As we ease into 2025, social media is no longer just for friends—it’s a marketplace where eCommerce businesses can succeed. Social media platforms can also inspire new eCommerce business ideas.
With 5.22 billion social media users worldwide, the opportunity to reach new customers, build brand loyalty, and increase sales is huge. But choosing the right platforms for your eCommerce brand makes all the difference.
This blog highlights the best social media platforms for eCommerce businesses—backed up by statistics—to help you make informed decisions.
Why Social Media Is Important for Business Growth
Social media is no longer just a space for connecting with friends and family—it’s become a powerful marketing tool, essential for business expansion.
With over 5.22 billion social media users worldwide, these platforms provide businesses with an unprecedented opportunity to connect with potential customers while building brand loyalty. Here’s why social media should be an integral part of your eCommerce business marketing strategy:
- Global reach and accessibility: With billions of active users, social media gives you access to an audience beyond your geographical boundaries. That fact is regardless of whether you’re a local boutique or a global brand. Almost 64% of the global population uses social media, and 77% of consumers are more likely to buy from a brand they follow on social media.
- Business information and communication: Consumers now go to social media to find out about brands, to research products, and to connect with businesses. Social media has become the hub for discovering new products and services. Statistic: On social media platforms, 72% of consumers expect businesses’ customer service teams to respond to queries within an hour.
- Increases brand awareness: Social media marketing allows you to increase brand visibility and awareness by talking to users directly. Your posts, ads, and campaigns—with the right strategy—can go viral and reach a bigger audience than traditional marketing methods. Statistic: 54% of users are more likely to buy from a brand after seeing its content on social media.
- Engages target audiences: Social media allows you to connect with highly targeted audiences based on their interests, demographics, and online behaviour. You can ensure your ads reach the most relevant customers—and increase conversions—by using precise targeting preferences. Statistic: 59% of Instagram users discover new products on the platform.
- Encourages customer loyalty: Social media helps build loyal communities by creating content, responding to queries, and sharing user-generated content. Building a relationship with your audience can lead to repeat customers and brand ambassadors. Statistics show that 71% of consumers are more likely to recommend a brand to others after a positive experience on social media.
A strong social media presence is crucial for driving revenue. Online stores with active engagement on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok can boost their marketing ROI.
Top Social Media Platforms for eCommerce Business
Not all social media channels are created equal—here’s a look at the best ones tailored to help eCommerce businesses thrive and drive sales.
1. Facebook
With nearly 3.07 billion active users, Facebook remains the largest social media platform, making it indispensable for any eCommerce business. Its highly targeted advertising capabilities allow businesses to reach specific demographics based on location, interests, and purchasing behaviour.
Facebook’s paid advertising campaigns are highly effective for eCommerce businesses. The corporation has leveraged its vast user base to enhance customer acquisition strategies through precise market segmentation techniques.
Facebook Shops enables businesses to set up an online store directly on the platform. At the same time, Marketplace provides an additional sales channel.
Noteworthy numbers:
- 77% of consumers say that branded social media posts influence their purchasing decisions.
- Facebook’s ads reach over 2.11 billion people.
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2. Instagram
Instagram, a social media giant, is a goldmine for eCommerce brands targeting younger audiences such as millennials and Gen Z. Instagram Shopping enables businesses to tag products directly in posts, Stories, and Reels, creating a seamless shopping experience. Instagram’s algorithm also prioritizes content that sparks engagement, which helps brands boost their visibility.
Noteworthy numbers:
- 81% of shoppers have used Instagram to find new products.
- Instagram boasts over 2.4 billion active users, with 90% following at least one business account.
- According to other data, Instagram advertising reaches almost 200 million people every day.
3. TikTok
TikTok has seen explosive growth in recent years, particularly after COVID-19. With over 1 billion active users, the platform’s short-form videos and viral challenges make it a powerful tool for eCommerce brands.
TikTok can help enlarge an online business through viral content, enabling brands to reach a wider audience and increase engagement.
TikTok’s algorithm, which favours entertaining and authentic content, allows small businesses to gain massive exposure. The same can be said for eCommerce businesses, which target particular audiences with shoppable videos to drive conversions directly on the app.
Noteworthy numbers:
- 55% of TikTok users have made a purchase after seeing a product on the platform.
- 52% of users say TikTok helps them discover products on the platform.
4. Pinterest
Pinterest is one of the most underrated social media platforms for eCommerce businesses, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. With 450 million monthly active users, Pinterest is a visual search engine that people turn to for inspiration. Nearly 85% of Pinterest members use the platform to plan purchases. 98% try new things based on what they find on Pinterest.
Online stores can use Pinterest to increase their revenue by showcasing their products and engaging with potential customers. This can lead to a tremendous boost in sales.
Noteworthy numbers:
- 61% of Pinners in the UK report that they have made a purchase from Pinterest pins.
5. LinkedIn
LinkedIn offers a highly targeted platform for B2B eCommerce businesses or those offering professional services. With over 1 billion users, it provides access to decision-makers, thought and industry leaders, and potential collaborators. It’s ideal for building trusted connections with other professionals while establishing long-term business relationships.
Unlike other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, which cater to broader demographics and user behaviours, LinkedIn is focused on professional networking. This characteristic makes LinkedIn valuable to businesses targeting professionals.
Noteworthy numbers:
- LinkedIn has over 1 billion professionals who network with others while sharing industry insights and important milestones.
6. YouTube
With over 2.7 billion monthly active users, YouTube is the second most-visited website globally, with Google Search being number 1. Video marketing—especially product demonstrations, unboxings, and tutorials—has been proven to increase customer trust and drive sales.
YouTube can help promote an eCommerce store by connecting it with potential customers through engaging video content that showcases products.
Businesses using YouTube can leverage its features to make it a valuable platform for eCommerce. These features include shoppable video ads and video descriptions containing links to products.
Choosing the Right Social Media Platform for Your Business
Social media is everywhere—nearly everyone uses it in some way, whether to stay connected, gather info, or shop online. For businesses, this is a huge opportunity to reach local customers. However, not all social media platforms will be a perfect match for an eCommerce business.
Social media can drive significant traffic to your own online store, amplifying your personal brand and direct sales channel. However, having your own online store can provide more control and specialization compared to using existing digital marketplaces.
Each business’s social media mix will be different, as each platform has diverse features and functionality for different content types and audience behaviours. For example, Instagram is visual first, so it’s perfect for product photos. LinkedIn is more suited to B2B audiences looking for professional networking.
Brands should consider the following factors—when choosing the right platforms—in order to get the most out of their efforts:
- Target audience: Where does your audience spend time online? Younger consumers use Instagram and TikTok, while older demographics use Facebook and Pinterest.
- Content type: Match the platform to your content’s strengths. If you’re good at video, then YouTube and TikTok should be your focus. If you’re good at articles and industry updates, then LinkedIn and Twitter are a better choice.
- Marketing goals: Align your choice with your goals. If direct sales are your priority, then platforms with shopping features like Instagram and Facebook are a must.
By considering these factors, you can create a balanced social media strategy that delivers results.
Measuring Success on Social Media
Social media marketing offers many measurable benefits for businesses, including brand visibility, website traffic, and customer loyalty. However, to maximize these benefits, businesses must track and measure their results regularly.
Measuring success on social media can also inspire new eCommerce business ideas by identifying trends and customer preferences that can be leveraged to create profitable ventures.
Marketers can use social media metrics to refine their strategy and make sure their efforts are working. Here are some key metrics to monitor:
- Audience demographics: Know the age, location, and interests of your followers so that your content is always relevant to the right people.
- Engagement rates: Likes, comments, shares, and saves show how well your audience interacts with your content.
- Conversion rates: How many users are clicking through to your website or completing desired actions like buying or signing up for a newsletter?
Conclusion
Choosing the right social media platform for your eCommerce business depends on your target audience and business goals. Each platform offers unique features that can help increase brand visibility, engagement, and sales.
Aligning your content strategy with the right platform can transform social media into a powerful sales channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right social media platform for my business?
Understanding your target audience and their preferences is a chief issue. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are ideal for younger consumers. At the same time, LinkedIn might be your best bet for a more professional audience.
Can I sell directly on social media platforms?
Yes! Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest allow you to sell directly through their shop features. This tool makes it easy for users to discover and purchase your products without leaving the social media platform.
For eCommerce businesses, this is particularly beneficial. An eCommerce business can now leverage social media to build communities while refining its strategies.
Why is a good domain name important for social media branding?
A memorable and relevant domain name helps with brand recognition and trust. It also makes it easier for customers to find your website through search engines or social media links.
