E-commerce – social networks facilitating online shopping activity
With countless markets and shops closing due to the spread of Covid-19, e-commerce purchases through mobile device or computer remains resilient. Online shopping has made the restrictive nature of the lockdown easier – when in just a few clicks, consumers can buy whatever they want, from the convenience of their own home.
In 2020, an estimated 1.8 billion people worldwide purchase goods online, while global e-retail sales amounted to 2.8 trillion dollars and predictions show a growth of up to 4.8 trillion dollars by 2021. 68 percent of shopping occasions begin online and nearly half shop more on mobile than in-store.
Undoubtedly, mobile shopping has increased significantly, with customers using their mobile devices for multiple shopping activities. The online shopping and purchase intention rates among online shoppers vary by product category such as clothing, shoes and consumer electronics which are considered the most popular online shopping categories worldwide.
Recently, Facebook announced the launch of Shops, a practical way for businesses to set up free storefronts on Facebook and Instagram. Shops are designed to turn the social network into a high-ranking shopping destination. Facebook also announced that it will be partnering with Shopify, BigCommerce, Woo, Channel Advisor, CedCommerce, Cafe24, Tienda Nube and Feedonomics. These third-party platforms will enable merchants to manage their Facebook Shops and ads for their online venture.
In addition, these online stores can be found on Facebook business pages and Instagram profiles, in stories or endorsed in ads. The items that can be purchased will appear in the shop whilst online customers can save items or place an order.
Mark Zuckerberg said, “Expanded e-commerce would be important to begin rebuilding the economy while the pandemic continues. “If you can’t physically open your store or restaurant, you can still take orders online and ship them to people. We’re seeing a lot of small businesses that never had online businesses get online for the first time.”
Shopify offers useful features that allow users to customize their Facebook store. Users can upload their catalog, select the items they want to sell on Facebook and update products.
The benefits of a Shopify Facebook store:
- Create an online store with fewer resources and in less time.
- Increase sales by putting your products where your consumers already are.
- Increase brand awareness.