Running an online shop through Shopify or WooCommerce? Whether you’re selling handcrafted jewellery, eco-friendly skincare, or curated gift boxes, social media is your shop window to the world.

As a Virtual Assistant based in Wendover near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, I often help small businesses boost their visibility using clever digital marketing techniques that don’t require a big team or budget. In this blog, I’m sharing practical ways to use social media to increase sales and get your products in front of the right audience.

Why Social Media Works for Small Online Shops

Social media platforms are more than just places to scroll past cat videos. They’re powerful sales tools that help customers discover products they didn’t even know they needed. Using visual platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, you can:

• Build a loyal following
• Increase traffic to your Shopify or WooCommerce shop
• Show off your products in real-life settings
• Encourage impulse buying through tagged posts and stories

Best of all, the tools are free to use – and with the right strategy, they can become one of your strongest sales channels.

Know Where Your Customers Hang Out

Not every platform suits every product. Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right ones:

• Instagram: Perfect for visual products like fashion, art, skincare, or homewares. Great for reels, product tags, and behind-the-scenes content.
• Facebook: Still strong for community-based selling. You can also post in local groups (great for Wendover and Aylesbury-based businesses).
• Pinterest: Excellent for lifestyle inspiration and evergreen content. Pin your products and blogs for long-term visibility.
• Google Business Profile: Often overlooked but incredibly valuable. Make sure your profile is optimised so your products appear when people search locally or by category.

We’ll be looking at how to integrate with Google Shopping and Maps in a future blog, so keep an eye out.

Make Your Products Shareable

Before you start posting, check your online shop is ready for social sharing:

• Images: Use clear, high-quality images that reflect your brand
• Descriptions: Keep product titles short and engaging. Add meta descriptions and preview images
• Share Buttons: Add Instagram or Facebook sharing buttons to product pages
• Sync Tools: Shopify and WooCommerce have built-in or plugin tools to make social sharing seamless

Pro tip: WooCommerce users can add the Instagram Feed plugin, while Shopify users can link their product catalogue to Instagram and Facebook for automatic tagging.

What to Post: Social Content Ideas That Sell

You don’t have to be on camera every day. Instead, focus on content that showcases your products and adds value. Here are a few ideas:

• Product spotlights: Highlight one product per post with a direct link
• Customer reviews: Share testimonials and photos
• How-to content: Show how to use or style your products
• Behind-the-scenes: Packing orders, making products, or workspace tours
• Seasonal content: Themes like “Back to School”, “Mother’s Day Gifts”, or “Winter Warmers”
• Stories: Use Instagram or Facebook stories for quick updates or product highlights

Use Social Selling Features

If you’re on Instagram or Facebook, make sure you’re using their shopping tools:

• Instagram Shopping: Tag your products directly in posts and stories
• Facebook Shops: Sync your catalogue and let users browse in-app
• Pinterest Product Pins: Set up rich pins for easier discovery

These features work even better when your online shop is properly integrated with each platform. If you’re not sure how to set this up, that’s something a Virtual Assistant can support you with.

Don’t Post and Ghost – Stay Active

Consistency matters. Aim to:

• Post 3–5 times a week
• Respond to comments and DMs
• Share stories or reels for quick wins
• Join local Facebook groups (great for Buckinghamshire-based sellers!)

If you struggle to stay on top of everything, try using scheduling tools like Later or Metricool. Or outsource your content calendar to someone like Red Desk!

Track What Works

Use platform insights and your shop’s analytics (Shopify or WooCommerce dashboards) to see what gets clicks and conversions.

Keep an eye on:

• Which posts bring in the most traffic
• What formats perform best (images, carousels, reels)
• What days/times work best for your audience

Then, tweak your approach based on what the data tells you.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be everywhere. Just show up consistently on the platforms that suit your audience and product type. With a bit of planning, and some help from a Virtual Assistant if needed, social media can become your shop’s best friend.

And if you’re based in Wendover, Aylesbury or anywhere in Buckinghamshire and need support with your Shopify or WooCommerce shop, Red Desk is here to help.

Coming Soon:

• Want to Be Found on Google? Connect Your Shopify or WooCommerce Store Today

• Shopify vs WooCommerce: Choosing the Best Platform for SEO & Sales

Need help getting your socials and shop in sync? Let’s chat!