10 Social Commerce Trends To Look Out For In 2024 (+ Examples)
Falling behind in social commerce trends means losing business. We’re giving you 10 must-know trends to stay ahead of the competition in 2024.
Posted 1 month ago
Written by
Mackenzie TaylorPosted 1 month ago
Falling behind in social commerce trends means losing business. This article covers 10 must-know trends to safeguard your sales, stay ahead of the competition, and dominate the market this year.
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, we got you covered with actionable insights and real-world examples. With over 30% of online shoppers making purchases through social media, understanding these trends is more critical than ever.
Let’s dive into it.
Jump to a section ✨
- 1. Influencer Collaborations
- 2. Video Content
- 3. Social Shopping Events
- 4. AI-Powered Customer Support Solution
- 5. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Option
- 6. User-Generated Content
- 7. Sustainable Shopping Trend
- Strategies For Embracing Sustainable Shopping
- 8. Direct Messages
- 9. Focus On First-Party Data Collection
- Strategies For First-Party Data Collection
- 10. AI-Powered Product Recommendations
2024’s Top 10 Social Commerce Trends (With Real Examples)
Social commerce adoption is expected to grow by $1.2 trillion in 2025. Here are the trends and real examples to inspire your next big move in the social commerce market.
1. Influencer Collaborations
33% of the Gen Zs bought a product from influencer-founded brands in 2023. This means that the right influencer collaboration will open your brand up to new audiences. Leverage this to tap into existing communities and drive engagement in ways traditional advertising cannot.
82% of consumers trust influencers’ recommendations. They perceive micro-influencers, those with 10,000 to 100,000 followers, as more relatable and trustworthy compared to celebrities and mega-influencers. They can introduce your brand to new, niche audiences.
An excellent example of this is Going, an app for finding cheap flight tickets. They collaborate with micro-influencers in the budget travel niche. When the micro-influencers share personal experiences and tips, it resonates more deeply with their followers compared to branded content. This personal touch boosts Going’s marketing efforts and fosters genuine connections with potential users.
Here are 2 key strategies for effective influencer collaborations:
1.1 Find the Best-Matched Influencer
Look beyond their follower count. Check their engagement rates, audience demographics, and the tone of their content using Social Blade, Hootsuite, or Sprout Social.
These tools will help you identify influencers whose audience aligns with your target demographic and whose content resonates with your brand values. This approach ensures a more natural, story-driven marketing of your products.
Follow the 4 steps to identify the right influencer for your brand:
- Evaluate influencer communication style for brand alignment.
- Consider influencer niche expertise for relevant product promotion.
- Review influencer performance metrics for past campaign success.
- Verify influencer audience authenticity to avoid fake follower counts.
1.2 Engage With Influencers In Your Niche
Interact with potential influencers and leave thoughtful comments on their posts. Show your interest and appreciation for their work. You can compliment their photography skills or express genuine curiosity about their experiences.
For example, if an influencer shares a travel photo, you could comment, “Wow, your photography always transports me to another world! Where was this breathtaking shot taken?”
This initial interaction can provide valuable insights into their responsiveness. You’ll also gauge interest in potential collaborations.
2. Video Content
Videos are shared 1200% more than text and images combined. Consider the following strategies to create diverse video content on your social commerce platforms:
2.1 Product Demos
Whether you’re showing off the latest gadget, demonstrating skincare transformations, or highlighting wellness products. No matter the niche, these demos can help simplify complex products and showcase tangible value.
2.2 Behind-The-Scenes
Share glimpses of your brand’s behind-the-scenes. This could include the making of a product, daily office life, or the packing process. This humanizes your brand and builds trust.
Here’s a prime example of behind-the-scenes content done right: Sandy’s Donuts recently shared a sneak peek on Instagram of their coffee workshop. They collaborated with a barista professional from Stumbeano’s Coffee Roasters to boost their coffee experience.
2.3 Customer Testimonials
92% of consumers trust recommendations from other people over branded content. Feature real customers sharing their experiences with your product.
2.4 How-To Videos
How-to videos receive 300% more traffic compared to other types of content on social media platforms. Make educational content that shows viewers how to use your product. Show problem-solving related to your niche to position your brand as a helpful authority.
Different social media platforms favor different video formats and lengths. For instance:
- Instagram Reels & TikTok: Thrive on short, engaging videos that are often less than a minute. These social platforms are perfect for quick demos, product highlights, or challenges.
- YouTube: Longer-form content suits this social media platform. Use it for in-depth product reviews, tutorials, or extended customer stories.
- Facebook: Offers flexibility in video length. This makes it ideal for a mix of short and medium-length content like product announcements or live Q&A sessions.
3. Social Shopping Events
Live commerce will reach $35 billion in the US alone. It’s the right time to host shopping events on social media apps. They create a buzz, foster community, and drive sales in real time.
Capitalize on social media’s interactive nature. It turns shopping into an engaging and communal experience. 1/3 of US social media users buy through social media platforms. If you want to tap into the power of social shopping events, consider the following strategies:
3.1 Tease The Event
Use your social media channels to build anticipation for the event. Share sneak peeks of the products, special guests, or exclusive deals. This will pique your audience’s interest.
Here’s a social shopping event teaser that generates anticipation. It highlights the presence of the CEO, Susie Ma, which adds a personal touch and credibility. It also promises exclusive insights and never-seen-before products that create a sense of excitement and urgency. It compels viewers to save the date and participate in the event.
3.2 Engage In Real-Time
Encourage viewers to ask questions, share their thoughts, and interact during the event to keep viewers invested.
3.3 Incentivize Participation
Offer special discounts, giveaways, or early access to products for participants. These incentives will drive immediate sales and reward engagement.
4. AI-Powered Customer Support Solution
4.1 Chatbots & Virtual Assistants
These AI-driven programs can understand and respond to customer queries in real time. It provides immediate help for common issues. They are programmed to learn from interactions, improving their responses over time.
4.2 Machine Learning
This aspect of AI analyzes data from past interactions to identify patterns. It also predicts customer needs and personalizes interactions. Machine Learning models help in anticipating customer issues to offer solutions even before the customer reaches out.
Here are 5 key benefits of AI-powered Customer Service:
- 24/7 Availability: AI systems don’t need breaks or sleep. This ensures digital buyers receive support whenever they need it.
- Increased Efficiency: AI handles routine customer inquiries. This helps customer service agents to focus on more complex issues.
- Scalability: AI-powered solutions can handle a large volume of inquiries. It makes it easier to scale your customer service operations. That without a proportional increase in human resources.
- Personalized Experience: AI can analyze a customer’s interaction history. That’s how it provides tailored responses and recommendations.
- Reduced Response Times: Automated responses to common queries mean customers get faster answers. It reduces wait times and improves the service experience.
While AI-powered customer service offers many benefits, it also presents challenges. The challenge lies in the complexity of language, as AI systems must accurately interpret nuances in dialects and languages to provide relevant responses. Plus, it’s tough to keep customer information private amidst the exchange of sensitive information.
Train your AI systems on new data. Make sure to watch AI performance to ensure accuracy and empathy in responses.
5. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Option
As 40% of American consumers use BNPL services, it’s clear that this payment option is gaining traction. The BNPL market will grow over $565.8 billion by 2026, representing a significant part of eCommerce transactions. Online businesses offering BNPL options report up to a 30% increase in conversion rates. It’s the right time to leverage BNPL into your social commerce business.
The BNPL model divides the total cost into smaller, interest-free installments. Customers can pay installments over a specified period. All they have to do is select BNPL at checkout and buy their desired items right away.
With minimal credit requirements, BNPL services are accessible to a broader range of customers. This includes those with limited access to traditional credit.
An excellent example is this online bike store. Customers can buy a $517 bike and pay it off in 4 interest-free installments. It also allows paying $46 each month, without any extra fees. It reduces cart abandonment rates, as customers are more likely to complete purchases.
6. User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) receives 28% higher engagement rates than standard brand posts. This underscores the value of leveraging authentic customer experiences in marketing strategies.
Customer reviews enhance trust, engagement, and authenticity. UGC is more trustworthy compared to brand-generated content because customer stories and experiences resonate more with prospective buyers.
Here are 4 strategies to leverage UGC:
6.1 Host Contests & Challenges
Use social commerce platforms to run contests that encourage users to create and share content about your brand.
An outstanding example is the #SephoraChallenge on Instagram. They urge customers to share creative looks using Sephora products where winners get beauty gift sets in return. It’s a fun way for customers to interact and win prizes.
6.2 Feature User Content On Your Platforms
Feature user-generated content prominently on your social media channels and website when promoting new products. Incorporate UGC into your posts, stories, and product pages to provide social proof. This rewards users for their contributions. It also encourages others to share their content.
6.3 Use Hashtags To Collect UGC
Create and promote a unique hashtag about your brand or a specific campaign so it’s easier to track and share user-generated content. One great example is Coca-Cola’s #ShareACoke campaign. Coca-Cola encouraged customers to share photos with personalized Coke bottles.
This hashtag garnered over 614,290 photos shared on Instagram alone, demonstrating how effective it is in engaging consumers. To create impactful hashtags like this, include your brand name, product name, or a catchy slogan. Make sure your hashtag is relevant to your campaign or brand identity.
6.4 Engage With User Content
Like, comment, and share UGCs made for your brand. This recognition can motivate further participation and content creation.
A great example is this Instagram post by @memorieswiththemulkeys_, donning a Halloween costume from 3Wishes. She tagged the brand and expressed newfound body confidence after a significant weight loss. The post garnered over 1000+ likes and 100+ comments, showcasing the power of authenticity and relatability in social media interactions.
It promotes 3Wishes through personal testimony and hashtags. The brand, in turn, will like the post, respond to comments, and feature it on their feed.
7. Sustainable Shopping Trend
Brands that commit to sustainable practices attract consumers who focus on environmental and social values.
Strategies For Embracing Sustainable Shopping
- Reduce the use of plastic materials in packaging.
- Use minimal, recycled, or compostable packaging solutions.
- Opt for certifications like Fair Trade or Organic to help confirm claims.
- Provide clear information about the sourcing and manufacturing of products.
- Develop products that are durable, repairable, and made from sustainable materials.
Patagonia’s Worn Wear Program is worth mentioning here. The program encourages customers to trade in used gear for store credit. The worn wear is then repaired and resold, promoting a circular economy. The program’s ReCrafted collection saw a surge in sales, showing an increased consumer interest in sustainable fashion.
8. Direct Messages
Social media platforms like Instagram enable transactions through DMs. Customers can place and track orders directly through messages without leaving the platform. This simplifies the buying process.
DMs offer a private and secure communication channel. Especially for inquiries or issues that need sharing sensitive information like order details or personal data.
Let’s say you’re a telemedicine pharmacist. Your potential customer wants to buy tech gear like this wearable alerts for the elderly. You engage with the customer via Direct Messages. You provide them with personalized recommendations. You enhance their online shopping experience, making it personal, informative, and secure. This approach enhances customer trust and satisfaction.
9. Focus On First-Party Data Collection
Almost 40% of shoppers hesitate to shop on social media because of concerns about handling personal data. 71% of consumers are more likely to trust companies that explain how they’re using their data. With major players like Google planning to phase out third-party cookies, brands can no longer rely on these methods for tracking user behavior.
However, many consumers are still willing to share their data with brands they trust. Especially if they see a benefit like personalized experiences or exclusive offers. This way, brands can collect insights from their target audience.
Strategies For First-Party Data Collection
- Provide exclusive content or products in exchange for user data.
- Offer personalized rewards for filling out detailed customer surveys.
- Use quizzes and polls to collect preferences and interests.
- Leverage feedback forms on your website and social media platforms.
- Host events or webinars that need registration, capturing attendee data.
- Create interactive, personalized marketing campaigns that need user input.
- Encourage sign-ups for loyalty programs in exchange for profile information.
- Leverage social media “ask” features to gather direct insights from followers.
10. AI-Powered Product Recommendations
Personalizing shopping experiences with AI can increase sales by 10-30%. Over 80% of shoppers say they’re more likely to buy from brands that get personal this way. When internet users shop online or scroll through social media, AI tech analyzes what they like, click on, and buy. Then, they show the products that match their taste.
They work like Google Ads, using algorithms to analyze user behavior. For consumers, they provide a more personalized and satisfying shopping experience. Brands offer a way to increase retail social commerce sales and gain deeper customer insights to build stronger relationships with their audience.
Conclusion
Your Social success depends on keeping up with the latest social commerce trends. These 10 trends are your ticket to get noticed and boost your sales.
Are you ready to stand out on social media? Imagine having the power to manage copywriting, and scheduling, discover the perfect hashtags, and dive deep into analytics—all in one place. That’s where Flick comes in. With our AI-powered platform, you can handle every aspect of your social media strategy.
From crafting compelling content to tracking your success, Flick makes it easy. Try Flick for free today. The journey to transforming your online presence and boosting your sales starts now.
Author Bio:
Burkhard Berger is the founder of Novum™. He helps innovative B2B companies implement modern SEO strategies to scale their organic traffic to 1,000,000+ visitors per month. Curious about what your true traffic potential is?
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