The 10 Best Social Shopping Platforms and Apps

Studies show that 72% of millennials say social media enables them to connect with brands. Meanwhile, Gen Zers are the second-fastest adopters of social commerce. This trend contributes to the immense popularity of social shopping platforms. Businesses use various marketing strategies to reach the target audience and influence their purchasing decisions. Below are the best social shopping platforms and apps to help you develop your marketing plan. 

1. Facebook Marketplace 

Facebook Marketplace is an excellent platform for buying and selling products within your community. Its easy-to-use interface and secure transaction features make it a reliable platform for users to buy and sell products. It is also an excellent place for small businesses to leverage social media. 

The good news is that Facebook Marketplace is free for all users. Users can easily search for items they want to buy. Plus, they can communicate with sellers directly through Facebook Messenger. 

2. Instagram Shopping 

Instagram Shopping is a feature on the popular social media platform Instagram. It allows businesses to sell products directly to their followers. When a business tags a product in a post, story, or reel, followers can tap on the tag to see more details about the product. Then, a direct link to the product page on the business website will appear. Instagram Shopping also allows businesses to create a customizable storefront on their profile.

To use Instagram Shopping, businesses should have an Instagram business account and set up a Facebook shop. Once a Facebook shop is set up, they can link it to their Instagram account and tag products in their posts, stories, and reels.

3. Pinterest 

Pinterest Social Shopping offers a seamless shopping experience and analytics. It is one of the popular social shopping platforms where businesses can sell products directly to users. 

This Pinterest feature enables businesses to create shoppable pins. With shoppable pins, businesses can tag products in their pins and link them to their product pages on their websites. This is easier for users to discover and purchase products without leaving the platform.

4. TikTok Shopping

TikTok Shopping is a new feature on the popular social media app TikTok. Like other social media platforms, this feature lets users shop for products directly from the app. Brands can create shoppable ads and connect with potential customers through the platform.

TikTok was the most-downloaded mobile app globally, with 672 million downloads generated in 2022. Similarly, the platform has a large audience of over 1 billion monthly active users. These numbers significantly impact the success of the companies that use TikTok as an extension of their e-commerce strategies. 

5. Amazon Live

The e-commerce giant Amazon is also a leader in social shopping. The company launched Amazon Live, a live-streaming service offered by Amazon that allows brands and sellers to showcase their products in real time. With Amazon Live, businesses can create videos streamed on Amazon.com and the Amazon Live app. They can showcase their products and their features during the live stream. Customers can also interact with the host, ask questions, and purchase products directly from the stream.

6. Snapchat

Snapchat is new to social commerce, but its features are promising. Snapchat comes equipped with AI technology that makes filters look realistic. Brands can create filters for their products and embed a product link. Users can try these filters as if they are trying on the product. If they like it, they are more likely to click on the embedded link to explore more. 

For instance, it could create possibilities for eyewear or makeup brands by focusing on the face. The product link can be integrated with the story, and users can shop through the Snapchat story with easy tagging. Surprisingly, it also allows the users’ friends to click on the link.

7. Twitter Shop Module

Image Source: Twitter Blog

Twitter has launched a new shopping feature called Shop Module. Now called Shop Spotlight, this function allows businesses to upload their product catalog to Twitter. Brands can showcase their products along with detailed information. Users can browse and purchase products directly within the platform without being redirected to an external website.

8. YouTube Shopping Ads

YouTube has introduced shopping ads that allow businesses to showcase their products. It also allows users to make purchases directly within the video. With YouTube Shopping Ads, businesses can create shoppable video ads that feature their products.

YouTube Shopping Ads work in a similar way to other social shopping platforms, like Instagram Shopping and TikTok Shopping. Brands can tag products in their ads and link them to their product pages on their websites. Youtube makes it easier for viewers to discover and purchase products they are interested in.

9. WeChat Shopping

Image Source: Marketing to China 

WeChat is a popular social media platform in China that also integrates a shopping function. Users can browse and purchase products within the app and connect with businesses. Through WeChat Shopping, businesses can set up their online store within the app. It means users can browse and purchase products directly without leaving the platform. In addition, users can also share product links and recommendations with their friends and family on WeChat.

10. Shopify

Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform allowing businesses to create online stores and sell their products. It also integrates with social media platforms to enable businesses to introduce and sell their products directly through their social media accounts. 

The seamless integration of Shopify with Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest makes the platform an efficient place to buy and sell products. This way, businesses can promote their products on social media and drive traffic to their online store.

Conclusion

Shopping has taken on a new dimension with the emergence of social shopping platforms. These platforms enable users to discover products, purchase, and share their shopping experiences. With the steady growth of e-commerce, social shopping will likely continue to improve in the coming years.