Social commerce is booming—are you ready to cash in?
From discovering products in Instagram Reels to buying them directly through TikTok Shop, social commerce is changing the way consumers interact with brands. This fusion of entertainment, community, and convenience is not just a trend—it’s the future of ecommerce. By 2028, the global social commerce market is projected to exceed $1 trillion in sales.
If you’re an ecommerce brand or small business owner looking to increase online sales, it’s time to understand how social commerce and emerging platforms can drive serious revenue growth.
What is Social Shopping?
Social shopping, also known as social commerce, is the intersection of ecommerce and social media. It enables users to discover, engage with, and purchase products directly within social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest—without the need to switch apps or visit a separate website.
Unlike traditional ecommerce, where users are typically directed to an external site to complete a purchase, social shopping allows the entire shopping journey—from discovery to checkout—to happen inside the social app. This creates a faster, more convenient, and often more enjoyable experience, especially for mobile users who prefer quick and seamless interactions.
At its core, social shopping transforms social media from a place of inspiration and content consumption into an interactive marketplace. It encourages a community-driven shopping experience, where product recommendations come from people you follow, trust, or relate to.
Key Features of Social Commerce
- In-app purchases: Users can shop directly within the platform using product tags, embedded storefronts, or native checkout features, reducing friction and speeding up conversions.
- Real-time brand interactions: Shoppers can engage with brands and creators through comments, messages, live streams, and stories—turning passive browsing into active engagement.
- User-generated content: Social shopping thrives on authenticity. Reviews, unboxings, try-on videos, and product hauls shared by real users help build trust and influence buying decisions.
- Influencer and affiliate integration: Influencers play a powerful role in driving sales. Their product recommendations and affiliate links not only add credibility but also expand the reach of brands through relatable, personalized content.
As social platforms continue to prioritize commerce features, social shopping is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a must-have strategy for modern brands looking to stay relevant and competitive in the digital space.
Why Social Commerce Is Essential for E-commerce Growth
With over 4.8 billion social media users globally, brands that ignore social commerce risk missing out on valuable sales opportunities. Here’s why social commerce should be a key pillar of your ecommerce strategy:
1. Increased Brand Visibility
Social platforms are discovery engines. A strong presence means higher chances of your products being seen, saved, and shared—organically or through paid campaigns.
2. Higher Conversion Rates
Reducing friction in the buyer journey (like switching from app to website) increases conversions. Instagram Shops and TikTok Shopping make impulse buys easier than ever.
3. Stronger Customer Engagement
From comments to DMs to live shopping chats, real-time interaction boosts loyalty and builds relationships with your audience.
4. User-Generated Content Builds Trust
Seeing real people share your product = instant social proof. Reviews, testimonials, and tagged photos drive purchase decisions more than polished ads ever could.
5. Powerful Influencer Marketing
Partnering with content creators gives your brand instant credibility and access to niche communities that are ready to shop.
How to Use Social Commerce to Drive Sales
If you want to increase your online sales and reach more customers, social commerce is one of the best strategies to focus on right now. Social commerce merges ecommerce with social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest, making it easier than ever for customers to discover, engage with, and purchase products directly from their favorite apps.
To help you leverage social commerce effectively and drive more sales, here are six actionable tips to grow your ecommerce business through social shopping.
1. Set Up Instagram and Facebook Shops
Creating a Facebook Shop and Instagram Shopping experience allows you to showcase your product catalog directly within these platforms. By syncing your inventory and tagging products in posts, Stories, and Reels, potential customers can easily browse and buy without ever leaving the app.
This seamless shopping experience reduces friction and improves conversion rates on mobile devices.
2. Utilize TikTok Shop and Creator Marketplace
TikTok has quickly become a dominant force in social commerce. Using TikTok Shop enables you to sell products through native videos, while the TikTok Creator Marketplace helps you connect with influencers to promote your brand authentically. Leveraging TikTok’s engaging video content style increases brand visibility and drives sales through trusted recommendations.
3. Encourage User-Generated Content to Boost Trust
User-generated content (UGC) such as customer reviews, unboxing videos, and product photos significantly increase trust and social proof. Encourage your customers to share their experiences by tagging your brand or using a branded hashtag. Featuring this content on your social media profiles and website can drive higher engagement and improve purchase intent.
4. Host Shoppable Live Streams to Engage Customers
Live shopping events are rapidly growing in popularity. Platforms like Instagram Live, YouTube Live, and TikTok Live offer real-time interaction where you can demonstrate products, answer questions, and create urgency with limited-time offers. Live streams provide an interactive, immersive shopping experience that can boost impulse purchases and customer loyalty.
5. Use Retargeting Ads to Recover Lost Sales
Many shoppers visit product pages but don’t complete their purchases immediately. Implementing retargeting ads on social platforms like Facebook and TikTok helps remind these potential customers about products they showed interest in. Using tools such as Facebook Pixel or TikTok Pixel allows you to create highly targeted ad campaigns, increasing your chances of recovering abandoned carts and boosting sales.
6. Partner with Influencers to Expand Your Reach
Influencer marketing remains a powerful tool within social commerce. Collaborate with both micro and macro influencers who align with your target audience to promote your products authentically. Influencer endorsements generate trust and expand your brand’s reach. Platforms like Grapevine, Upfluence, and TikTok Creator Marketplace can help you find and manage influencer partnerships efficiently.
Best Practices for Social Shopping Success
Implementing a strategy is one thing—doing it effectively is another. Here are key tips to help you dominate your niche through social commerce:
- Be consistent: Post regularly and maintain a strong brand voice.
- Optimize visuals: High-quality product photos and videos stop the scroll.
- Make checkout seamless: Use built-in checkout options or clearly link your store.
- Track performance: Use analytics tools to see what content drives clicks and conversions.
- Test and iterate: Try different formats—carousel posts, video reviews, influencer shoutouts—to see what resonates best.
- Be customer-centric: Answer DMs quickly, reply to comments, and show up where your audience hangs out.
Emerging Platforms to Watch
Beyond Instagram and Facebook, keep an eye on these rising social commerce players:
- TikTok – Short-form videos drive discovery and purchases.
- Pinterest – A visual search engine perfect for lifestyle and product inspiration.
- YouTube Shorts – Product reviews, tutorials, and hauls generate interest fast.
- WhatsApp Business – Useful for personalized shopping experiences and direct sales.
Tools That Can Supercharge Your Social Commerce Strategy
To streamline your efforts, consider integrating ecommerce and marketing tools that connect with social platforms.
Mailchimp, for example, offers:
- Seamless integration with Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok
- Automation tools for email + retargeting campaigns
- Customer segmentation and audience insights
- Social media scheduling and ad management
With the right tools, you’ll be able to manage your audience, run targeted campaigns, and track performance—all in one place.
Start Selling Where Your Audience Scrolls
Social commerce is more than a buzzword—it’s a proven sales channel that merges community, content, and commerce. Whether you’re a DTC brand, small business, or ecommerce startup, now’s the time to lean into this dynamic space.
Tap into social shopping today, and turn passive followers into active customers. From setting up shoppable posts to running influencer campaigns and live events, your brand has endless opportunities to connect and convert.
At DigiXL Media, we craft high-impact retargeting campaigns tailored to your business goals. Our expert team helps you:
- Build effective strategies
- Optimize ad performance
- Measure and maximize ROI with responsive search ads
Whether you’re selling on TikTok Shop, Instagram, or Facebook, we ensure your brand stays top of mind and drives conversions.
Want to elevate your content strategy and master retargeting ads?
Join our community on X, LinkedIn & Facebook for expert tips, insights, and the latest in social commerce trends.
Let’s connect and grow your brand together.
