Most businesses interact with customers and others via social media. In fact, engagement is more important now than ever before. A large part of the reason for this engagement is connecting and interacting with customers on a personal level, in a way that feels meaningful. But for this to happen, customers need to know your company is on social media in the first place.
Social media experts have also said that a company that doesn’t have a social media presence looks very unprofessional, outdated and out of sync.
One of the most effect methods to connect with customers and build an online following is to embed social media feeds into your website.
What is Embedding?
Embedding is the process of integration your social media feeds onto your website. The goal is to redirect social media followers and customers to your website. These are usually also your target audience.
Not only does this bring in your target audience, but embedding also acts as a lead generator, which may increase the conversion to sales.
Ultimately, embedding closes the loop between social media platforms and your website. This works to increase engagement with customers, as well as draw them to your site. Embedding also helps bring in new customers. Not only that but embedding builds your company’s credibility at the same time.
In addition, embedding social media also works to increase the time visitors stay on your site. Once on the site, they have the chance to read content, engage with your company, and perhaps convert into paying customers.
The Benefits of Embedding Social Media on Your Site
We’ve looked at a couple of the benefits your business can enjoy by embedding social media feeds on your website. Here are a few more that may help convince you of the importance of tying in your website and social media feeds:
Social media makes site more interactive: if your website doesn’t have much on it to keep visitors engaged, the site will more than likely have a high bounce rate. To keep people on the site, they need some interesting content, which can include social media feeds. Embedding social media feeds makes the site more interesting and active. This can keep visitors on the site longer and they’ll learn more about your company and brand in the process.
Increases connections: when your site includes social media feeds, site visitors and potential customers have the opportunity to start a conversation and ask questions. They may want more information about your company and/or the products and services you sell. By reading social media feeds, they can also see reviews, comment, and more. Dialogue is engagement, which can lead to conversions (as in paying customers).
Expands social following: this is a great way to get the word out about your company. In fact, you might view social media as a type of free advertising for your business. Not only do more people here about your company, but the learn more about the brand, the products/services, and more. Most people won’t make a purchase until they feel more acquainted with the company. Social media is a great way to familiarize visitors and potential customers with your brand.
These are only three of the ways embedding social media feeds can help your website and business. However, you get the idea—it’s to get the news out there about your company, brand, and products/services.
How to Embed Social Media on Your Website
Embedding sounds like it would be a difficult process, but we’ve come up the steps needed to embed some of the most popular social media platforms with your site. The process generally involves using tools that each social media site provides. Let’s get started.
Facebook: this social media site provides a plug-in generator to embed the feed on your website. All you have to do is click “Get Code,” and Facebook generates an HTML and JavaScript code to put on your site. That’s it!
Instagram: does not provide a plug-in generator to make things easy. Instead, you’ll need to use some other tools. First, check your web host to see if you already have Instagram built in. Examples of tools include ProPhoto or SquareSpace. For those who have WordPress, there’s the Instagram Feed Plugin by Small Balloon. This works to connect your site and Instagram.
Other Instagram tools include InstaWidget (works like Facebook’s plugin), LightWidget and SnapWidget. Each of these tools has their own pros and cons, and some of their better solutions may cost money.
Twitter: doesn’t offer a plugin, but it does help you create a widget. All you need to do is go to “Settings,” and there create a widget that you copy and paste the code. That’s it. Twitter will ask if you want a widget that embeds a profile, list, collection, search or likes. After making your choice, just enter in the Twitter URL and then follow the instructions. You’ll need to “Copy Code” in order to embed the widget onto your site.
Pinterest: does have a widget builder. Just follow the instructions to obtain the code for your website.
Other Options to Embed Social Media on Your Website
If you’re not comfortable with creating the code and pasting this into your website, there are some other options to getting your social media feeds embedded. These include working with companies that specialize in these services. These are excellent options for anyone who doesn’t have much coding experience, too.
Not only does these companies embed your social media feeds, but they’ll also make sure the feeds are up to date and match the style of your website when changes are made.
Here are some of the most popular companies to use for embedding:
Curator: is a social media aggregator, which can be used to embed feeds. They offer a free plan (that supports up to three feeds), and then go up from there. They have a plan that is $200/month and can support up to 15 feeds. They also offer custom plans.
Juicer: has a wide range of plans. Their free plan is for two source accounts. Then they have a $99/month plan that allows up to 15 source accounts.
Taggbox: is another social media aggregator that provides embedding services. Their plans begin at $19/month.
Embed Social: offers a slightly different service with a feed aggregator, review collection and photo syncing. They also have a wide range of plans, with embedding starting at $29/month for three sources. Their plans go all the way up to $99/month for 15 sources.
Summing It Up
Integrating social media feeds with your website is a win, no matter how you look at it. When site visitors learn more about your company, read reviews, and more, they learn who you are and what your company has to offer. You’ll have more people staying on the site longer, which can lead to higher conversion rates, which is the best benefit of all.
