Most companies and businesses today have a presence in the various social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and YouTube, among other platforms. Integrating social media with your website will help you maximize on the power of social media. Not only will you receive high traffic, but you will be sure the traffic you are getting is the traffic you are targeting.
Social media produces almost double the marketing leads of trade shows, telemarketing, direct mail, or PPC1. There are many ways to integrate your social media content and your website. The main purpose of doing so is to increase your social media visibility and entice your website viewers to visit more than just your homepage. It is also a way to have your customers/clients interact with you more easily and through a channel that they might be more comfortable with.
Integrate your own social media buttons to your website
The first step to integrating your social media into your website is to include your own social media buttons on your web pages. These buttons should be prominently displayed at the top, bottom, or the side of your web pages. When people see them, they will automatically know that you have a social media presence and they could visit you on the social media platform of their choice. Ensure that your visitors do not exit your website when clicking on your social media buttons. Design your website in a way that allows the social media page to open in a new window/tab. Also, make sure to link only to the social media you keep up-to-date. There is no reason to link your potential clients/customers to an inactive social platform.
Add your social media content to your website
Another way of integrating your social media to your website is adding a Twitter or Facebook feed or other social media content to your home page. The advantages of this include new and fresh content, and also a chance for visitors to get some insight into what you are doing on other platforms besides your website. On that note, only put up-to-date social media platforms, you don’t want your viewers to see that you haven’t posted on Facebook for over 6 months! If your visitors see interesting content they will be more willing to visit your social media profiles and connect with you.
Include share buttons with the content you create
Whether you create a blog, a whitepaper, or promotion, you should include social sharing buttons if it makes sense for your business. This is important because it increases the chances of your message going viral. You can choose what you would want your viewers to share or recommend on social media and add a button that permits them to spread your word. 85% of fans of brands on Facebook recommend brands to others, compared to 60% of average users2. You should not “litter” share buttons all over the place. Only include them on information that will be of value to you if shared.
Link your website content to your social media profiles
Integrating your website and your social media also works the other way. Indeed, all the content created on your website, such as blogs, guides and any other content that you may want people to read and comment on should be on your social media. Share content that will encourage the two-way interaction that is so popular on social media! You want as many people to see it as possible; this is why it makes sense to post it on your social media platforms! You also want to have a link to your homepage included in your social media profile description, so people know where to find more information about your company.
Use Analytics
One last but very important thing you want to pay attention to: your analytics! You want to be able to see the way in which visitors use your social media buttons. Find out how many visitors clicked on your social media buttons, how many clicked on the blog post you had on Facebook or how many shared the content of your website through social media. Your purpose here is to see if your social media and website integration campaign is working or not! Compare your web analytics and social media insights and find out which content and ideas are working the best and the areas in which you could improve.
DON’T FORGET, being interactive is a must since this will reflect on your company’s brand. If you have created social media profiles, use them! If you haven’t yet jumped on board with social media interaction, you should consider doing so! Approximately 46% of online users count on social media when making a purchase decision3. Also make sure to keep up-to-date and interesting content regularly on your social media to attract potential/existing customers from your different social media outlets to your website.
Contact Blue Atlas Marketing for more information on social media and website integration and our other services!
1 Source: HubSpot
2 Source: Syncapse
3 Source: Nielsen
