Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, and for small businesses in the UK, it has become a key tool for engaging with customers, building brand awareness, and driving growth. As we head into the latter half of 2021, it’s important for small businesses to stay up to date with the latest social media trends. In this blog post, we’ll explore 5 social media trends to watch in the UK for small businesses. So, let’s dive in!
The Rise of TikTok
TikTok has quickly become a social media powerhouse, with over 1 billion active users globally. In the UK, it’s estimated that over 17 million people use TikTok, making it a platform that small businesses can’t ignore. TikTok presents a huge opportunity for small businesses to reach a younger audience through engaging, short-form video content. If you’re looking to reach Gen Z and millennials, it’s time to start thinking about how you can incorporate TikTok into your social media strategy.
Social Commerce
Social commerce is the latest trend in social media, and it’s all about using social media platforms to sell products directly to customers. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest have all introduced features that make it easier for customers to shop without leaving the app. For small businesses, social commerce can be a game-changer, giving them the ability to sell products directly to customers on social media, without the need for a separate e-commerce website.
Authenticity and Transparency
Consumers are becoming increasingly savvy when it comes to advertising and marketing. In order to build trust with your audience, it’s essential to be authentic and transparent in your social media marketing. Small businesses that are open and honest about their products and services, and who use social media to engage with customers in a genuine and meaningful way, will be more successful in the long run.
Increased Importance of Local Search
Local search has become increasingly important in recent years, and it’s a trend that’s set to continue in 2021 and beyond. More and more people are using social media to find local businesses, which means that small businesses need to ensure that their social media profiles are up to date and optimised for local search. This can include things like adding location tags to your posts and using local keywords in your social media bios.
Greater Emphasis on Video Content
Video content has become king in the world of social media, and it’s a trend that’s set to continue. Whether it’s short-form video content on TikTok and Instagram Reels, or longer videos on YouTube and Facebook, video is a highly engaging and effective way to reach your target audience. Small businesses that can create high-quality, engaging video content will be well-positioned to succeed on social media.
Social media is constantly evolving, and small businesses in the UK need to stay up to date with the latest trends in order to succeed. Whether it’s incorporating TikTok into your social media strategy, using social commerce to sell products directly to customers, being authentic and transparent in your marketing, optimising your social media profiles for local search, or prioritising video content, there are plenty of opportunities for small businesses to thrive on social media. By staying informed and adapting to these trends, small businesses can build a strong social media presence and drive growth in the years to come.