Hey guys. I need some feedback about advertising on Facebook. My goal is to use Facebook to for a very similar purpose of a website. I would like to: - Promote items for sale- Promote businesses/people/groups I know and would personally recommend - Showcase customer's bikes and projects - Suggest forums and page where people can get info on Do-it-yourself small maintenance jobs on their bikes - Have weekly or monthly "sales" or promotions, available on my Facebook page only - Organise group safe riding courses - Organise weekend riding (well, when I’m able to ride again) Pretty much, I would like to interact with people more than I have been doing. For those who don't know yet, I've been involved in a bad accident back in December, and I'm still in treatment and recovery process, and unable to ride until the end of next year. That if the wife allows me... But I’m getting better now, I should be able to spend more time online. I always prefer the type of friend-to-friend approach, instead business-to-customer way. I think Facebook would be the perfect way of doing it. What are you guys ideas about it? Have you ever done advertising on Facebook? Any feedback I could use? I've uploaded a few pictures to my business page, but not sure if I’m doing it right or not. Don't want to spend days uploading thousands of pic, just to realise I've done it wrong. Would you put a photo of the item, with a short description, and the price as well? Or would you have the price on a different page? As you see, I know nothing about Facebook's business side. Only use it occasionally for private use. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. And if you "like" us on Facebook, I’ll love you forever https://www.facebook.com/XCiteBikes Cheers Omar
Hi Omar I would have a chat with Darren, he is a web developer and would have a greater understanding on current web trends and how bets to covert a click into a sale. I a serial on-line shopper, I have never bought anything of a targeted ad on any site including Facebook. alas, I love eBay Cheers Chris
Hi Omar, For google purposes, you are best sharing the link from your product page to Facebook. This will enable a photo and link back to your stock item. Social interaction on Facebook for business is about building trust. It cannot just be a big ad for the web site. Engage in discussions, anything that's builds trust and shows your experience and knowledge. Post about anything relevant to your target market. Forums are a waste of time on Facebook. Example this forum rocks, but limited Facebook interaction from members. Targeted ads do work in some cases, but build a brand first. People may click through to your page, but need a real reason to keep coming back. So much much I could explain, but I hope this gives you a starting point. Cheers Darren
Thanks for the feedback Chris. Personally, I hate any targeted marketing... I relate them to spam, or unsolicited advertising. Like you, I buy everything online, but I like to search what I want, not having something being pushed to me when I really don't need it. But, as you know, eBay is getting too greedy. Besides charging $50 a month for a store, plus a small fee for each item, plus PayPal (another eBay company) fees, etc. And heaps of rules and regulations to protect the buyer, and just a few to protect the seller...
Hey Darren. Thanks a lot for the excellent ideas. I agree with you, advertising with building trust first is pointless. On eBay, I have the advantage of a large quantity of positive feedback, which inspire confidence on buyers. The way I see it, only a massive quantity of positive comments on my FB page would create the same. I'll start asking all my future eBay customer to leave a honest feedback about the item on FB. Even if the comment is not the best, that would be a good opportunity for me to discuss the quality of the item. Was it a bad apple, or the whole production is badly made? Does it fit properly at all? Getting a feedback from the customer him/herself is the best way to letting others know if the product (and the seller) can be trusted. Thanks guys, great tips and advices to get me started. Wish me luck. Cheers Omar
Hey Mate, I know this post is old but im bored at work lol. Facebook is the best way of free advertising (providing your just doing it via your page). Lets be honest probably 70+% of your customers are males between the ages of 18-40ish. And everyone pretty much lives on facebook. If you post an update with a new product or or discount they are more there is a greater chance that they will see if rather than if you just update the website. Lets be honest your customers wont go on every day checking for new stock or discounts. A great way to get facebook likes is advise on the website to like your fb page for exclusive discounts not found via email or the website. If you can afford it run a competition if it its something small like for stickers or a tshirt or whatever cheap stock you can afford to give away that is generic enough that any bike rider can use. Also your facebook like icon is all the way at the bottom of your website. Move it up higher maybe in the side menu where people are more likely to see it. Also in all emails you send out make sure in your signature that you have like us on faecbook etc. Hope it helps.
Hey scottay. Thanks a lot for the great ideas. Indeed, I don't expect people to check out my website to find out what's on special... Facebook is a much more appropriate way of advertising something current, happening right now. But I'm really concerned in anoying people with heaps of ads. I did a few tests recently, advertising some Tyga Performance stuff. I guess the idea works, just need to improve on it. I must say I hate the current website. I paid some reputable company to make a new website, and they gave me something out the shelf, probably put together by a 15-year old. I got really frustrated and decided to get the site re-done. I'm prepared to pay for a new site, but I don't want to run the risk of, once more, paying in advance, to get something I'm not happy with. I'm still looking for someone local, who I may talk to personally over a cup of coffee, about what I need. I have zero creativity skills. I only know what I don't want on the site, but I'm not sure what would make the site stand up. I guess a new website is the most important right now. If I have a good site, easy to navigate and find what you're looking for, I would be ready to start using FB, Google and other advertising forms more seriously. Again, thanks a lot for the input. Cheers.
I wouldn't be too concerned about posting specials and things on facebook. People have liked your page because they have a genuine interest in your company / products. I do web design (only basic for smaller companies) so I could help you out with smaller things (for free). The biggest thing would be if you do get a new website to make sure all the product info on the website currently can be moved across. Also any clients i have i never make them pay a cent till the products done and they are happy, so maybe it would be good time this round to find someone that wont make you pay in advance. Anyway best of luck!
