Which Social Media Platform Is Best for My Business?

For many small businesses, it can be overwhelming to know what social media platforms are best for the business and what ones are worth the time. Especially with the amount of social media platforms that are currently out there and with new sites and platforms popping up regularly.

It’s important to remember, especially for a small business, you can’t be everywhere at once. Especially small or 1 person teams with little to no marketing budget, resources or time. This is why it’s vital to be strategic with what social media platforms to focus on and build a presence on.

One of the biggest changes to note with social media is that before, most platforms focused on one main function of the platform. So short news updates, photo sharing or recruitment. Now, the majority of platforms will offer a range of functions, shopping, live streaming and more.

The key to an effective digital strategy is choosing the best fit social media platforms for the business and focusing all efforts into these.

The main things to consider is the industry the business is in, the desired target audience, social goals and call to action and what content can be created for the business.

Below, we have put together the key information needed to help guide you with which social media platform is best for your business.

Choose Social Media Platforms That Your Target Audience Is Currently On

One of the first questions you should ask yourself when deciding what social media platform is best for my business is where is your audience?

It will be more beneficial and a better use of your time to grow and build your audience on a platform that your desired target audience is already actively using rather than trying to drive your audience to a new platform.

It’s also important to understand how your target audience is using the platform. Is it for inspiration? To network and join new communities? Shop and find new products? It is vital to research what type of accounts they follow and interact with and what influencers are popular.

Choose Social Media Platforms That Are Specific to Your Business and Content

When deciding on what social media platforms are best for your business, it’s important to be clear of your calls and which platforms will best match these.

For example, if one of your business goals is to connect with industry leaders and sell products B2B, then focusing on LinkedIn would be important. If you had a product you were trying to increase awareness of that could benefit from video tutorials, YouTube, Instagram reels and TikTok may be most beneficial.  

Focus Your Efforts on Selected Social Media Platforms

As a business, you do not need to be on all platforms at once. It can often be more of a hindrance than a help to have an account on all platforms but are not regularly updated and used. With this, we can run the risk of potential customers assuming the business is no longer active.

By picking a few platforms that align with your business goals and that your target audience are currently using, if the time and effort is put into them, the outcome will be a lot greater that neglected accounts across all platforms.

1. Video sharing platforms

Examples: Instagram stories and reels, Facebook reels and live, TikTok and YouTube

How your business can benefit from them: Social media platforms are pushing video content right now, resulting in a much higher reach and engagement. Videos are great for capturing attention, showcasing products and services and sharing easy tutorials to bring the business to life.

With all video content, there should be the goal of educating, inspiring or entertaining your audience in order to capture their attention. Being quick to use trending audio and content ideas can also boost brand awareness.

2. Shoppable social media posts

Examples: Facebook, Instagram and TikTok shop

How your business can benefit from them: Let your target audience purchase from you directly without having to leave the social media app

Shoppable social media posts have really taken off recently, with platforms making it easy to both advertise products and purchase. Even if the audience doesn’t buy from social media platforms, it allows you to add product information, images and direct traffic to your website.

TikTok has become popular for businesses to advertise special prices for just that platform to both increase sales and bring their audience over to TikTok.

3. Discussion forums

Examples: Twitter, LinkedIn, Reddit

How your business can benefit from them: Provide genuine help and information to customers and target audience by answering questions and getting involved in conversations. Great for networking and forming communities.

LinkedIn and Twitter are two great platforms for networking and creating connections. It’s important to note, on Reddit, it’s not good practice to include self-promotion into answers. This platform would be used more to provide information.

4. Disappearing content

Examples: Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn stories, Snapchat

How your business can benefit from them: These are great for posting behind the scenes and in the moment content to view for 24 hours.

Story content can feel a lot more genuine and less planned out. These are great for building trust with customers, sharing personality and sharing announcements and limited time deals. Good examples include sharing daily menus or deals.

5. Social media live streams

Examples: YouTube, Instagram and Facebook live, TikTok

How your business can benefit from them: Live streams are great for capturing your audiences attention and feeling more in the moment rather than planned out calculated content.

Live streams can include showcasing products, interviewing guests, sharing training and workshops and product reveals. Livestreams also offer the audience to interact live, so it’s important to monitor questions and comments and engage with these during the live stream.

6. Social media groups

Examples: Facebook groups

How your business can benefit from them: These can be used to create a community of like minded customers, they can share product information and tips, answer questions and inspire others. Discord can be a great platform for this, though self-promotion on the site is discouraged, so you’ll need to understand Discord advertising best practices to harness the full potential of the platform.

Many groups will require potential members to answer a few questions before joining the group, this can also be used to gather email addresses and ask anyone joining to opt-in to your email marketing list.

7. Inspirational social media platforms

Examples: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest

How your business can benefit from them: These can be used to inspire your desired target audience from anything from cooking, travel, shopping and decorating.

Create visuals and you can inspire your target audience with content around your product and services. Platforms like YouTube and Pinterest are well-optimised for search, so it’s important to include relevant hashtags, keywords and images that align with your audiences’ usual searches.

So whether your business goals are to build a like minded community, showcase new products or share expertise, there will be a social media platform that is best for your business.

Demystifying the Landscape: Understanding Your Target Audience

Choosing the right social media platform hinges on knowing your target audience inside and out. But demographics like age and location only scratch the surface. To truly connect and resonate, delve deeper into their psychographics, online behavior, and content preferences.

1. Beyond Demographics: Unveiling the Hidden Layers:

Demographics tell you who your audience is, but psychographics tell you why they tick. Explore:

• Values and interests: What motivates them? What are their passions and concerns?
• Lifestyle and personality: Are they adventurous or homebodies? Introverted or extroverted?
• Media consumption habits: What types of content do they consume? Where do they get their information?
• Technology usage: How do they use social media? What devices do they prefer?

Understanding these nuances allows you to tailor your content and approach to truly resonate with their unique perspectives and preferences.

2. Segmentation: Powering Precision Marketing:

Treating your entire audience as a homogenous group means missing out on valuable engagement opportunities. Segmentation allows you to divide your audience into smaller, more targeted groups based on shared characteristics. This enables:

• Personalized content: Create content specific to each segment’s interests and preferences.
• Targeted messaging: Craft messaging that resonates directly with each group’s needs and pain points.
• Increased engagement: Catered content leads to higher engagement and conversion rates.
• Optimized ad campaigns: Target ads to specific segments for maximized reach and relevance.

Tools like Facebook Audience Insights and Twitter Analytics allow you to segment based on demographics, interests, and online behavior.

3. Unveiling the Digital Footprint: Utilizing Research Tools:

Don’t guess; gather data and insights to understand your audience’s social media habits:

• Social listening tools: Brandwatch, Sprout Social, and Buzzsumo help you track online conversations, identify trends, and understand how your audience talks about your brand and competitors.
• Surveys and polls: Ask your audience directly about their social media preferences, content interests, and platform usage.
• Website analytics: Analyze which social media platforms drive the most traffic to your website and what content resonates best.
• Social media insights: Utilize native platform analytics like Facebook Insights and Twitter Analytics to understand demographics, engagement rates, and content performance within each platform.

By combining these tools and techniques, you can build a rich profile of your target audience, their social media behaviors, and the content they crave.

A Deep Dive into Social Media Platforms

The social media landscape is constantly evolving, offering a diverse range of platforms to connect with your target audience. Beyond the traditional giants like Facebook and Instagram, consider these emerging players and established veterans, each with unique strengths and potential:

1. Facebook: The granddaddy of them all, Facebook boasts a massive user base and diverse audience demographics. Ideal for:

• Brand awareness: Reach a broad audience through organic posts, paid advertising, and group interactions.
• Community building: Foster engaged communities through groups, discussions, and live events.
• Customer service: Provide support and address inquiries directly with customers.

Limitations: Organic reach can be limited, requiring paid advertising for wider visibility.

Success story: National Geographic uses Facebook to share stunning visuals, engage in educational discussions, and build a community of travel enthusiasts.

2. Instagram: A haven for visual storytelling, Instagram thrives on captivating photos, videos, and Stories. Ideal for:

• Product promotion: Showcase products with high-quality visuals and influencer collaborations.
• Building brand personality: Share behind-the-scenes glimpses and create a visually engaging brand identity.
• Driving engagement: Leverage interactive features like polls, stickers, and Stories to boost engagement.

Limitations: Limited text content and focus on short-form video might not suit all businesses.

Success story: Glossier’s Instagram is a masterclass in influencer marketing, user-generated content, and building a loyal beauty community.

3. Twitter: The real-time platform for bite-sized news, opinions, and conversations. Ideal for:

• Customer service: Respond to inquiries and provide real-time support in a public forum.
• Thought leadership: Share industry insights, engage in discussions, and establish brand expertise.
• Event promotion: Generate buzz and encourage participation in upcoming events.

Limitations: Character limit restricts content depth, and fast-paced nature can demand constant monitoring.

Success story: Starbucks leverages Twitter for customer service, brand storytelling, and engaging directly with customers in real-time.

4. LinkedIn: The professional networking platform, ideal for:

• B2B marketing: Connect with potential clients, showcase expertise, and build thought leadership.
• Recruitment: Advertise job openings, connect with potential candidates, and showcase company culture.
• Content marketing: Share industry-specific articles, reports, and insights to establish your brand as a thought leader.

Limitations: Organic reach can be limited, and content needs to be tailored to a professional audience.

Success story: Microsoft effectively uses LinkedIn to share career opportunities, industry insights, and thought leadership content, attracting top talent and building brand awareness.

5. TikTok: The short-form video king, TikTok caters to a predominantly Gen Z audience. Ideal for:

• Reaching a young demographic: Engage with potential customers who actively use and enjoy short-form video content.
• Trendjacking: Utilize trending sounds, challenges, and formats to gain visibility and reach.
• Creative storytelling: Showcase your brand personality and products in a fun and engaging way.

Limitations: Short attention spans require highly engaging content, and the platform might not be suitable for all industries.

Success story: Duolingo’s TikTok account uses humor, relatable content, and trending sounds to connect with a younger audience and promote their language learning app.

6. Pinterest: A visual discovery platform, Pinterest thrives on inspiration and planning. Ideal for:

• E-commerce businesses: Showcase products, create shoppable pins, and drive traffic to your website.
• Content creators: Share blog posts, infographics, and other visually appealing content to attract new readers.
• Visual inspiration: Inspire potential customers with curated boards showcasing products, trends, and lifestyle ideas.

Limitations: Requires consistent content creation and engagement to maintain visibility.

Success story: West Elm uses Pinterest to showcase home decor inspiration, curate shoppable boards, and connect with customers seeking design ideas.

Remember, the most effective platform is the one that aligns with your target audience, content strategy, and overall marketing goals. Experiment, track your results, and adapt your approach to find the perfect social media home for your business.

Choosing Your Champion: Key Factors to Consider

Selecting the right social media platform isn’t just about trends or hype; it’s about finding the one that aligns with your unique business goals and audience preferences. Here’s a deeper dive into the key factors to consider when choosing your champion:

1. Content Strategy Alignment:

• Strengths and formats: Analyze each platform’s strengths (visuals on Instagram, longer-form content on LinkedIn, etc.) and content formats they excel at (videos, live streams, polls, etc.).
• Audience preferences: Consider what type of content your target audience prefers and how they consume it on each platform.
• Content pillars: Map your core content pillars (e.g., educational, promotional, behind-the-scenes) to the platforms where they resonate best.
• Repurposing potential: Assess how easily content can be adapted or repurposed for different platforms to maximize efficiency.

Example: If you’re a travel agency targeting adventure seekers, Instagram with its visually stunning travel photos and stories might be a strong contender, while Facebook might be better for sharing detailed travel guides and itineraries.

2. Resource Allocation:

• Time commitment: Each platform demands different levels of time investment for content creation, community management, and engagement.
• Team expertise: Consider your team’s skills and experience in managing different platforms effectively.
• Outsourcing options: Explore outsourcing options for content creation, community management, or paid advertising if resources are limited.

Example: Managing an active Twitter community with real-time conversations requires more time and engagement than scheduling pre-written posts on Pinterest.

3. Budget Considerations:

• Organic reach: Understand that organic reach on most platforms is declining, requiring paid advertising for broader visibility.
• Paid advertising options: Each platform offers different ad formats, targeting options, and pricing structures.
• Budget allocation: Allocate your budget strategically based on your goals, target audience, and platform performance.

Example: Facebook offers detailed targeting options and cost-effective advertising, while reaching a younger audience on TikTok might require influencer collaborations or trendy video ads.

4. Integrations and Analytics:

• Integration with other marketing channels: Ensure the platform seamlessly integrates with your CRM, email marketing, and website for a unified customer experience.
• Analytics and reporting: Utilize native analytics and third-party tools to track key metrics like engagement, reach, and conversions for each platform.
• Data-driven insights: Use data to understand what’s working and what’s not, refine your strategy, and optimize your content and ad campaigns for better results.

Example: Connecting your Instagram account to your Facebook page for cross-posting and utilizing Facebook Insights to track campaign performance can streamline your social media management and provide valuable insights.

Remember: Choosing the right platform is an ongoing process. Experiment, track your results, and adapt your strategy based on data and audience feedback to ensure your social media efforts deliver maximum impact for your business.

Social Media Platform FAQ:

Q: I’m overwhelmed by all the options! Which platform should I choose first?

A: Start by understanding your target audience and their social media habits. Then, consider your marketing goals and choose a platform that aligns with both. Experimenting with a few platforms initially is okay, but focusing on mastering one before expanding is often more effective.

Q: Is it necessary to be on every platform?

A: Absolutely not! Spreading yourself too thin across multiple platforms can be detrimental. Focus on mastering the platforms where your target audience is most active and where you can create high-quality content consistently.

Q: How much time and resources do I need to dedicate to social media?

A: The amount of time and resources required depends on your platform choices, goals, and desired level of engagement. Start small, assess your results, and then adjust your strategy based on your capacity and impact.

Q: I’m on a tight budget. Can I still succeed on social media?

A: Absolutely! While paid advertising can be beneficial, organic reach is still achievable through high-quality content, strategic engagement, and community building. Utilize free tools and resources, and focus on creating valuable content that resonates with your audience.

Q: How often should I be posting on social media?

A: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Consistency is key, but quality matters more than quantity. Research recommended posting frequencies for your chosen platforms and tailor your schedule to your resources and audience engagement patterns.

Social Media Platform Conclusion:

Navigating the social media landscape can feel daunting, but remember, it’s a journey, not a destination. By understanding your target audience, aligning your chosen platforms with your goals, and creating high-quality content, you can build a successful social media presence for your business. Experiment, track your results, adapt your strategy, and most importantly, have fun and engage authentically with your audience!

Remember, social media is a powerful tool for connecting with potential customers, building brand awareness, and driving sales. By choosing the right platform, tailoring your content, and engaging strategically, you can unlock the full potential of social media for your business success. So, take the first step, dive into the exciting world of social media, and watch your business flourish!

For more information on the best social media platforms for your business, check out our services and YouTube channel.