YouTube is currently one of the best-known, most used and most highly rated social networks. Thanks to its latest eCommerce-oriented innovations, it’s the perfect channel to boost your online store. Find out how!
According to the 4th Annual Social Media Study, published in January 2013, YouTube is the most used social network after Facebook. But that’s not all! It is also the highest-rated platform, scoring 8.3 out of 10.
Social networks have grasped the enormous importance of eCommerce, which is why many have changed their business model to tap into its potential. This translates into all kinds of apps and technological innovations that are highly beneficial for online stores.
The classic promotional benefits YouTube offered eCommerce are now joined by new interactive tools that can turn this video platform into a major online sales channel. Here’s everything you can do with YouTube’s eCommerce features to build your own online sales channel.
Create viral content
Virality, or users sharing promotional content on a massive scale, is a key part of social media marketing. If you create interesting content or offers, users will share them and help you reach new potential customers. However, how internet users will respond to promotional content is unpredictable. That’s why it isn’t advisable to rely on this strategy alone.
Post demo videos
Showing videos with usage examples is a very effective way to encourage purchases. Online shopping involves risk for customers, since they can’t examine the product before buying it. Demo videos make up for this, so it’s worth showing on YouTube what your product or service can do.
Add links in your videos to your online store
In 2012, this system made YouTube the second social network, after Facebook, from which Spaniards started the most online purchases, according to the 4th Annual Social Media Study. Users watch a video and click a link for more information. You’ll find an explanation of how to add links to YouTube videos here.
Use YouTube’s new eCommerce gadget
And here comes the big innovation! YouTube recently created a gadget that turns your company’s channel on this video network into a real online store. It’s still being tested, but with this option users can:
• View product information
• Compare prices across different stores
• Go to online stores that sell the product
YouTube’s eCommerce gadget is available to online stores under a paid license, but the sales boost it can bring many businesses makes it a really interesting option to add to your channel. Keep it in mind!
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