It’s no secret the world is becoming increasingly more digital; there’s a pretty good chance you follow your favorite brands and businesses on social media. As years pass, more and more companies have joined the Facebook realm - and for good reason. Since Facebook’s launch in 2004, it has grown to almost 2.8 billion monthly active users; that’s more than any other social media platform. If you think that number seems big, Facebook has almost 1.84 billion users that visit the social networking site every single day. So you might ask yourself, “Does my business need Facebook?”
If the numbers just aren’t doing it for you and that’s not reason enough to create a Facebook business page, I’ll give you another one. Focusing on your target market and buyer persona is hugely important to bringing in more consumers. In fact, Facebook’s current demographic is largely people of 25-34 years and older which continues to be the largest growing demographic group on Facebook. When aiming to reach an aging demographic, Facebook is definitely where your business needs to be.
It also helps your business grow internationally. Only 10% of all Facebook users are from the United States and Canada. In addition, Facebook users are generally within the higher income bracket. These are buyers who are more likely and willing to pay for your product or service - what could be better than that?
So, let’s say those facts didn’t convince you completely that you should use Facebook for business. Here are some things to further consider when deciding if Facebook is right for you and your business...
Facebook offers the opportunity to directly engage with current and potential customers, which creates a stronger bond and loyalty between your business and its audience. Instagram and Twitter, which tend to be more image-based and faster-paced, might work in some aspects, but Facebook allows for a more interactive platform. This gives your business the opportunity to also take a more personalized approach when it comes to dealing with customer service issues.
With the use of the Facebook Page Insights tool, you can gain a better understanding of your customer base. It can help you understand the actions of customers on your page, including how often and with what customers interact with most. Understanding this can help your business to create a more specialized and unique space that directly resonates with your audience.
What business doesn’t want to save money? Facebook is an entirely free space to advertise and market your brand or business to potential consumers all over the world. Since 2016, 85% of US businesses have used Facebook as a marketing platform. In fact, two-thirds of Facebook users visit a local business page weekly. Mobile-friendly content is becoming the norm - people are more likely to interact with this type of digital advertising. This also includes spreading general information about your business to the public, at no cost.
3. Stay Up-to-Date with Trends and Current Events
Facebook allows you to stay up to date with current social trends and events through pictures and videos. When you include links to your business’s blog or include posts about current industry events or practices, this can also keep your consumers more engaged. This opens the door for your audience to offer up opinions and share comments on the topic, which gives you a better understanding of your buyer persona. Staying on top of current events and trends can be extremely beneficial no matter what industry or segment your business is.
As previously mentioned, Facebook’s fastest growing demographic is people of 65 years and older and their largest demographic overall is people 25-34 years of age. So let’s say, you’re not
As with any social media platform, it is crucial to keep a regular stream of content and be able to maintain the page properly. This includes responding to customer comments, posting dynamic content that engages your audience, and regularly updating the page. If you feel that your business may not be able to do this, whether it’s due to time constraints or other things, maybe Facebook isn’t right for your business.
3. Cost of Facebook Ads
While the cost of setting up your business’s account on Facebook is completely free, if you’re looking to advertise through Facebook specifically you may want to consider the price. To make the most of Facebook as a platform for your business, you need to actively promote your page to engage followers and bring in more potential customers. If you’re looking to gain exposure to a new audience, you may have to look into buying advertisements through Facebook, which aren’t always cheap. To give you an idea, ads can range anywhere from $5-$300. It all depends on how many people you’re trying to reach. The more people you want to reach, the more money you’ll have to pay. Even then, there is no guarantee that people will even look or click on your advertisement.
Ultimately, your business’s goals and your audience should make the decision of Facebook for business is right for you. But looking at all the facts, most businesses see great success when creating a Facebook business page. In fact, 18.3% of U.S. adults made a purchase through Facebook in the last year. Facebook for business proves to be an extremely effective and efficient way to get your business out there, and what’s the hurt in trying? That’s one of the best parts, it’s free.