5 Strategies to Integrate Social Media Marketing with Your Website
Social media marketing is an inescapable phrase in the business world today. The more you engage with your audience, the more likely you are to bring new people to your front door. The question is – how do you attract new audience members in the first place?
Social media marketing holds a strong place in inbound marketing. That is to say, it helps relevant customers find you, rather than forcing you to cast a wide net to everyone in hopes that someone will bite (that’s outbound marketing.)
If you’re looking for a few ways you can integrate social media marketing into your website, check out these tips:
1. Use Your Social Share & Follow Buttons
You may have become so accustomed to seeing the little bird and the lowercase “f”, that you might not even realize how important they are. Those notable little icons are social share buttons, and they’re the lifeblood of many inbound marketing strategies.
At the simple click of a button, you can boost your brand awareness while simultaneously enhancing the user experience of your visitors. If you had something great to say (which is imperative, given the importance of fresh, valuable content,) it pays to have easy-to-click buttons your audience can use to spread the word.
Social ‘follow’ buttons are also important, as they bring people into your database so you can more thoroughly engage with them in the future.
Be mindful, however, that too many social buttons can be a pitfall. You only want to advertise platforms on which your business is active. Facebook and Twitter are foundational platforms. Don’t build out a plethora of buttons if you have no social media presence on other sites.
2. Embed Videos
Content is no longer solely about the written word; it’s about value – in whatever form that may take. Videos offer you an awesome chance to reach out to your audience and talk to them one-on-one like never before.
Consider embedding how-to videos, staff introductions, happenings around the office, and anything else that will engage viewers on a deeper level. By default, a great video should be something people want to share with their circle of friends, so the more social-friendly your design is, the more audience members you’re likely to attract.
3. Hone in on Social Media Feeds
Instagram has made major strides in the social media world. This site has the power to humanize homepages and boost brand awareness, removing the formerly-acceptable sales pitch in lieu of real-life events and emotions.
If you’ve taken hold of the Instagram phenomenon, it can really pay off to integrate your photos into your website design. Bear in mind, however, that you’ll want to steer clear of selfies and photos that don’t support your brand. If you find yourself unable to avoid posting photos that aren’t worthy of your homepage, consider creating a separate Instagram account that’s specifically dedicated to website duty.
4. Submerge Yourself in Social Proof
Once again, Instagram tends to take the award for social proof. Consumers have become bored of advertisements and in-your-face promotions. They prefer to see products in action before they make a purchase.
Social proof utilizes psychological triggers that play into buyer behavior. By integrating your consumers’ posts and images into your own web design, you’ll boost your brand’s credibility with consumers.
5. Include an Option for Social Logins
Social logins provide benefits two-fold.
First, they optimize users’ experiences by providing a convenient way to browse, buy, or sign up without creating a new account every time they land on a previously-unexplored website.
Second, they make it easy for people to comment on your blog and social media sites, thus enhancing interaction and engagement.
At Sheffield Media Group, we understand the importance of making a great impression on the worldwide audience. If you enjoyed this blog, please share, comment, “like”, or tweet about it!