Role of Consumer Behaviour
Role of Consumer Behaviour
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underscores this phenomenon, revealing that 64% of enhanced and expedited customer service, brands have
marketers have either integrated Instagram Stories into their transitioned to leveraging social media as a channel for
social media strategies or have imminent plans to do so prompt assistance, a far cry from its previous sluggishness.
(Hootsuite 2019 Social Trends Survey, 12). The current landscape enables brands to be available for
customer support almost around the clock, taking full
2.2.2. Social commerce advantage of social media's heightened visibility. This
heightened visibility underscores the imperative for brands
For an extended period, brands have harnessed social to adeptly manage customer interactions, ensuring a positive
media platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook reputation (Newberry, 2020).
to bolster their sales across diverse products and services
(Sovann 2019). Integrating social commerce into marketing 2.2.6. Social listening
strategies has evolved into a customary practice, poised to
amplify its impact over time (Influencer Marketing Hub Social media offers an ideal platform for gathering
2020). Reinforcing this progression, social media platforms valuable data and insights that businesses can harness to
introduce novel features like shoppable posts and refine their social media marketing strategies (Influencer
Instagram's Storefronts, effectively transforming social Marketing Hub 2020). Establishing a robust brand
networks into contemporary retail hubs (Sovann 2019). reputation is pivotal, and to achieve this, brands can glean
Social commerce is rapidly maturing into a pivotal abundant information through social listening. This practice
component of marketers' sales approaches. involves vigilantly tracking a brand's social media channels
to capture customer feedback, explicit brand mentions, or
2.2.3. Video content discussions revolving around designated keywords, subjects,
or competitors. Subsequent analysis of this data yields
In 2020, video content has surged as the most rapidly valuable insights (Amaresan 2020).
growing trend, having been adeptly leveraged by numerous
brands with notably positive outcomes. Varied forms of 2.3. Social media marketing
video content, encompassing short-form videos like those on
TikTok or Stories, and long-form videos as seen on Real-time information sharing has revolutionized
YouTube, are poised to shape the future of social media business dynamics, prompting companies to elevate their
content (Influencer Marketing, 2020). In a Cisco study social media marketing within overarching marketing plans.
(Cisco Annual Internet Report 2020), projections indicate Social media marketing is now an integral facet of
that video content will encompass a significant 82% of all contemporary digital marketing, as defined by Dave
social media and advertising content by 2022. This Chaffey, Smart Insight's content director, as the attainment
comprehensive analysis underscores the imperative of of marketing objectives through digital technologies and
integrating video content into brands' marketing strategies to media. This encompasses diverse online presences like
remain competitive in the realm of social media marketing. websites, mobile apps, and social media pages (Chaffey
2020).
2.2.4. Influencer marketing Tailored to distinct platforms, social media marketing
aligns with companies' objectives, leveraging varied
While not a nascent concept, influencer marketing methods for promoting products and services. Recent
has assumed heightened significance within brands' research by Simon Kemp and Datareportal (2020) reveals
marketing blueprints, solidifying its enduring relevance. A rapid global growth, with over 3.96 billion users and a 10%
notable evolution lies in the recent shift away from mega- increase in the past year, signifying more than half of the
influencers (>1 million followers), with brands gravitating world's populace engaging with social media (Gilliand
towards macro influencers (40,000-1 million followers) due 2020). Evidently, this piques marketers' interest, as 31% of
to their enhanced credibility and consumer trust (Digital customers employ social media for pre-sale inquiries
Marketing Institute). Consequently, marketers now favor (Mangles 2017).
collaborations with smaller, niche-relevant influencers over Yet, the surge in social media usage also unveils challenges.
relying solely on one or two mega-influencers (Influencer Intense content saturation and heightened competition for
Marketing Hub 2020). Such influencers yield heightened visibility render it arduous for companies to stand out
engagement rates among their followers and entail lower (Mangles 2017).
costs. Significantly, 49% of consumers acknowledge their
reliance on influencer recommendations on social media as a
crucial factor guiding their purchasing decisions (Digital
3.CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR ON SOCIAL
Marketing Institute). MEDIA
2.2.5. Customer service interaction Users log into their social media accounts primarily
for enjoyment, relaxation, connection, information, and
Historically, social media served as a space for user entertainment. With the emergence of social media as a
interaction, communication, and the sharing of visual retail platform, convenience has transformed consumer
content. However, its contemporary role has expanded behavior. A Global Web Index study (2018) indicates that
significantly, transforming into not only a retail platform but 54% of users now employ social media to research products
also a vehicle for product discovery and customer service before purchase, reflecting a shift from social interaction to
(Influencer Marketing Hub 2020). Recognizing the need for product exploration.
expands, precision targeting and retargeting options aligned closely with the theoretical framework, investigating
empower brands for strategic marketing maneuvers, the impact of social media on purchasing decisions
optimizing resources (FitzGerald 2019). concerning why, when, and how. Initial inquiries covered
demographics, while subsequent sections delved into social
3.4. Cross-Channel shopping media usage and its influence on purchasing choices.
Conducted from September 24 to October 15, 2020, the
Cross-channel shopping is a burgeoning trend, where survey yielded 139 responses.
the majority of online consumers engage in online browsing
but opt for offline purchases, often in physical brand stores 5. DATA ANALYSIS AND KEY RESULTS
(Brennan & al. 2012, 49.). This involves consumers
gathering information, price comparisons, and even making
The subsequent segment outlines the analysis
purchase decisions online, subsequently choosing to buy in-
conducted on the data extracted from the online survey.
store. The business advantages of cross-channel shopping
Initial inquiries encompassed demographic details, namely
encompass comprehensive information availability,
gender, age, and financial status. This approach aimed to
fostering brand loyalty (Gilliland 2017).
discern potential divergences in the impact of social media
Cross-channel shopping enhances customers' retail
on decision-making across these demographics. The data
experiences, providing added value (Gilliland 2017).
reveals a distribution of 37% male and 63% female
Prominent corporations have implemented innovative
respondents.
strategies, such as online orders with in-store pickup, same-
day local delivery, and seamless online-to-store returns.
These initiatives not only deepen customer engagement but
also facilitate decision-making through diverse payment and
return options. Remarkably, consumers who interact both
online and in-store exhibit higher spending tendencies,
sometimes 50% or more above average shoppers (Csek
Creative).
4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The data indicates a distinct trend: TikTok, Snapchat, and identification of alternatives. Additionally, it plays a
and Pinterest are exclusively popular among respondents role in instigating new needs by presenting enticing products
aged 15 to 35. Conversely, participants aged 46 to 55 and services. The "how" lies in its ability to deliver tailored
display lesser engagement across various social media content, which shapes consumer opinions and influences the
platforms. Echoing Dataportal's findings (refer to figure 2), trajectory of the buying process, contingent on individual
Facebook emerges as the dominant choice across multiple attitudes and social media behaviors.
age brackets. Notably, Instagram claims the highest usage In conclusion, this study's findings affirm that
among individuals aged 15 to 25. consumers actively employ social media to validate
purchase decisions and gather pertinent information. The
5.1. Results analysis research proceeded as planned, yielding insights into social
media marketing, consumer purchasing behavior, and the
The analyzed findings underscore the significant role reciprocal communication dynamic intrinsic to social media
of social media in shaping purchase behavior, particularly in platforms. Overcoming challenges in garnering a diverse
information seeking. Consumers readily embrace social respondent pool from various platforms, the research
media as a rapid information source and exhibit remained within the envisioned timeline, culminating in
receptiveness to targeted ads, leading to confident current and valuable results.
purchases. Remarkably, age and financial stability exhibit
no substantial influence on social media engagement or 6.1. Limitations
purchase choices. Paradoxically, despite Generation Z's
familiarity with social media, their opinions on its effects on The findings and conclusions of this research hold
purchasing behavior diverge considerably. validity exclusively within the chosen population, and
The study endorses the efficacy of employing social cannot be universally applied due to divergent
media influencers for marketing, given their broad environmental influences and individual respondent
intergenerational reach. Brands should prioritize active viewpoints. To establish results reflective of broader
social media engagement to foster consumer trust, deliver consumer social media behavior and the extent of its impact
swift customer service, and facilitate product information on purchasing, a more expansive and quantitative
accessibility. Although consumers mainly rely on personal geographical study is imperative.
connections and knowledge for decisions, social media Given the constrained timeframe and scope,
undeniably aids shopping, expediting informed choices. As numerous theories pertinent to social media and consumer
social media's significance in purchasing decisions is purchasing behavior were explored, albeit in a generalized
already evident, its impact is poised to deepen with manner. This approach aimed to offer readers an
advancing technology. overarching understanding of the subject matter.
6. CONCLUSION
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© 2023, IJSREM | www.ijsrem.com DOI: 10.55041/IJSREM25382 | Page 6
International Journal of Scientific Research in Engineering and Management (IJSREM)
Volume: 07 Issue: 08 | August - 2023 SJIF Rating: 8.176 ISSN: 2582-3930
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