests. 
2. Instagram works best for products that look good in photos or videos. You can tag products in posts and set up a shop on your profile. It’s great for fashion, beauty, and home items. Customers can message you directly, and the platform helps your products reach more people through posts, reels, and stories.
3. WhatsApp Business lets you connect with customers in a personal way. You can create a profile with your catalogue, answer questions, and take orders, all through chat. It’s simple and fast. You can also send updates to stay in touch with buyers and offer quick support.
4. Twitter (X) is best for quick updates and trending topics. It’s used more by people who like tech, news, and current events. You can share product links, post about offers, and more on your profile.

Key Advantages of Social Commerce

Beyond direct sales, Social Commerce offers many other benefits that can help you grow faster and connect better with your buyers:

1. Expand Your Reach: Most people use social media daily. Showing your products on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Pinterest helps more people see what you sell.
2. Streamlined Buying Experience: Customers can see your product and place an order without leaving the app. This makes shopping fast and easy.
3. Direct Customer Interaction: Buyers can ask questions or leave comments. You can reply quickly and build trust.
4. Use Influencer Power: Up to 69% of consumers trust influencer recommendations. When influencers show a product, followers notice.
5. Product Exposure: Social media shows products based on what buyers like. This helps the right people see your items and makes them more likely to buy again.
6. Build Trust with Reviews: When buyers share your product or leave reviews, others see it and trust your brand more.
7. Sell Straight from Posts: You can tag products in posts or videos. If someone likes it, they can tap and buy it right away.

Must-Know Social Commerce Stats for Marketers

Here are some important facts every marketer should know: 

1. Social Commerce is Growing Fast

Social media is becoming a big place for shopping. The global social commerce market grew 15.2% annually from 2021 to 2024 and is expected to grow 11.8% annually and reach USD 924.5 billion by 2025.

2. Live Chat Is Becoming Important

Many shoppers want to chat with brands while they shop. About 41% of online shoppers prefer live chat support. Brands can use apps like WhatsApp Business or Messenger to talk directly with customers, answer their questions, and help them make purchases.

3. Social Media Ads Are Effective

Advertising on social media is working well. Almost half of social media users (48%) have purchased after seeing an ad. This rises to 53% for millennials and 56% for women. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are seeing growth in ad revenue, indicating that these ads are reaching the right people.

4. Video Content Drives Sales

Videos help customers see products in action. About 89% of people say watching a video convinced them to buy a product. Platforms like Instagram Reels and Facebook Reels are popular for this. Creating short videos showing how your product works can encourage viewers to purchase.

5. Younger Generations Are Leading the Way

Millennials and Gen Z are the main social media shoppers. By 2025, Millennials are expected to make up 33% of social commerce spending, with Gen Z close behind at 29%. These younger shoppers are comfortable buying directly through social media platforms.

Real-Life Examples of Social Commerce Success

Here are some real-life examples:

1. Sephora: Sephora uses Instagram’s shoppable posts so people can check out products and buy directly from their feed. This smooth process makes shopping easier and has helped increase their sales by 20%.
2. Kylie Cosmetics: Kylie Cosmetics connects its social pages with Shopify. This helps customers browse and check out easily in one place, creating a fast and simple shopping experience.
3. Nike: Nike uses social media accounts to connect with different groups, like athletes, runners, or youth. This helps them create content that matches each group’s interests and builds stronger engagement.
4. H&M: H&M uses Facebook Shops to set up an online store on the platform. They show curated collections, use targeted ads, and give real-time support through Messenger, which resulted in a 25% boost in sales.
5. IKEA: IKEA hosts live shopping sessions where hosts present new products, give design tips, and chat with viewers. These events led to a 50% increase in engagement and helped grow sales during the stream.
6. Adidas: Adidas used Snapchat’s AR features to create virtual “try-on” experiences for shoes. Users could see how the boots looked on them, share them with friends, and buy directly, leading to a 25% increase in sales.
7. Microsoft: Microsoft uses LinkedIn to share helpful content, such as webinars and whitepapers. It also uses product pages and lead forms to collect buyer information. 
8. Starbucks: Starbucks lets customers order through WhatsApp by just sending a message. They also send personalised deals and quick replies. This led to a 15% rise in orders and improved the customer experience.
9. Sony: Sony uses Amazon Live to host product demos and answer customer questions during live streams. They also offer special deals during these events, leading to a 20% increase in sales from live sessions.

Shiprocket Checkout: The Key to Efficient and Easy Customer Checkouts

Selling online requires a smooth and quick checkout process. A simple checkout helps more customers complete their purchases. Shiprocket Checkout is designed to improve this experience. It speeds up checkout by auto-filling addresses, showing clear delivery dates, and offering secure logins. It brings back 25% more carts, cuts returns by 30%, and boosts sales by 60%. 

It speeds up checkout with auto-filled addresses, clear delivery dates, and secure logins. You can add discounts and freebies to carts. Using smart technology, Shiprocket Checkout analyses buyer behaviour, recovers abandoned carts, and supports business growth.

It also integrates smoothly with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento, offering easy setup and ongoing support.

Conclusion

Social commerce is changing how people shop online. More buyers now shop through social media, and the number is growing yearly. For sellers, it’s a simple way to reach more people and get more orders. It’s not about using every platform; it’s about finding what works best and making it easy for customers to buy.

Keeping it simple, quick, and clear can help grow sales and build trust. Taking help from platforms like Shiprocket Checkout is also a smart step for any seller looking to grow online. Embrace social commerce today to grow your business, and connect with your customers where they spend the most time i.e on social media.