Five things worth sharing from the last week or so, brought to you by a different member of the Browser Media team every Friday.
This week’s My Five is by Will.
1. Facebook Shops
This week Facebook and Instagram have expanded their e-commerce capabilities by allowing businesses to sell products directly on both platforms. Facebook Shops is free to use and designed around mobile-first shopping, allowing users to either create a shop to buy items directly from Facebook or via the business’ site.
Brands are able to customise their shop slightly to make it feel more authentic and help to differentiate the shop from Facebook’s Marketplace. Users can access a brand’s Shop either via their Facebook page, Instagram page, or through Stories and ads.
Instagram Shops works in a similar fashion and allows users to discover and purchase products without leaving the app. These shops will be discoverable via the Explore section where users can find brands, filter categories, and purchase products. The feature will be rolled out in the US this summer and Instagram will be adding a dedicated ‘Shop’ tab in the navigation bar to allow brands to be found more easily.
Another feature that is currently being tested by both Facebook and Instagram gives users the ability to sell products in real-time during a live stream. Users can tag products from their Facebook Shop before starting the live stream which will be displayed and linked to at the bottom of the video during their broadcast.
Read more about the new features and what they mean for businesses here.
2. Google trends during COVID-19
So again I have failed in my attempt to write a coronavirus free My Five – there’s not much else going on at the moment… who knew?!
Google has recently released new research that highlights how consumers’ behaviour has changed as a result of COVID-19. The five key trends that have been highlighted by Google’s recent report include:
- Using multiple devices more frequently
- Greater reliance on Google search
- Discovering new connections and nurturing relationships online
- Adjusting their daily routines to be internet first
- Taking responsibility for their own and others’ self-care
These trends are hardly unsurprising due to the changes the majority of consumers are having to make to their everyday life. With users spending much more time at home it’s only natural that they will be more and more reliant on the world of online. Understanding how these changes may impact your business is vital, and there are some important lessons to be learnt from the way the world’s online behaviour has changed.
To view the full report, and for a greater understanding of each trend, click here.
3. Facebook Messenger Rooms
Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, Microsoft Teams; it’s likely that you will have used one of these video conferencing tools over the last few weeks for either work or to stay connected with friends and family. Well, as has been the case with a lot of things, Facebook has seen the popularity of these tools rise dramatically recently and decided they want in. As a result, Facebook has launched Messager Rooms, a new alternative to the ever-growing list of video conferencing tools.
Messenger Rooms is available on both desktop and mobile and allows up to 50 people to talk via video for an unlimited amount of time – take that, Zoom, with your 40-minute limit! However, users do need to be aware that unless the preferences are changed their room will be open to anyone they are friends with on Facebook, meaning they can join at any time. Additionally, their friends will see the Room at the top of their News Feed.
Will Message Rooms take the number one spot for video conferencing? That’s unclear at the moment. However, they have certainly made the most of the current situation and jumped straight onto the bandwagon by providing a platform that is in high demand at the moment.
4. Top tips for selling a flat
Landlords can be an interesting bunch. If you’re lucky enough to have one of the nice ones then it’s unlikely that you’ll have many problems. However, there are those who don’t have the same level of care for their properties or tenants. Believe me, I went to Uni and stayed in rented student houses, I know what landlords and their lovely rented properties can be like.
Earlier this week Twitter user @sandybactchelor shared a video they made on the request of their landlord who is looking for new tenants. Quite frankly it’s brilliant and extremely relatable.
https://twitter.com/sandybatchelor/status/1262038309456547840?s=09
5. Introducing… Meownuel Neuer
If you’re anything like me, one of the hardest things about lockdown is the lack of sport. Well, fear not because the internet has once again done what it does best and uncovered an absolute gem.
Introducing the hottest prospect on the goalkeeping scene, Meownuel Neuer (I’d love to take credit for the name but I can’t!)
https://twitter.com/chrismd10/status/1262431963371225091