Chapter 8: Social Commerce

Main Ideas

After reading this chapter I have found that social commerce shares a relationship with e commerce through a sub set. The difference is the use of social media and social media applications. This chapter also talks a lot about ratings and reviews because they are a form of product endorsements. Marketers use this to their advantage by allowing consumers to refer friends in exchange for premium benefits and offers. In all, social commerce is a digital shopping experience that enables online shoppers to interact through the use of social media applications.

Strengths and Weaknesses
From all of the chapters we have covered in this course I feel this chapter was the most short and concise. I liked how it discussed the different uses of social shopping and social commerce and how it can be beneficial to the consumer and the retailer. I also liked how it talked about the psychology of social shopping because it plays a big part in the decision process a consumer makes before finalizing their purchase. However, this chapter could have covered more on the social commerce shopping process, and the tools retailers use to get consumers to want to continue repurchasing from them.

Shopping Through Ads
I love shopping online! I don't usually go to malls or department stores because I don't care for fighting through crowds of people just to get to one store. Also, after shopping for so long it can become very exhausting so in turn I prefer to online shop. I also have found that by shopping online stores have more products that aren't sold in store so you get a better deal. I have shopped through plenty of ads on social media, usually if I see something I like I just click on it and go from there!

Ratings and Reviews
When it comes to ratings and reviews I always look at them first before purchasing anything or when I am trying something new. I have found them to be very helpful and useful in the end. Now, when asked if I prefer reviews more from customers or experts I would say customers. Although experts provide valid information for products, I think customers are more genuine about their experience. Not every customer is the same, however I feel a better relation to customer reviews on products rather than experts because I more than likely will think the same.

Social Commerce Tools
In the book on page 175 there is a table that provides a list of social shopping ads and social commerce tools. A few sites that are listed include Hallmark, Yelp, Facebook, and Google. I believe that Yelp and Google are social shopping ads that provide utility, while Hallmark and Facebook provide fun. In my opinion the aspect that is most important to shoppers is price. If a shopper feels they are not getting a good deal on a product, or that they can find it somewhere else for a better price they are more likely to stray away from the site and not purchase the item. I as an active online shopper am always looking for items that are of value and appropriately priced. In the end, consumers never want to spend more than they have to.