If you have a business, chances are you’ve wondered more than once which social network could be the best fit for your sector.
The truth is there’s no absolute answer, but by getting to know each one a little better, at Mailrelay we can get an idea of which are, today, the best social media platforms for businesses.
If you feel that your social media just isn’t taking off, maybe it’s because you’re not in the right place.
A good strategy, among many other things, helps define which online marketing tools are most relevant to the business in question.
In today’s post, we give you the keys to get to know and choose the most profitable social media platforms, the ones that can really help your business. Let’s dive in!
Best Social Media Platforms for Businesses
To find out which social network is best for your business, it helps to know which ones are the most widely used. It doesn’t help much to be on a social network that’s well suited to our sector if there aren’t really any users interacting on it.
We must remember that the purpose of being on this type of platform is to get our name out there and attract potential customers. That’s why we should choose tools that are actually being used by our target audience. This way, we’ll make sure our strategy is effective and successful.
Among the most widely used social networks, we can find the following platforms:
A classic. Nowadays, the platform has a huge number of active users, which tells us it’s still a widely used network where we could find our target audience.
At this point, you’re probably wondering: Is it worth having my business present on Facebook?
Not every business succeeds on Facebook, and this is due, among other things, to the very nature of the platform. We usually use Facebook to stay in touch with friends and/or acquaintances, which gives it a social, leisure-oriented character.
If my business sells to other companies, is it worth being on Facebook? The answer is a bit complex. It depends on the type of business. As we mentioned earlier, Facebook’s leisure and entertainment nature means it isn’t always useful for selling to other businesses.
Think of it this way: when someone opens Facebook, they do it to connect with people they know and switch off from work.
· Which businesses succeed on Facebook?
In general, all businesses that sell to an end customer rather than to other companies. In addition, businesses related to leisure and free time tend to have a higher success rate.
Some examples are: businesses related to travel, outdoor activities, sports (gyms), restaurants, bars and online stores.
· Which businesses don’t do as well on Facebook?
Those aimed at other businesses, especially very specific or industrial businesses. These will find it harder to get results out of the tool.
For example, a company that sells industrial machinery to other companies will find it really hard to succeed on Facebook. This is mainly because its audience is a large organization, not an individual person.
Among the most widely used social networks today, Instagram couldn’t be missing. Due to its unstoppable growth, this tool is, today, one of the most important social networks.
As in the previous case, Instagram is one of the best platforms for selling if you have a business aimed directly at the end consumer (B2C). Nowadays, it has a number of active users that keeps growing, which makes it one of the favorites among businesses.
But is it worth having my business on Instagram?
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Just as with Facebook, Instagram tends to be more effective for certain types of businesses. That’s why it’s important to keep this in mind and assess whether our business should be present there or not.
· Which businesses succeed on Instagram?
All businesses that sell to an end customer rather than to other companies. In addition, businesses related to health, beauty/aesthetics, fashion, food, travel, wellness and sports have a higher chance of success.
If your business matches any of the above, it’s important that you know how to navigate the platform. That’s why some expert tips on Instagram for businesses will come in handy.
· Which businesses don’t do as well on Instagram?
For example, a company dedicated to maritime freight transport wouldn’t have much room on this social network, because its audience (executives at large companies involved in importing and exporting products) isn’t on Instagram or, at least, doesn’t use the app for that purpose.
This doesn’t mean that no business selling to other companies has a place on the social network. Today, there are many businesses aimed at entrepreneurs that have taken their first steps with Instagram and succeeded with their strategy on this social network. What matters is assessing whether our audience is really there or not.
3. LinkedIn, a network for professionals
With LinkedIn, we’re looking at the opposite case to the previous two. Being a professionally oriented social network, it’s ideal for businesses whose target audience is other businesses or companies (B2B).
LinkedIn users are on the social network for work-related reasons, whether to make new contacts or find a job, not to plan their vacation or buy clothes.
That’s why, if you know your end audience well and work on your content properly, you’ll see how you manage to connect with businesses and companies that are part of your potential audience.
· Which businesses succeed on LinkedIn?
Companies whose purpose is to sell to other companies. In addition, those related to marketing, technology, science, textile groups and banking activities tend to have a higher success rate on the platform.
· Which businesses don’t do as well on LinkedIn?
Companies whose purpose is to sell to the end customer or user. Taking the previous examples, on LinkedIn a company dedicated to maritime freight transport is likely to be more successful than a travel agency.
Through this social network, a business can position itself within its sector, network with other companies and gain visibility within its field.
To understand this tool’s potential, it’s important to keep its particularities in mind. Today, X is a social network based mainly on sharing real-time information. This makes it a great source of news and opinion.
In fact, it can be used by businesses that target end consumers (mainly) or sell to other companies. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this social network isn’t suitable for every type of business. Here are some examples:
· Which businesses succeed on X?
Companies whose purpose is to sell to the end customer (mainly) and to other businesses.
On X (Twitter), businesses related to news, sports, politics, telecommunications and technology have a high chance of success.
· Which businesses don’t do as well on X?
Very local businesses, for example, wouldn’t succeed on this platform. A small store selling phones in a small town, therefore, shouldn’t consider being present on X.
We’ve all heard of Pinterest, but the current lack of knowledge about this platform means most businesses don’t take it into account in their online marketing strategy. Curious, isn’t it?
Pinterest works very well for businesses that aim to sell to the end customer, especially when it comes to a female audience. In fact, this social network is used mostly by women. As a result, it can be very useful if your business’s audience matches the one described above.
People usually turn to Pinterest looking for inspiration or information, but don’t underestimate it: it’s a great social network for getting your name out there among the public (thanks to its strong ability to be indexed by Google). This makes it another one of the best social media platforms for businesses.
· Which businesses succeed on Pinterest?
Companies whose purpose is to sell to the end customer.
On Pinterest, businesses related to events (especially weddings), decor, fashion and crafts have a high chance of success. If these businesses also operate online, they’ll have an extra point in their favor.
· Which businesses don’t do as well on Pinterest?
Businesses aimed at selling products or services to other companies, especially highly specialized businesses. A lawyer, for example, would most likely not succeed on Pinterest.
6. TikTok: The Social Network for Viral Content
TikTok is a social media platform focused on creating and consuming short, creative videos. Its ability to make content go viral has attracted a wide variety of users, especially young people. The platform allows businesses to connect with audiences through dynamic, engaging content.
Which businesses succeed on TikTok?
- Businesses aimed at a young audience:
TikTok is predominantly used by people between 16 and 24 years old, which makes it a key platform for brands looking to attract a young audience.
Businesses in areas such as music, entertainment and food can benefit from TikTok’s visual, highly shareable nature. Challenges and viral trends offer opportunities to create creative content that resonates with users.
Success Examples: Restaurants and cafés that create recipe videos or show off the fun atmosphere of their venues can attract customers through TikTok.
Which businesses don’t do as well on TikTok?
B2B Companies: Companies that sell products or services to other businesses (B2B) may find TikTok less effective. The platform is geared more toward the end consumer and may not be the best place for B2B strategies.
Limitation Examples: Industrial machinery companies or specialized consultancies may not see a significant return on investment on TikTok, since content aimed at a corporate or professional audience may not resonate well on this network.
Highly Specialized Businesses: Businesses that target very specific or highly specialized niches may face challenges connecting with their audience on TikTok, since the platform has a more general, entertainment-focused approach.
Limitation Examples: Specialized financial advisory services or highly technical products may find that TikTok isn’t the most effective channel for reaching their potential customers.
TikTok is a powerful platform for brands that want to create viral content and connect with a young audience through creative, entertaining videos. It’s particularly effective for businesses in fashion, beauty, entertainment and food. However, it may not be the best option for B2B or highly specialized businesses, since its focus is more on mass consumption and entertainment.
Which Social Network Should I Use Based on My Target Audience?
To determine which social network to use, it’s important to consider your target audience and where they’re most active.
Here’s a general guide based on the type of audience:
- Facebook: Ideal for a broad, diverse audience, including adults aged 30 to 65. It’s useful for local businesses, targeted ad campaigns and varied content.
- Instagram: Perfect for a younger audience, aged 18 to 34, and for brands focused on images and visual content. It’s excellent for fashion, beauty, food and lifestyle.
- LinkedIn: The best option for professionals and B2B companies. It’s useful for sharing industry-related content, networking and job opportunities.
- Twitter: Suitable for news, real-time updates and topics of general interest. It attracts a diverse audience and is useful for dialogue and quick interaction.
- TikTok: Focused on a young audience, aged 16 to 24, and ideal for creative, viral content, especially in areas like fashion, music and entertainment.
- Pinterest: Good for audiences interested in ideas, inspiration and projects, especially in niches like decor, recipes and DIY.
Conclusion: Are Some Social Networks More Profitable?
As we’ve seen throughout this article, there are a huge number of social networks today. Each one has its own characteristics and particularities. That’s why it’s important to get to know them thoroughly when choosing the best one for our business.
Are some social networks more profitable than others? Yes, of course — depending on your sector and business field, some social networks will bring you more profit than others.
We hope this post has helped you learn something new and, above all, helped you find out which are currently the best social media platforms for businesses. And you, do you think you’re getting the most out of your business’s social media?
On the other hand, if you’re looking for an email marketing service to sell more, at Mailrelay we offer you a free account to send up to 80,000 emails to 20,000 subscribers. Sign up now and take advantage of this offer to sell more, for free!
The most suitable social network will always depend on your buyer persona and where they actually spend their time.
