This is a question many small business owners ask themselves. They’re aware of the mass amounts of people on Instagram and even been able to increase Facebook likes. Yet it still seems as though no one is reaping any benefits from this or maybe they’ve noticed an overall decline in sales and posts engagements.
What Does Research Say?
According to Pew Research Center, Facebook continues to dominate the online landscape. However, it does seem that the user demographic has shifted over the past five years. Among the US adults who use Facebook, more that half of its current users are between the ages of 30-49. Within all users, seven-in-ten Facebook users say they use the site daily; 49% of users check the site several times a day.
It’s Still a Social Website
Remember that Facebook is a social website, not a marketing campaign. You should always consider yourself as part of the community and frequently post about things you find interesting or funny. People love to see what everyone is up to. If you’re constantly putting out new content, you can expect increased traffic to your Facebook page.
Another important aspect of being on Facebook is the constant flow of information. The more you post, the higher your chances are of grabbing someone’s attention. You never know who may need your product or service – keep an open mind when posting. It’s easy to get discouraged when you don’t see results. If you keep at it, your business page will hopefully start gaining recognition.
Personalize Your Page
Creating a Facebook fan page is also another great way for people to become aware of your business. Just like having an official website, this allows others to share it with their friends or print out coupons/discounts to hand out. You can even track whether or not your fans are actively using the page by utilizing Facebook Insights.
The main problem you’ll likely face is gaining enough likes for your page so it will be seen by others. Many people have resorted to offering products and services free of charge in order to do this but that may not work for everyone. The best way to do this I’ve found is through the use of an ad.
Is The $$ Worth It?
Facebook ads are great because all you have to do it put in your budget and let Facebook know what you’re looking for (precise demographics, age, gender). What makes them even better is that they allow you to limit your results to a certain location or even a radius surrounding that area. This way you’re only reaching people who have the potential of being interested in your product/service.
What will most likely happen is that Facebook will limit the number of likes you’re able to get based on the budget you put in for your ad. If this happens, you should try to raise your budget by a certain amount or narrow your area of reach. You can still get people interested in your product/service even if they don’t end up liking it. They’re more likely to check out what you have to offer when they see that their friends are fans of your business page.
It may take time, but Facebook continues to be a great way for small businesses to gain recognition and (potentially) new customers. It’s definitely worth the effort. Best of luck!
