Social media is an important aspect of a business. Especially for small businesses who want to grow their customer base. These platforms have millions of users and the potential exposure you can achieve is immense. Social media is also a key tool for boosting search engine rankings.

There is no denying that choosing which social media platforms to use can be daunting. There is a huge range of websites - all of which could potentially be useful. To help, we have outlined six specific platforms that are the most beneficial to small businesses - enjoy!

1. Facebook

Although the usage and purpose of Facebook have changed in recent times, it still remains a viable platform for small businesses. Millions of people use Facebook daily and creating a Facebook business page is a solid way to boost engagement and drive customers to your website.

2. Instagram

Instagram has surged in popularity and it is now one of the most popular social media platforms for entrepreneurs and small businesses. You can amass a large following on Instagram and drive exposure to your website. In some cases, you can even directly sell and promote products within your posts.

Utilizing features like Instagram stories will help boost customer interaction, and show what your business is all about.

3. Twitter

Twitter is a relatively simple social media platform to use and it doesn’t require a huge effort. The tweets you make will be short and effective and you can boost engagement and exposure for your business with minimal effort. When using Twitter, be sure to include images or videos in your tweets, and search for popular hashtags that relate to your business and products/services.

4. Pinterest

Pinterest is an absolute gold mine for content and ideas. This is the social media platform small businesses can use for inspiration, but also to share their own creativity. You can create interesting pins, but also include your pins in website content like blogs to drive backlinks and improve SEO.

5. YouTube

In the last five years, YouTube has transformed into a viable platform where content creators and businesses can make money and promote themselves. You could use YouTube to share product videos or to create vlogs for example. Aside from increased exposure, if you build your subscribers, it can also provide a source of income.

6. LinkedIn

Lastly, we have LinkedIn. This is a platform for professionals and businesses. LinkedIn is a useful tool for networking, and building your list of industry contacts. It can serve as a promotional tool too, but primarily it can help find other professionals like suppliers, marketers, or complementary businesses who may be willing to work with your brand.

If you are starting a new business venture, it is important to consider social media. It has excellent potential and can really boost your exposure. 

When using these platforms, also remember to have a consistent brand and voice. This is important so your customers can recognize your brand and its quality. To do this, ensure your posts and imagery contain your logo. You could use a site like Logo Creator to produce one. Also, use a consistent color scheme, and try to use consistent language and phrases.

You must also be restrained, however, and not try to do too much. To start, consider concentrating on 2-3 of these platforms. Build a solid audience and improve engagement before trying to tackle more. Eventually, as your business grows, you could also consider hiring someone to manage your social media content as the task becomes more time-consuming.