Social media has transformed the way in which we connect. Once created to bring people together, social media platforms are now being used by businesses to reach a wider audience. They provide a simple yet effective platform that businesses can take advantage of.

The idea behind it is that businesses can create an online store on both Facebook and Instagram. The process is simple but more importantly, it is extremely flexible. They have the opportunity to create catalogues and alter the look and feel so it aligns itself with their brand.

With all of this in mind, how can Facebook Shops transform a small business?

It Enables Small Businesses to Reach a Wider Audience

For many small businesses, they simply do not have the budget available to spend on social media marketing. Therefore, they commonly rely on word of mouth to attract new customers or small-scale marketing strategies whereby they might send out flyers or adverts. This will only reach so far but with billions of members, Facebook provides small businesses with the perfect platform to sell.

As soon as their shop is created, they can then begin sharing it and promoting it. All it takes is a handful of people to share and before you know it, the business might have reached hundreds or thousands of people in a matter of a few minutes or hours.

It’s a simple yet effective way of connecting with more people because the more people you reach, the more sales you are going to get.

It’s Free – Making It a Great Way to Grow

The great thing about Facebook Shops is that it is free to use. There are no costs involved with setting one up so any small business can use it. Commonly, small business owners are happy to keep their business small but that doesn’t mean that they won’t want to target as many people as possible. However, creating a website comes at a cost and even then, it can prove difficult for people to find it, meaning that small businesses can lose money. With Facebook Shops being free, small businesses have nothing to lose and it can help them to increase sales without the need to increase spend in other areas of the business.

It Creates A Professional Look

A small business, such as a small bakery might operate from a small unit on an industrial estate. Therefore, they might not look like a serious business, and so, it might rely on the same customers every day. Along with this, it might make the most amazing products but if people feel as though the business does not have the right appearance then they are not going to use them. Facebook Shops enables small businesses to instantly create a professional look. They can share their details, add products and images of their products, all of which cannot be seen from outside of the bakery should someone visit their premises.

Essentially, it is about meeting the expectations of consumers and they want to be able to see what businesses offer, even if they do operate from a low-key unit on a quiet industrial estate.

Also Read: Do Facebook Ads Work

Better Communications

Facebook Shops provides a greater level of reach to a wider audience but it also provides small businesses with the opportunity to connect with customers. Instead of taking orders by phone, they can receive messages, reply to comments and deal with queries with ease. It streamlines the entire process but it can help small businesses to create their own personality. Friendly, professional and prompt is what people expect and you can do all of that with ease through Facebook shops.

Manage Your Business From Anywhere

Whether you are someone who runs a shop from home or you have a physical shop, you can manage your shop from anywhere. The app will enable you to manage orders, update details, send out promotions and connect with people without needing to be sat in one place. Your phone or tablet can give you the freedom to work differently and that can help your business to become more efficient.

Increase Profits

There is no denying the fact that Facebook is hugely popular and people enjoy nothing more than shopping online. Therefore, as a business, it is beneficial to have a number of revenue streams to ensure you maximise your turnover and profits. So, through opening a Facebook Shop, it provides small businesses with access to a ready-made solution and opportunity.

It Provides Greater Opportunities

With a wider audience and the opportunity to increase earnings, business owners can offer much more. They can take advantage of discounts and promotions that they might not have been able to take advantage of previously. This enhances the value of the business and increases customer loyalty too.

They Can Showcase Their Business

A Facebook Shop enables business owners to create a real online store where they can add their products with clear images and descriptions. In doing this, it makes it simple for businesses to sell more products based on the visuals and information alone, enabling them to take a hands-off approach and placing more focus on other areas of their business.

Businesses Can Make Savings

Perhaps a business has been operating from a small property that generates very little income. However, they still have to pay business rates and rent. However, Facebook Shops enables them to remove these costs by moving online to save money while potentially increasing profits.

For any small business, it is about making the right moves at the right time in order to become a success. For many small business owners, they might have felt that making any kind of move was too much of a risk but now, Facebook Shops removes that risk. It provides a ready-made platform with a massive user-base and that means that there are customers ready and waiting. With fewer overheads and the ability to attract more customers, small businesses can benefit in many ways from all that Facebook Shops has to offer.