The majority of consumers follow a brand on social sites.

Brands using parcel delivery and courier services to send their goods to customers are likely to be followed on social networking sites by consumers, a new study has found.

Some 60 per cent of people keep up with a brand on the likes of Facebook, Twitter or Foursquare, according to a survey of 15,000 US and Canadian shoppers by Empathica.

Forty per cent said this was to search for coupons or offers, while 30 per cent did so to gather extra information.

Identifying the triggers that make consumers want to follow their brand and further engage with them is the main challenge for companies, said Gary Edwards from Empathica.

"Our survey results suggest consumers show preference to interacting with brands that offer coupons and promotions via social media outlets," he added.

"It's important for brands to recognise consumer preferences and what will help encourage them to visit an establishment."

According to a recent study from eMarketer, 60 per cent of Canadian internet users visit social media sites.

Posted by Rob Elliott 

Article Added: 07/12/2010 16:39:34