The TOP 10 Social Media Platforms for Your Business
Social media is a popular digital marketing channel. You can see that no matter how big or small businesses are, they will also have social media profiles. However, not every social media platform is suitable for every business. Let's learn about The TOP 10 Social Media Platforms for Your Business with SkillTrans in this article.
History of Social Media
In the 1960s, a system called PLATO was created by the University of Illinois and later sold by Control Data Corporation. It had features like early social media, messaging, chat rooms, and online newspapers.
ARPANET, which started in 1967, laid the groundwork for the Internet. In the late 1970s, it fostered cultural exchange and etiquette. Bulletin board systems (BBS) emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, evolving into forums when the Internet became widespread in the 1990s.
The rise of social media was fueled by advancements in digital imaging and semiconductors. The development of sensors in the 1980s and 1990s made digital cameras and camera phones common, contributing to the popularity of social media.
Up to now, social media has developed and plays an important role in business operations and marketing. Not only contributing to interactions and feedback with customers like before, social media is now a way to identify brands, update information, deploy digital marketing campaigns, and more.
Why is Social Media Important for Businesses?
Social media is important for businesses because it helps them connect with people easily and quickly. It's like a virtual meeting place where companies can share their stories, products, and updates.
This interaction builds relationships, increases brand awareness, and attracts customers. Plus, it's a quick and cost-effective way (because creating a business profile on social media is free) to reach a large audience, making it indispensable for business growth.
TOP 10 Social Media Platforms for Business Growth
There are many social media platforms at the moment. However, we do not need and should not carry out marketing campaigns on all social media because it will waste time, human resources, and money. Therefore, we will only take a look at the 10 most used social media platforms currently*.
*Data updated in 2024.
Facebook started in 2004 and is the biggest social networking site worldwide, with more than 3 billion people using it every month.
What it's good at: Facebook is popular everywhere, has a lot of different types of users, a well-known advertising system, and a strong brand.
Right now: Facebook is dealing with issues like fewer people seeing posts naturally, worries about privacy, and competition from new platforms.
The strengths of Facebook for businesses:
Broad reach: Access to a massive user base across demographics.
Targeted advertising: Ability to reach specific audiences based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.
Brand awareness building: Establish brand presence and connect with potential customers.
Customer service: Respond to inquiries and build relationships with customers.
YouTube
YouTube started in 2005 and is the top video-sharing platform globally, with more than 2.5 billion people using it every month.
What it's good at: YouTube has a huge collection of videos, a community of creators from all over, is popular on mobile devices, and lets creators make money.
Right now: YouTube is dealing with competition from other video platforms such as TikTok and Twitch.
The strengths of YouTube for businesses:
Video marketing: Powerful tool for product demonstrations, tutorials, and storytelling.
Brand storytelling: Create engaging content to connect with audiences on an emotional level.
Influencer marketing: Partner with relevant creators to reach wider audiences.
Search engine optimization: Utilize video content to improve search ranking.
Facebook bought Instagram in 2012, and now it's a platform for sharing photos and videos with over 2 billion people using it every month.
What it's good at: Instagram is all about pictures and videos, is great for influencer marketing, and has cool features like Stories and Reels that keep people engaged.
Right now: Instagram is dealing with more competition from TikTok and has to deal with things like worries about how it affects body image and mental health.
The strengths of Instagram for businesses:
Visual marketing: Showcase products and services through captivating images and videos.
Influencer marketing: Collaborate with influencers to reach target audiences and increase brand awareness.
Engagement: Foster connections with customers through interactive features like Stories and Reels.
Community building: Create a community around your brand and engage with customers directly.
TikTok
TikTok started in 2016 and is a platform for short videos, with over 1.2 billion people using it every month, especially popular among younger users.
What it's good at: TikTok keeps people hooked with a great algorithm, easy-to-use design, creative video editing tools, and the chance for videos to go viral.
Right now: TikTok is being looked at closely for how it handles data security and privacy, and there are worries about possible censorship.
The strengths of TikTok for businesses:
Viral marketing potential: High potential for content to reach large audiences quickly.
Engaging young demographics: Strong presence among younger users.
Creative content formats: Short-form video format allows for creative and impactful storytelling.
Trending content: Leverage trending topics and challenges to increase brand visibility.
Snapchat
Snapchat came out in 2011 and is a messaging app famous for pictures and videos that disappear, with over 750 million people using it every month.
What it's good at: Snapchat is known for its disappearing content, cool augmented reality filters, and is really popular with younger users.
Right now: Snapchat is dealing with fewer new users joining, and it's got competition from other messaging apps like Instagram and WhatsApp.
The strengths of Snapchat for businesses:
Reaching younger audiences: Strong presence among Gen Z and younger millennials.
Real-time engagement: Ephemeral nature of content encourages immediate attention.
Augmented reality (AR) marketing: Use AR filters for interactive and engaging marketing campaigns.
Behind-the-scenes glimpses: Offer a unique look into company culture and daily operations.
Twitter (X Now)
Twitter started in 2006 and is a place for short messages (tweets) with up to 280 characters, used by over 436 million people every month. In 2022, Elon Musk bought Twitter and changed its name to X.
What it's good at: Twitter is all about real-time info, breaking news, and it's big with celebrities and important people.
Right now: Twitter is dealing with issues like online bullying and false stories. They're also trying out new things like audio chats and subscriptions. By 2024, they added a feature using AI to give more information about controversial videos, images, and news.
The strengths of X for businesses:
Real-time communication: Share news, updates, and announcements instantly.
Customer service: Respond to customer inquiries and address concerns publicly.
Thought leadership: Establish expertise and build brand authority through industry insights.
Engage in conversation: Participate in relevant discussions and connect with potential customers.
Pinterest started in 2005 and is a platform for discovering cool visuals. People can save and share images and videos (pins) on "boards," and it's used by over 460 million people every month.
What it's good at: Pinterest is all about visual ideas and finding cool stuff. It's really popular with specific interest groups like DIY and fashion, and there's a chance to buy things.
Right now: Pinterest is trying out new stuff like Idea Pins and more videos. They're also working on growing internationally.
The strengths of Pinterest for businesses:
Targeted marketing: Reach potential customers based on their interests and desires.
Product discovery: Showcase products and drive traffic to your website.
Visual inspiration: Create visually appealing content that inspires users to learn more about your offerings.
Increased brand awareness: Build brand recognition and establish industry expertise.
Reddit started in 2010 and is a website where people share news and have discussions. There are groups (subreddits) for all kinds of topics, and it's used by over 430 million people every month.
What it's good at: Reddit is great for building communities, talking about all sorts of things, and users decide what content gets attention.
Right now: Reddit is dealing with problems like false info and harmful speech. They're figuring out how to make sure the content is moderated well and users have a good experience.
The strengths of Reddit for businesses:
The strengths Target niche communities: Reach specific audiences with tailored messaging.
Build brand authenticity: Engage with users in a genuine way and build trust.
Market research: Gain insights into customer interests and preferences by observing community discussions.
Public relations: Monitor conversations and address potential issues proactively.of Reddit for businesses:
LinkedIn started in 2006 and is a platform for professional connections, used by over 300 million people every month. It's handy for job hunting, growing professionally, and staying in touch with workmates.
What it's good at: LinkedIn is all about professional networking, has lots of job listings, and lets people endorse skills and learn new things.
Right now: LinkedIn is up against other places for job searching and networking. They're also trying out new stuff like videos and online events.
The strengths of LinkedIn for businesses:
Professional networking: Connect with potential clients, partners, and employees.
Recruiting tool: Advertise job openings and attract qualified candidates.
Content marketing: Share industry-related thought leadership content to establish expertise.
Brand positioning: Showcase company culture and values to attract talent and build brand reputation.
Threads
Threads launched in 2023 by Facebook, Threads operates with the goal of providing an experience similar to Twitter (X Now): being able to exchange information online, write articles, share publicly (also known as microblogging), and above all tie in with Instagram. An article can contain up to 500 characters and a 5-minute video.
What it's good at: Integration with other Facebook products, potential for close-knit group communication.
Right now: Has not gained significant traction compared to other social media apps, facing competition from established players like Twitter and Reddit.
The strengths of Threads for businesses:
Close-knit communication: Engage with a smaller, more personal group of potential customers.
Exclusive content: Offer exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses or promotions.
Increased engagement: Encourage direct interaction and feedback from a loyal audience.
Potential for community building: Foster a sense of belonging among followers.
Which Social Media Should Your Business Use?
With so many social media platforms, which social media should you use? There are factors that you should consider in order of priority as follows:
Legal: there are social media banned by the government, for example Facebook is banned in China, Austria, Bangladesh,... or TikTok is banned in India. Find out which social media platforms are not banned in the country where your customers live, and are widely used by your customers.
Customers: based on your customer profile, you will know their age, behavior, and interests. And then choose the most suitable social media for your business.
Funding: social media is free but advertising is not, the main revenue of social media platforms comes from advertising. Choose the platform that best fits your budget.
For example: A business sells flowers, designs flower pots and other accompanying services. Their customer base is mainly in the US. They understand that their customers are attracted to beautiful images, videos, and tips on decorating their homes with flowers.
They feel that they should choose a social media where images and videos are optimized and used a lot, so they choose Instagram - A social media outlet specializing in posting photos and videos to spread their message. They also create a business profile on Facebook because the two platforms are linked so they just need to post pictures and videos on Instagram and it will also show up on Facebook.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right social media platform is important for effective business marketing. Understand your customer demographics, consider your advertising budget, and be aware of legal restrictions. Each platform in the TOP 10 social media platforms has its own strengths. Focus on platforms that align with your business goals and audience.
