People all over the world use platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. You only have to look at the stats to realise the impact of using these platforms for marketing. But do you have to use your online presence to maximise your profit?

In our modern, technological world, having an active social media presence is considered essential to building your brand’s visibility. By not using websites like Facebook as a marketing tool, you could be missing out on potential custom and revenue – particularly if you already have a website from which you intend to sell your products or services.

Nevertheless, you may be unconvinced about the impact that social media could have on your business and might need a little more persuading. In order to learn more about why this marketing method is so successful, read on to discover more.

Not everybody knows this, but social media posts can actually be used to drive targeted traffic to your website or blog. Well-placed posts can make all the difference between 1- people seeing your new page, and 1000 people seeing it. Not only that, but by using these popular platforms, you can actually control who sees it and who doesn’t.

What’s more, search engines like Google know which sites are being regularly visited and which have been neglected. This is what makes SEO so effective – and regularly using social media for business will boost your site’s SEO, earning it a higher place in search engine results.

Not only will you receive more customers by effectively managing your social media accounts, but you will also be able to communicate with them more directly. These days, many people are hesitant to pick up the phone or write you e-mail about something when they can just post it in 140 characters in half the time.

So, by not using your Facebook or Twitter page as a company resource, you’re missing out on valuable feedback from your customers – as well as great reviews that you could be citing on your website to attract future customers.

Communication is essential to any successful business, and by using Twitter or Facebook you will become more connected to your customers and even your competitors. The old saying ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’ really applies here – except they shouldn’t become your enemies, you can learn from their successes and failures.

Using these platforms will also enable you to respond to problems immediately. Unlike a letter or e-mail that could sit in your inbox for weeks, you’ll know straight away if a customer has complained or spread false information about your brand. This is a double-edged sword, of course, and it makes complaint handling more crucial than ever.

You can also use these sites as a tool for connecting with other complementary, non-competitive businesses, as well as journalists who cover your industry. Instagram is great for this, and isn’t just about posting photos as many people believe. You can really make connections using these platforms.

You also stand to gain more of an audience through users ‘reposting’ or ‘retweeting’ messages, particularly if they are interesting. It pays to be creative here, but don’t hassle your followers with annoying posts. You’d be surprised how many people will respond with a retweet if you simply reply to their complaint or positive comment with class.

Lastly, a strong social media presence will increase your brand loyalty. When you’re actively engaging and interacting with your audience, you’re able to form more personal relationships with your customers in a shared space.