The Value of Social Media for Small Businesses: Why It Can’t Be Ignored

Social media isn’t just for big brands or influencers- it’s a game-changer for small businesses.. With over 5.3 billion users worldwide spending an average of 2.3 hours daily on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, the opportunity to connect, convert, and scale is greater than ever. In fact, studies show that 96% of small businesses actively use social media, and 90% rely on it to drive revenue. From customer acquisition to brand loyalty and direct sales, the value of social media for small businesses is undeniable—and it’s only growing.

Why Social Media Is Non-Negotiable in 2025

Reach Where Your Customers Already Are

Small businesses no longer have to fight for billboard space or invest in expensive TV commercials. Social media offers hyper-targeted, scalable, and measurable access to your exact audience. In 2025, this is where the discovery journey begins:

• 58% of users discover new brands via social media, especially through engaging visuals and influencer content.
• Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are becoming digital storefronts where product discovery leads directly to purchase, particularly via Reels and live shopping events.
• Localized targeting enables small businesses to reach users by zip code, interest, or behavior, allowing for highly efficient customer acquisition.

Did You Know?: A local candle shop in Austin, TX, started posting raw, behind-the-scenes Reels of their candle-making process. They paired this with targeted collaborations with local influencers who shared similar aesthetic and wellness values. In just six months, their Instagram following grew from 900 to over 12,000. This social boost translated into a 5x increase in in-store sales and allowed them to expand into wholesale orders with local boutiques.

Build Relationships That Drive Sales

What sets social media apart is its ability to build trust. Unlike ads that interrupt, social lets your brand interact. Responding to comments, sharing stories, and having real-time conversations fosters relationships that convert.

• Customers who engage with a brand on social media spend 35–40% more compared to those who don’t.
• 76% of users say a positive interaction on social media makes them more likely to recommend the brand.

💡 Pro Tip: Use tools like Deepsolv to automate replies and DMs based on comment intent and tone. This keeps engagement flowing even during off hours, and ensures each message feels brand-authentic.

Tangible Business Outcomes Driven by Social Media

💰 Revenue & ROI

Social isn’t just about vanity metrics- it drives bottom-line results. Done right, your content becomes a lead magnet and sales channel.

• Seltzer Goods, a home goods brand, leaned into Facebook and Instagram ads using visually appealing product mockups and community memes. They achieved a 9.68× return on ad spend and more than tripled their monthly sales.

TikTok helped Enchanted Scrunch, a small accessories brand, evolve from hobby to high-volume D2C seller. After consistently posting packaging videos, user testimonials, and “how we started” stories, they scaled to 500+ orders per week, with over 170k followers in less than 12 months.

📣 Customer Acquisition & Lead Generation

The journey from scroll to sale is often shorter than you think.

• 63% of customers say they intend to visit a business after a positive social media interaction.
• 48% of users make a purchase after seeing a product or service on social media, with higher conversion rates from short-form video formats like Reels and TikToks.

Example: A local boutique gym in Brooklyn used 15-second Instagram Stories showing quirky trainer moments and client wins. This real, unscripted content helped them triple inquiries and bookings, particularly among new movers to the area.

💡 Use UTM links, custom promo codes, and IG shopping features to measure which posts convert best.

Platform-Specific Strategies for Small Biz

Instagram

Best for: Visual brands, local stores, fitness, food, fashion, art

• Use Reels for product walkthroughs, tutorials, or day-in-the-life stories.
• Combine educational content with relatable behind-the-scenes moments.
• Leverage niche hashtags + timing strategies (see this guide) to increase visibility.

TikTok

Best for: Viral-ready products, personality-led brands, DIY or process-driven creators

• Create short, punchy content using trending audio.
• Use TikTok Live for product reveals or Q&A.
• Stitch or duet trending content with a brand twist.

Facebook

Best for: Local discovery, older demographics, home services, retail

• Leverage community groups to build brand advocates.
• Target geo-specific audiences with paid campaigns.
• Run storytelling carousels and reviews in your feed to build trust.

How Automation Supercharges Your Results

Manual engagement doesn’t scale. AI-powered tools designed for small businesses like Deepsolv- make it possible to maintain meaningful interactions without burning hours daily:

• Auto-reply to high-intent comments like “Price?”, “Menu?”, or “Available?” with instant DMs.
• Trigger keyword-based workflows that deliver discounts, links, or product guides.
• Segment followers by behavior (e.g. clicked vs. non-clicked DMs).
• Retarget engaged users with tailored follow-up content.

These tools replicate high-touch interaction- without the cost or time drain of a dedicated social team. Customers feel heard. Brands stay consistent. Sales go up.

Real-World Wins: Success Stories

📌 Noble Leather Co. (TikTok)

Kyle, the founder of Noble Leather Co., began sharing hand-stitching videos of wallets and belts. One particular video showing the slow stitching of a monogrammed wallet exploded to 30 million views. Within weeks, he had a backlog of orders and reached 6-figure sales. His account, now at over 1.5 million followers, thrives on ASMR-style process videos and minimal narration, proving even traditional craftsmanship can thrive online.

Conclusion: Social Is Your Growth Engine

Social media isn’t a “nice to have”- it’s a non-negotiable growth channel for small businesses in 2025. It’s where people discover, evaluate, and emotionally connect with brands.

With tools like Deepsolv, small business owners no longer need to choose between quality engagement and operational efficiency. You can:

• Automatically reply to comments
• Send human-sounding DMs
• Segment and retarget leads

All while staying true to your brand voice and connecting authentically with your audience.

If you want to automate your engagement without losing your brand’s soul, book a free demo with Deepsolv today.