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Retailers Urged to Tweet
Listed under: News
Published: Monday, June 28, 2010
Businesses using social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, are more likely to win a far higher degree of trust from their shoppers than those without a social media presence, according to a recent survey by public relations firm, Fleishman-Hillard.
Conducted using market research firm Harris Interactive, the study reveals that up to 75% of people currently consider companies with their own blogging sites as more deserving of their trust than those without some form of internet communication, with almost 90% saying they use the web to research goods before making a purchase.
The findings also suggest that the trend is unlikely to end any time soon, with 60% of the people questioned saying they believe it will continue to play a significant role in their decision making over the next two years, and 39% thinking it will become even more important.
Commenting on the benefits of having an online blog, Matt Hopson, who owns Knit Wits wool shop in Cornwall with his wife Julia, says, “Although the site only has about four hardcore followers, we know it gets read by a lot of our customers before they come into the store and, while I can't say how big a factor it is in whether they choose to buy something from us or not, it certainly makes people feel more comfortable knowing they are purchasing their supplies from actual people and not just a corporate brand.”
He adds, “It is definitely something we invest a lot of time and energy in, and not only allows us to give our customers an insight into our ethics, craft-related antics and progress within the store, but also provides an opportunity for us to build closer relationships with our shoppers as well, which is crucial when it comes to securing future business.”
Conducted using market research firm Harris Interactive, the study reveals that up to 75% of people currently consider companies with their own blogging sites as more deserving of their trust than those without some form of internet communication, with almost 90% saying they use the web to research goods before making a purchase.
The findings also suggest that the trend is unlikely to end any time soon, with 60% of the people questioned saying they believe it will continue to play a significant role in their decision making over the next two years, and 39% thinking it will become even more important.
Commenting on the benefits of having an online blog, Matt Hopson, who owns Knit Wits wool shop in Cornwall with his wife Julia, says, “Although the site only has about four hardcore followers, we know it gets read by a lot of our customers before they come into the store and, while I can't say how big a factor it is in whether they choose to buy something from us or not, it certainly makes people feel more comfortable knowing they are purchasing their supplies from actual people and not just a corporate brand.”
He adds, “It is definitely something we invest a lot of time and energy in, and not only allows us to give our customers an insight into our ethics, craft-related antics and progress within the store, but also provides an opportunity for us to build closer relationships with our shoppers as well, which is crucial when it comes to securing future business.”
