There’s no surprising how helpful social networking sites are. These are effective online marketing tools that help companies get closer to their target market and promote their products and services. People around the world are using social networking sites every day. And getting into social media marketing gives businesses a huge market reach.
What about IT purchases, how are they related to social networks? Social networks and IT have a give and take relationship. Social networks use IT developments to help them reach the market and complete transactions. On the other hand, IT purchasing decisions are greatly influenced by social networks too and this is what we will be focusing on today.
How important is this relationship between social networks and IT decision makers?
* The survey was called “IT Purchasing Goes Social”. The total number of subjects was 400 and all of them were IT buyers. 73 percent of the total number of subjects said that they have bought from a vendor in a social network.
* According to the same survey, 60 percent said that their purchasing decisions were influenced by social networks.
* Why do they need social networks to help in the decision making? That’s because decision makers want to hear from trusted sources (buyers like them), to gather information on a product quickly and to gain access to a network of IT decision makers.
The social networks and IT relationship are highly beneficial to all IT buyers. When you go to social networking sites like LinkedIn, you can join groups that focus on discussing IT spending management issues. These groups will allow you to learn more information to make wise decisions about your purchase. Further, you can learn more about the products, negotiation process and product reviews too.
With the continuous advancement in technology, IT purchases will continue to evolve too. Although there are still plenty of areas unexplored between the social networks and IT relationship, you can expect that social networks will continue to play a more vital role in the future. One thing that we can all look forward to is if social networks can actually hurt IT purchases too?
IT products are valuable and because of this, the prices for the products are high. Some expensive prices are worth it while some are don’t. Know the difference and make a good investment.
Joseph B. Kappernick specializes in helping Fortune 500 companies save money. He recommends that you visit NPI to learn more about it cost reduction solution service consulting
