F-Commerce: Facebook meets Online Shopping
By Teija Stearns
That is not a typo. F-commerce is the new term being tossed around these days for the collision of Facebook with online shopping. Since the explosion of Facebook users, businesses have used Facebook to lure more fans with the use of coupon codes, promotions, and more recently Facebook shops. F-commerce is part of the "Social Commerce" wave that many businesses are turning to to amp up their marketing strategy. This post will focus on the benefits of Facebook shops and how you can get started selling on Facebook.
To learn more about HEROweb's Facebook Shopping Cart solution call us at 541-746-6418. Our solution allows you to start selling on Facebook with little effort on your part and streamlined integration with your website.
How is F-Commerce related to "Social Commerce"?
F-Commerce is a form of Social Commerce that is specific to Facebook. F-Commerce just scratches the surface of Social Commerce. Social Commerce refers to online purchases that involve user interaction and sharing through social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Group Deal sites, and others. You may already be participating in Social Commerce by offering your fans or followers special offers via Facebook, Twitter, or Foursquare.
Facebook Commerce Strategies
Facebook shops are the biggest growing component of Facebook Commerce. They allow businesses to sell items directly on Facebook by setting up a shop tab or application. Setting up a Facebook store in addition to maintaining your eCommerce website may seem overwhelming, but we have outlined several ways to get started.
Sell Directly on Page
This strategy can be implemented through either a tab on your profile or through a Facebook application. Users complete the transaction without leaving Facebook. Third-party services that offer Facebook shopping cart solutions with direct transactions include Payvment and Shop Tab. HEROweb's solution also uses the tab approach. Learn about it here.
To learn more about HEROweb's Facebook Shopping Cart solution call us at 541-746-6418. Our solution allows you to start selling on Facebook with little effort on your part and streamlined integration with your website.
How is F-Commerce related to "Social Commerce"?
F-Commerce is a form of Social Commerce that is specific to Facebook. F-Commerce just scratches the surface of Social Commerce. Social Commerce refers to online purchases that involve user interaction and sharing through social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Group Deal sites, and others. You may already be participating in Social Commerce by offering your fans or followers special offers via Facebook, Twitter, or Foursquare.
Facebook Commerce Strategies
Facebook shops are the biggest growing component of Facebook Commerce. They allow businesses to sell items directly on Facebook by setting up a shop tab or application. Setting up a Facebook store in addition to maintaining your eCommerce website may seem overwhelming, but we have outlined several ways to get started.
Sell Directly on Page
This strategy can be implemented through either a tab on your profile or through a Facebook application. Users complete the transaction without leaving Facebook. Third-party services that offer Facebook shopping cart solutions with direct transactions include Payvment and Shop Tab. HEROweb's solution also uses the tab approach. Learn about it here.
For the app approach view Growing Solutions or JCPenney.
Link to website where customers can buy.
This approach forwards the customer to your own website to complete their purchase. This is a good solution for driving traffic to your website, but users may not like being forwarded away from Facebook. A third party service that offers this solution is Storefront Social. Click here to view The Pond Outlet to see an example. Vans also forwards their customers to their website, but they let the customer complete most of the information within Facebook and then transfer them to the website for the final steps.
Another way to implement this strategy is to create a photo album with product pictures and put a link to the product page in the caption. Click here to view Uniquely Dodie's for an example of this.
Add Facebook functionality to your website's cart.
Rather than moving your business to Facebook, why not make Facebook work for you? Add Facebook sharing buttons to your product pages to encourage customers to share their finds with their friends. In post-purchase emails ask your customers to "like" your page on Facebook or share the product they purchased with friends. You may choose to implement Facebook Connect to give your shoppers a more personalized experience. Facebook Connect allows customers to log into your website using Facebook. It pulls information from the user's Facebook profile to return personalized results and show them their friends activities on the website. Amazon.com uses Facebook connect which you can try out by clicking here. Contact us for more information on how we can implement Facebook Connect for you.
Results
Facebook Commerce is still gaining momentum. Many consumers are still hesitant to make a purchase through this platform, especially if they don't have a trusting relationship with you, which is why it's essential to interact with your fans and build that trust. The majority of sales will still come from your website, but featuring your products on your Facebook Page will give your page a more professional and unique look. Using a Facebook shop will also allow you to showcase your products to Facebook users who may not have visited your website before.
Does this make sense for my business?
Implementing a Facebook shopping cart may not be realistic for your social media strategy right now. You should consider the following questions:
Link to website where customers can buy.
This approach forwards the customer to your own website to complete their purchase. This is a good solution for driving traffic to your website, but users may not like being forwarded away from Facebook. A third party service that offers this solution is Storefront Social. Click here to view The Pond Outlet to see an example. Vans also forwards their customers to their website, but they let the customer complete most of the information within Facebook and then transfer them to the website for the final steps.
Another way to implement this strategy is to create a photo album with product pictures and put a link to the product page in the caption. Click here to view Uniquely Dodie's for an example of this.
Add Facebook functionality to your website's cart.
Rather than moving your business to Facebook, why not make Facebook work for you? Add Facebook sharing buttons to your product pages to encourage customers to share their finds with their friends. In post-purchase emails ask your customers to "like" your page on Facebook or share the product they purchased with friends. You may choose to implement Facebook Connect to give your shoppers a more personalized experience. Facebook Connect allows customers to log into your website using Facebook. It pulls information from the user's Facebook profile to return personalized results and show them their friends activities on the website. Amazon.com uses Facebook connect which you can try out by clicking here. Contact us for more information on how we can implement Facebook Connect for you.
Results
Facebook Commerce is still gaining momentum. Many consumers are still hesitant to make a purchase through this platform, especially if they don't have a trusting relationship with you, which is why it's essential to interact with your fans and build that trust. The majority of sales will still come from your website, but featuring your products on your Facebook Page will give your page a more professional and unique look. Using a Facebook shop will also allow you to showcase your products to Facebook users who may not have visited your website before.
Does this make sense for my business?
Implementing a Facebook shopping cart may not be realistic for your social media strategy right now. You should consider the following questions:
How many engaged fans do I have?
If you have built a solid fan base (300-500 fans), that consistently comments, likes, and interacts with your Page, then a Facebook shop could be a welcome addition to your Page. If you are still working on building your fan base, then you may want to wait to implement a Facebook shop until you have your fan base established.
Do I have the time to manage my social media presence?
If you don't actively engage with your Page on a regular basis, you won't create the hype and interest that generates sales in a Facebook shop. If you are still struggling to find the time to post at least twice a week, you should focus on increasing your post output before opening a Facebook shop.
Do I have the budget to pay a firm to implement a custom Facebook shop or should I go for a free solution?
Some solutions are free, but others cost money. Would it be worth it to your business to pay for a Facebook shop that has a custom look and more advanced features or is an app like Payvment the most realistic option?
Would a Facebook shop appeal to my fan base?
Are your business goals conducive to a successful Facebook shop? What kind of business do you have? If your business offers services rather than products other social media strategies could be more successful (stay tuned for future articles on this topic).
The HEROweb Solution
HEROweb has developed a Facebook shopping cart solution that brings the power of MightyMerchant to your Facebook page. Our Facebook solution displays the products directly from your Site Manager, which means you will only have to manage one inventory. Your customers can complete their entire transaction on Facebook. Plus, your Facebook store gets a custom look that is consistent with your website. This is the best solution available for HEROweb/MightyMerchant customers to start selling on Facebook. To learn more call us at 541-746-6418.
If you have built a solid fan base (300-500 fans), that consistently comments, likes, and interacts with your Page, then a Facebook shop could be a welcome addition to your Page. If you are still working on building your fan base, then you may want to wait to implement a Facebook shop until you have your fan base established.
Do I have the time to manage my social media presence?
If you don't actively engage with your Page on a regular basis, you won't create the hype and interest that generates sales in a Facebook shop. If you are still struggling to find the time to post at least twice a week, you should focus on increasing your post output before opening a Facebook shop.
Do I have the budget to pay a firm to implement a custom Facebook shop or should I go for a free solution?
Some solutions are free, but others cost money. Would it be worth it to your business to pay for a Facebook shop that has a custom look and more advanced features or is an app like Payvment the most realistic option?
Would a Facebook shop appeal to my fan base?
Are your business goals conducive to a successful Facebook shop? What kind of business do you have? If your business offers services rather than products other social media strategies could be more successful (stay tuned for future articles on this topic).
The HEROweb Solution
HEROweb has developed a Facebook shopping cart solution that brings the power of MightyMerchant to your Facebook page. Our Facebook solution displays the products directly from your Site Manager, which means you will only have to manage one inventory. Your customers can complete their entire transaction on Facebook. Plus, your Facebook store gets a custom look that is consistent with your website. This is the best solution available for HEROweb/MightyMerchant customers to start selling on Facebook. To learn more call us at 541-746-6418.
