FAQs
What is Social Commerce?
Social commerce refers to the direct purchase of products within social media platforms.
Unlike traditional social marketing, which directs traffic to an external website, social commerce integrates the checkout process directly into the social experience, for example, TikTok Shop.
This seamless "discovery-to-purchase" journey minimises friction, allowing brands to convert engagement directly into revenue.
How to Use Social Media for Ecommerce
A unified social commerce strategy that combines content, community, and commerce ensures effective results. Brands should leverage native storefronts to tag products in organic posts, utilise live shopping for real-time engagement, and deploy influencer marketing to build trust.
To maximise scale, these organic efforts must also be amplified by paid media and supported by robust backend fulfilment to ensure the delivery experience matches the speed of the digital transaction.
Types of Social Commerce
Social commerce platforms can take the form of several key formats:
- In-App Storefronts: dedicated product tabs within a brand’s profile
- Live Shopping: interactive, real-time selling events
- Shoppable Content: videos or images with embedded product tag
- Creator Commerce: affiliate-led sales where influencers drive transactions
Each of these formats leverages algorithmic discovery to reach high-intent audiences.