The best answer to that question is – it depends.

If Social Media is your only platform on the Internet, it will be difficult to grow a business that way. You may see limited success, but ultimately you are depending on social media users and the platform itself to spread the word about your business. 

Your business should have at a minimum a claimed, verified, and optimized GBP (Google Business Profile) and a business website to augment your Social Media platforms.

If you have a presence on other platforms such as Google and a website of your own, Social Media can be a good addition to your marketing efforts.  Social media can be used to amplify your message and keep your current customers or patients informed of your business activities,  but it has limited use when it comes to the issue of finding new customers or patients. 

When people search for products and services online, they tend to use Google or some other search engine, and not social media. Once they find a business or practice they are interested in, they might use social media to ask their ‘friends’ for opinions to assist in making a decision or choice.

Unless you are posting a lot on social media people will have a hard time finding your business when they need your product or service. Even then if they are not actively searching your posts will most likely be ignored.

So what is the best way to use Social Media for your marketing efforts? 

Make sure all your platforms are connected –  Google Business Profile, website, and Social Media accounts should have links to each other.

When you post on Social media, post on your Google Business Profile as well. Google likens GBP to a social media platform and likes to see posting activity and not just a static profile. Also post to your website blog (you do have a blog, yes?)

When you have lots of social ‘proof’ about your business, Google will rank your GBP and your website higher in its rankings, getting your business more exposure. People will see your business and may use your social media link to see how your current customers or patients comment about your business.

If your business model supports it, you can use your Social Media platforms to offer incentives for your followers to use and recommend your business. This works well for restaurants, chiropractors, nail and beauty salons, fitness centers, and similar businesses.

C&S Local Marketing can help you develop an integrated marketing strategy using Social Media, GBP, and your website, as well as other marketing methods, to help you grow your business. The investment in your business you make today will pay dividends and provide a handsome return on that investment in the future. Contact us for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.