By Gaurav Pradhan
Is it possible to buy something while being connected in Facebook and Twitter ?
Yes . Facebook and Twitter are trying to come up with this answer. Facebook is now trying to change our habits of “Like”ing to “Buy”ing. They are trying to test the new buy button with some small and medium sized business in U.S. This button is pretty much visible and accessible in the mobile version as well as desktop version of Facebook. The Buy button is getting featured along with the Sponsored NewsFeed Ads.
Twitter – The Early Bird
Twitter came up with #AmazonCart in May 2014, much earlier than Facebook’s Buy button. This allows Amazon’s Sponsored Tweets with product images and description. The followers can add the product to their online shopping carts by replying to those hashtag tweets. Purchase then can be completed on Amazon’s website platform. American Express and Starbucks are also featuring their own hashtag promotion tweets.
But still the question remains – How Successful can be Social Shopping ?
Facebook and Twitter runs on Social Media Networking. They have just the right amount of advertising which has not triggered User Dissatisfaction. It is feared that these platforms may get cluttered with ads, which may dilute the important values of these platforms – Social Networking and Affiliation.
Also, a strong secure system needs to be in place to keep the fraudster company out of these social commerce platforms. This can be a big challenge as the scale of users is quite high and keeping a track can be troublesome.
Definitely, this is a change to the traditional ways of shopping. Hope, this will get more eyeballs for the products.
At least as of now, we can expect many products knocking at our social space’s door.
(Author is a Management student of IIM Bangalore having an experience in Manufacturing Industry, Follow On Twitter @GauravToYou)
Also Read
Social Media on the Wrist: Smart Social Bracelet with Interchangeable Social Network Icons – Social Media Trend- https://www.socialmediatrend.in/technology/social-media-on-the-wrist/
Emojli: Now Chat with Emoji- Social Media Trend – https://www.socialmediatrend.in/users/emojli-now-chat-with-emoji/
The Buy Button – Facebook’s Next Big Thing – http://www.insidefacebook.com/2014/07/23/the-buy-button-facebooks-next-big-thing/
Will People ‘Buy’ on Facebook – Forbes – http://www.forbes.com/sites/retailwire/2014/07/23/will-people-buy-on-facebook/
