Is social media suited to every kind of business?

[sweetbeats]

You seem to be reacting as if I'm insulting you? I believe you said that you've yet to see any business benefit from facebook, so I've let you know that in fact, it does benefit many businesses.

I was thinking about how you said the businesses that you have given a fb presence have not gotten any activity from it. THat really might not matter at all, for those businesses. (On the other hand, it's basicallf they free and probably looks weird *not* to have at least a page). But if they aren't actively encouraging people on to facebook, then people arent really going to join just for the fun of it. I don't really encourage my customers to like our page... unless I'm speaking to them and ask them to like the page so they can let us know how they are going later on, etc.

However, now that I more actively try to get 'likes' (and I am really low level at it) I can see the impact. Ie, every time I mention something new, a sale, another page, whatever, i can see people leaving facebook to visit my site (through my site tracking) and I get enough sales for it to be worth my while. (Again, I am low level at this it's more like an easy perk than anything I dedicate energy to).

My business isnta 'fb business' at all - I rely on search engines - however, I *do* think its fascinating how social media has caused this burgeoning of a different type of sales forum. Facebook as shopping mall - its a phenomenon I don't think would have been predicted.

I've just bought some carseat liners from this page:

http://www.facebook.com/LMLEILA

She put up some new fabrics, they came up in my feed, sparked my interest, and there you have it.

So, to recap, my point is that:

1 - I think all businesses at least are not *disadvantaged* by having a fb page

2. - some businesses will get no sales, but may benefit in other ways (gain trust, rapport, networking)

3. - some businesses might get a few sales but still get above benefits

4 - other end of spectrum - some businesses are fb *only* - they dont exist outside fb and they rely on their likers and the 'share' function taht spreads their brand rapidly through fb for sales.

[bwendo]

I was never on the FB wagon, never will. It's a 100% waste of time.

Me neither, I find all the updates about where you had a coffee or what colour you painted your bathroom utterly tedious and very very rarely amusing.

[dory]

I think with all the changes Google have made that the shift from pure seo (back link building to gain rank) to obtain high ranking for any "business" website and therefore have a presence in the market is now centered more around social interaction which of course includes facebook.

If you don't have facebook as part of your business marketing then I do believe your missing out. It can be used to interact with your audience and keep them up to date on whats happening which in turn can generate business. Or if that isn't effective I still believe facebook and other social networks really do play a huge part in how google gauge your importance when it comes to your customers. Their has been a big shift towards social media and I don't see that changing but only getting bigger

[CamillaReberg]

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[AshleyWhiteBusiness]

The use of social media depends on what business you are trying to promote or advertise.

[NCasale]

Social media should be used by any business.The importance of social media in today’s world cannot be overestimated. Social media provides virtually instant access to information throughout the world.

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[blueorchid]

I guess it depends. The great thing about utilizing social media for your business is that you can interact with your clientele.