In today’s digital age, a strong online presence isn’t just an option for businesses—it’s a necessity. With over 5 billion active social media users worldwide in 2025 [1], these platforms are no longer just for socializing; they have become a key part of how people discover and connect with brands online.
If your company fails to take advantage of social media, it risks being overshadowed by competitors who do.
In this article, we’ll explore why social media is crucial for businesses, how to establish a strong presence, and the best strategies to grow and engage with your audience.
Why Is Social Media Presence Important?
Businesses that are missing out on social media risk falling behind or even failing. Having a social media presence increases your chances of being seen by more customers, as social media usage continues to grow across all age groups.
Today, many people rely on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok to search for product recommendations or find the best restaurants in town. If your business isn’t present on these platforms, you’re missing valuable opportunities to attract potential customers.
Regardless of your industry, your competitors are likely already using social media, which means you risk being left behind. However, if your competitors haven’t taken advantage of social media yet, you have the opportunity to get ahead and establish your brand first.
A strong social media presence not only helps you keep up with the competition but also gives you an edge in your industry by making your business more visible and accessible to customers.
Social media allows your business to reach a wider audience, including niche and hard-to-find customers. According to industry statistics, 86% of professionals say that increased exposure is the top benefit of using social media for marketing, while 76% highlight increased traffic as a major advantage [2].
A strong social media presence acts as a marketing team that works for you around the clock, promoting your business without you ever leaving your home. Additionally, social media helps you connect with your audience, build a loyal community, and gather valuable feedback to grow and improve your business [3].
How to Set Up a Professional Social Media Presence
Now that you recognize the value of a strong social media presence, here are key steps to help you establish a powerful online presence and attract more leads to your business:
Know Your Target Audience
A strong social media presence begins with understanding your target customers — those most likely to be interested in your business’s products or services. By clearly defining your audience, you can allocate your advertising budget more effectively and tailor your content to meet their needs.
Start by segmenting your audience based on demographic characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, location, education level, and income. People with similar traits often exhibit similar behaviors; there are exceptions, of course. For example, if you own a sushi restaurant, your target audience might include individuals aged 18 to 45, particularly young professionals and students with a middle to high income — those more likely to invest in quality dining experiences[4].
Choose the Right Social Platform
After analyzing our target audience, the next step is identifying the platforms where they are most active.
Below is a list of descriptions and demographics of the most popular social media apps you can use [5]:
1. Facebook
- Monthly Active Users: Over 3 billion
- Largest Age Group: 25–34 years old
- Target Audience: Local businesses, nonprofits, and those interested in creating groups, offering customer service, or social advertising.
2. WhatsApp
- Monthly Active Users: Nearly 3 billion
- Largest Age Group: 26–35 years old
- Target Audience: Direct-to-consumer brands, especially for international customer service and timely updates. Popular among retailers and financial services.
3. YouTube
- Monthly Active Users: Over 2.5 billion
- Largest Age Group: 15–35 years old
- Target Audience: Industries like tech, gaming, food and beverage, beauty, and fashion.
4. Instagram
- Monthly Active Users: Around 2 billion
- Largest Age Group: 25–34 years old
- Target Audience: Travel, beauty, fashion, health/fitness, and influencer-driven industries. Especially beneficial for Gen Z and Millennial engagement through user-generated content, influencer marketing, and short-form video.
5. TikTok
- Monthly Active Users: Over 1.5 billion
- Largest Age Group: 10–29 years old
- Target Audience: Brands targeting younger demographics (Gen Z, Millennials) with short-form, authentic video content.
6. WeChat
- Monthly Active Users: Over 1.3 billion
- Largest Age Group: 31–40 years old (22% of users)
- Target Audience: Brands targeting Chinese-speaking markets and businesses with international reach, especially in China.
7. Reddit
- Monthly Active Users: 1.2 billion
- Largest Age Group: 20–29 years old
- Target Audience: Businesses interested in community-driven marketing and engaging in conversations.
8. LinkedIn
- Monthly Active Users: 1 billion
- Largest Age Group: 25–34 years old
- Target Audience: B2B companies, recruiters, thought leaders, and those in professional fields.
9. Telegram
- Monthly Active Users: 950 million
- Largest Age Group: 25–34 years old
- Target Audience: Businesses needing to connect with regional customers or those in countries with large Telegram user bases, like India.
10. Snapchat
- Daily Active Users: 800 million
- Largest Age Group: 15–25 years old
- Target Audience: Brands targeting Gen Z, especially those involved in events, experiences, and augmented reality (AR).
There are other social media platforms popular in different areas. Look for the most popular ones used in your region and by your target audience.
Brand Your Business online
Branding is a crucial element of your social media presence, setting you apart from competitors in your field. It’s about creating a unique voice that reflects your business’s core values.
Depending on your audience, you’ll need to define your brand’s tone — should it be casual and fun or professional and formal?
Choose colors, fonts, and aesthetics that align with your brand identity. Take your time selecting a logo and business name, as these will appear consistently across all your social media platforms, including your profile and cover photos.
Beyond visuals, craft a compelling brand story that explains why your business exists and what it stands for. Use this story to write a clear and engaging bio for your social media profiles, incorporating carefully chosen keywords to improve discoverability. And don’t forget to include your contact information, so potential customers can easily reach out to you [6][7].
Create authentic and Engaging Content
After setting up your social media profiles and defining your brand theme, it’s time to create authentic content that resonates with your customers. Your content should reflect your brand’s voice and values, allowing you to connect with your audience on a human level rather than just as a business.
Start by introducing your team and sharing behind-the-scenes content — this helps build a deeper connection with your audience. Engage with your followers by responding to comments and direct messages, making them feel heard and valued. Always research what interests your audience to ensure your content remains relevant and engaging.
A mix of educational and entertaining content can be highly effective. To streamline the process, create a content plan in advance and use scheduling tools available on most social media platforms. This will help you stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed. Regular posting and automation will help you grow your social media presence efficiently.
Additionally, consider collaborating with freelancers, which can help promote your business on their networks, expanding your reach [6][7].
Protecting Your Business’s Social Media from Phishing with Eydle
A strong social media presence is essential for your business, but protecting that presence from cyber threats is equally important. Phishing attacks on social media are more common than ever, with fraudsters using fake profiles and hacked accounts to deceive and manipulate users, your potential customers, into sharing sensitive information.
At Eydle, we safeguard your company’s online reputation with our AI-powered tool that scans your business’s social media profiles, DMs, and comments to detect phishing attempts before they can harm your business or customers.
Learn more about how Eydle can protect your business at www.eydle.com, or reach out to us at [email protected].
Sources:
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/617136/digital-population-worldwide/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/188447/influence-of-global-social-media-marketing-usage-on-businesses/
- https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesagencycouncil/2022/09/06/why-businesses-and-brands-need-to-be-taking-advantage-of-social-media/
- https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-target-audience
- https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-platforms/
- https://www.wix.com/blog/social-media-presence
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/build-social-media-presence
