You don't need to be a Fortune 500 company and spend thousands on it to reap its multiple benefits for business.

The Best Social Media Platforms for Small Business in 2020 (and Beyond)

Social media is an intrinsic part of any business's marketing strategy. And you don't need to be a Fortune 500 company and spend thousands on it to reap its multiple benefits for business. 

No matter how big or small your business is, social media posting can significantly boost the awareness, engagement, and sales of your brand. 

But that’s if you’re using the right platform. 

But which are the best social media platforms for small businesses? And how can such a business make the most of their use? Here is a comprehensive list answering exactly those two questions:

• Instagram — the best for visually showcasing your products

Every day, over one billion people log into their Instagram accounts, most of which are Millennials. They use hashtags to search for things they like, particularly products. If you're a commerce business without an account, you're missing out on Instagram's massive market and organic reach. 

While Instagram's core feature is sharing photos, there are more features and benefits to be had by using the platform. The Stories feature is a great way to showcase your products and give a short glimpse of your business behind the scenes. Your Highlights feature also acts as a display case or show glass for your best products. Additionally, as a small business you should not underestimate what engaging through comments can do for you as far as building brand-trust goes. You can also reach out to influencers (most of which hang out on Intagram) to review your products, or host occasional competitions, even start your own hashtag and make your products go extra-viral — without spending a penny, by the way.

• YouTube — the best for being found and ranked on Google

As far as search engines go, YouTube is not far behind its parent company, Google. YouTube videos based on good long-tale keywords are more likely to pop up on the first page of Google Search than some articles are. 

And if that wasn't enough, did you know that as much as 73% of adults use YouTube regularly? Most users are below the age of 50 and are interested in a blend of both educative and entertaining content. So your videos can be about anything, really, as long as they are relevant to your business in some way. 

So, if you like being in front of the camera and are familiar with keyword research, this platform is perfect for you. 

Not sure what content to create? Start with videos about your most popular queries. What do your customers want to know? Host a live Q&A to instantly answer your subscribers' questions (which is also an excellent tactic to follow if you want to create a community around your brand).  Maybe you can even provide a tutorial of a handmade product you offer, take a tour of your workplace, offer expert tips, and so much more.

• Facebook — the best for startups and audiences over 30

Why wouldn’t the most popular social media platform be one of the best for small businesses? Facebook currently boasts over 2.5 billion users monthly, so it’s a great platform for startups looking to break into online realms. While younger generations tend to prefer social media channels like Instagram and TikTok, Facebook remains the most sought-after platform for users over 30.

Facebook Business Pages can function as a business platform until you have your website up and running, equipped with messaging, analytics, and customer service features. Such pages are also useful tools for creating brand awareness.

But what makes Facebook ideal for small businesses and startups is the fuss-free ability to engage with potential customers through comments and direct messages. Take the time to engage with your audience when a post encourages it. It not only increases the visibility of that post, it strengthens your brand loyalty.

You can also use Facebook features like stories, live streams, and polls to keep your audience excited and interested in your products.

• Twitter — the best for B2B marketing and trending content

Twitter may have had its ups and downs throughout the years, however it ranks comfortably in the top five for B2B marketing. With 145 million daily users looking for a mix of informative and entertaining content, it's an excellent platform for those who know how to use it. From world leaders and celebrities, to popular brands and businesses, Twitter is utilized for its conversational, update-driven aspect.  

If you can tie your business into what's trending in a fun and humorous way, then use Twitter. It's also fantastic for offering customer service. Part of what makes this platform stand out is that it facilitates content variation. Pictures and short videos tend to stand out more, but do not underestimate the power of text. Explore different media types, follow threads, and stay consistent with maximizing this platform.

• Pinterest — the best for high-ranking images

Pinterest is a visual search engine. Well-optimized images on Pinterest tend to dominate the first search results page even if the image is nothing spectacular (so image what the spectacular ones can do).

One of its most exciting features is Pinterest's reverse engine search that allows users to searches using images. Some of these users make purchases linked to pictures they have liked and pinned.  This feature is fantastic if your small business has - or can come up with - excellent visual elements. Vibrant pictures will draw users to your products or services and generate a ton of traffic for you. But don't dive into Pinterest marketing without knowing anything about keyword research and SEO.

About 70% of Pinterest's users are female, so you'll do better if your brand centers on women and more feminine products. Lifestyle, fashion, arts and crafts are the niches that perform best on this platform. 

• LinkedIn — the best for networking and showcasing expertise

LinkedIn is an expanding platform that targets individual professionals and companies alike. It has a higher transactional atmosphere, as its users tend to have a higher net worth than other social media platforms.

Opt to use LinkedIn if you are a professional who is looking to network or has opinionated or expert content to contribute (like thought-pieces, tutorials, or expert tips). Its in-built publishing platform is also an excellent opportunity to draw in traffic to your website.

You can also use LinkedIn ads to your advantage, as the ads are more tailored to specific professions and levels based on education, experience, or title.

LinkedIn is generally a great platform for exhibiting your brand in a professional way. It also makes an excellent platform for connecting with other companies (B2B).

Social media can either make or break your business. If you're not social media savvy, you can still reap social media's multiple benefits for your business by hiring an expert social media manager.

If that sounds good to you, call me now / visit my website.