How Consumers Use Social Networks to Connect with Food Retailers: Facebook Ads

To begin, it is important to note that only 18% of the respondents with active Facebook accounts responded that they posted on a business’s page.   However, there were some important differences across demographic groups.  For example, 30% of those in the highest income category had posted on a business’s page. This compares to no more than 23% in any other income group.  Also, as you might imagine, younger respondents were more likely to post on a business’s page. At least 21% of those between the ages of 18 to 48 years old posted.  That figure falls to less 3% for those 65 and older (Table 1).

 Table 1.  Percent of survey participants in each age group that posted on a business’s Facebook page.

To attract more Facebook users to a business’s page, a business can purchase Facebook ads.  These can be effective as demonstrated by the fact that nearly 54% of our survey participant ts reported that they had clicked an ad.  As seen in Table 2, fewer than 12% clicked an ad to make a purchase. More popular reasons to click on ads included: to visit the business’s website, to “like” the business, or to accept an invitation to an event.

Table 2.  Reasons why survey participants who clicked on Facebook ads. 

As seen below, younger users were much more likely to click on a Facebook ad (Table 3).  Also, the likelihood of clicking on a Facebook ad increased with the respondent’s education level (Table 4).

Table 3.  Percent of survey participants in each age group who had clicked on a Facebook ad.

Table 4.  Percent of survey participants in each education group who have clicked on a Facebook ad.

Data presented above indicates that younger participants and those with higher levels of education were more likely to click on Facebook ads.  Crafting ads that appeal to these audiences can help promote interactivity.  Once you have developed you Facebook ad, be certain to test its appeal with your target audience.  You may find that their responses alert you about issues that you might not otherwise have noticed. 

In the next article, we will present data that discusses demographic characteristics of those who shares content on Facebook and with whom they are sharing.  To view the entire YouTube series, please visit http://bit.ly/wWIXto.