10 Most Popular Social Media Websites for Your Business in 2024

From small businesses reaching global audiences to individuals finding communities by sharing their interests, the benefits of social media networks are vast. To highlight how powerful social media can be, take the example of a fitness enthusiast who continuously posts workout tips and routines on YouTube and gradually attracts a large following, leading to lots of sponsorship deals.

Or take a small bakery owner who showcases her delicious creations on her Facebook page through engaging posts and targeted ads. She not only built a loyal customer base but also had her sales skyrocket.

But again, for marketers, even if there are a bunch of platforms available, not every social media platform works for every business. In this article, we will take a look at the leading platforms that you can utilise to expand your brand reach.

What is a social media network?

A social media network is an interactive platform through which people and even communities communicate with each other, sharing their thoughts, likes and posts content.

In other words, Social Media Networks are social software or communication tools which work as a mediator of human communication. This includes music, photos, videos, comments, likes, shares, notes etc.

Why social media?

It is truly amazing how the use and growth of the internet and social networking is impacting every aspect of our lives.

On an average, about 90% of the people use social media for nearly a quarter of the total time they spend on the internet.

Apart from keeping in touch with our friends, social media networks also play an important role in today’s competitive marketing world. Establishing a presence on social media boosts the visibility of your brand through regular posts, engaging content, and consistent messaging.

Also, it enables direct interaction with your targeted customer. Compared to traditional advertising, social media marketing is more affordable and easier to run. On top of that, you get immediate feedback on your content and campaigns.

List of popular social media sites

The below picture shows the list of most popular social networking sites worldwide as of April 2024, by number of monthly users active in social media (in millions).

Source: Statista

What are the best social media platforms for 2024

If you want to promote your business on social media, we suggest the following 10 platforms.

1. Facebook

Launch date: February 2004

Monthly active users: Around 3.7 billion

Most used for: Facebook is widely used for social networking, connecting with friends and family, sharing photos and videos, joining groups, and engaging with a variety of content, including news, events, and entertainment.

Facebook provides businesses with a comprehensive platform to reach and engage with a vast audience. With features like Pages, Groups, and Marketplace, businesses can promote their products and services, interact with customers, and build communities. Facebook’s powerful advertising tools, such as targeted ads and boosted posts, allow businesses to reach specific demographics and interests.

Key benefits for businesses:

• Extensive reach with a diverse user base
• Advanced targeting options for ads
• Opportunities for community building through Pages and Groups
• Integration with Instagram for cross-platform marketing
• Tools for customer engagement and support

2. YouTube

Launch date: February 2005

Monthly active users: Around 2.5 billion

Most used for: YouTube is predominantly used for sharing and watching videos. It is a major platform for video content across various genres, including tutorials, entertainment, music, vlogs, business marketing, brand promotion, and educational content.

YouTube is one of the most popular social media services today, providing a space for individuals, businesses, and creators to share their videos and reach a global audience. YouTube channels are where you can upload, organise, and showcase your video content. The platform offers various advertising options, including pre-roll ads, display ads, and sponsored content.

Key benefits for businesses:

• Extensive reach with a global audience
• Versatile video content opportunities across various genres
• Affordable advertising options compared to other forms of media
• Ability to repurpose and evergreen content
• Direct engagement with viewers through comments and community posts

3. Instagram

Launch date: October 2010

Monthly active users: Around 2 billion

Most used for: Instagram is widely used for sharing photos and videos. It’s a major platform for brand promotion, influencer marketing, and connecting with followers through visually compelling content.
This visually-driven social networking site is ideal for businesses and creators who are looking to engage a global audience through eye-catching photos, videos, and stories.

The interactive features like Stories, Reels, and IGTV allow for creative and interactive content, while its shopping functionality helps businesses directly connect with potential customers. Also, Instagram’s advertising options, such as photo ads, video ads, carousel ads, and story ads, make it a versatile tool for reaching and engaging your target audience.

Key benefits for businesses:

• High engagement with visually appealing content
• Effective for brand building and influencer collaborations
• Advanced targeting options for ads
• Shopping features for direct sales

4. WhatsApp

Launch date: January 2009

Monthly active users: Around 2 billion

Most used for: WhatsApp is primarily used for personal communication. It is also used by businesses to engage with customers, provide support, and conduct transactions.

WhatsApp offers businesses a direct and personal way to connect with their customers through one-on-one chats and group messages. The platform supports text, voice, and video communication features that allow businesses to provide customer support, send updates, and even manage transactions. WhatsApp Business accounts offer functionalities like automated responses, business profiles, and labels to organise chats and contacts.

Key benefits for businesses:

• Direct, personal communication with customers
• Real-time support and quick responses
• Easy to share updates and promotions
• Secure messaging with end-to-end encryption

5. TikTok

Launch date: September 2016

Monthly active users: Over 1.5 billion

Most used for: TikTok is known for its short-form video content, where users create and share videos set to music, participate in viral challenges, and showcase creative content.

TikTok offers a dynamic and engaging way for businesses to reach and interact with a younger audience through creative and viral video content. The platform’s algorithm promotes content based on user interests and engagement, making it possible for businesses to gain significant visibility even with a small following. TikTok’s advertising options include in-feed ads, branded hashtags, and sponsored challenges, allowing for creative and impactful marketing strategies.

Key benefits for businesses:

• High engagement with short, entertaining content
• Effective for reaching younger audiences
• Opportunities for viral marketing and trend participation
• Various ad formats to suit different marketing goals

6. WeChat

Launch date: January 2011

Monthly active users: Over 1.3 billion

Most used for: WeChat is a multi-functional app widely used for instant messaging, social media, and mobile payments.

WeChat is a multi-functioning app and is considered more popular than email in China. People uses it for messaging needs, including for business. It is a social powerhouse that not just connects friends and families, but businesses to customers. The platform’s integration with payments and social features makes it a versatile tool for both communication and transactions.

Key benefits for businesses:

• All-in-one platform for messaging, payments, and social engagement
• Access to a large user base, especially in China
• Opportunities for customer service, marketing, and ecommerce
• Integration with WeChat Pay for transactions

7. Facebook Messenger

Launch date: August 2011

Monthly active users: Over 1 billion

Most used for: It is integrated with Facebook, allowing users to chat with their friends and connections directly.

After WhatsApp and WeChat, Facebook Messenger is the third most popular messaging app in the world. The well-rounded app is much more than a messaging app. It works as a powerful tool for customer contact that marketers use to effectively engage and convert audiences. It supports a range of features, including automated responses, chatbots, and interactive ads.

Key benefits for businesses:

• Direct communication with Facebook users
• Integration with Facebook Ads for targeted messaging
• Automation through chatbots for efficient customer service
• Ability to share multimedia content and updates
• Real-time responses and interactions

8. Telegram

Launch date: August 2013

Monthly active users: Over 900 million

Most used for: Telegram is primarily used for instant messaging, group chats, and sharing multimedia files.

It is a widely used messaging app that is popularly known for its focus on privacy and security. As it is cloud-based, users can access their media and messages from any device at any time. Its end-to-end encryption, media sharing features and customisable themes are what make it a popular choice, be it for personal or professional communication. Businesses use this platform to engage with customers through one-on-one chats, groups, and channels.

Key benefits for businesses:

• Secure messaging with end-to-end encryption
• Ability to create large groups and channels for broadcasting
• Advanced features like bots for automation and customer engagement
• Privacy-focused platform
• Flexible options for sharing multimedia content and updates

9. Snapchat

Launch date: July 2011

Monthly active users: Over 800 million

Most used for: Snapchat is primarily used for sharing short-lived photos and videos, known as Snaps, which disappear after being viewed.

Even since Snapchat has launched, it has become one of the most popular social networking platforms specially among the young generation. So far, it has created 101 different product features for its users to enjoy. The app of Snapchat is designed in such a way that it give the users their own space, their own platform and express themselves to their near and dear ones.

Key benefits for businesses:

• Engages a younger, tech-savvy audience
• Creative advertising with AR filters and interactive elements
• Real-time engagement through Snaps and Stories
• Targeted advertising options for local or broad reach
• Trend-driven platform with high user engagement

10. Douyin (The Chinese version of TikTok)

Launch date: September 2016

Monthly active users: Around 755 million

Most used for: Douyin is China’s most downloaded video-sharing platform. It stands as a more advanced version of TikTok as it comes with most superior features and innovative monetisation techniques. Like TikTok, this platform also enables users to record and upload videos ranging from 15 to 60 seconds. In China, its collaboration with major marketplaces is what making it easier for marketers and business owners to boost sales and gain popularity.

Key benefits for businesses:

• High potential for viral content and broad reach
• Engages users through creative and entertaining videos
• Advanced algorithm for content discovery and user targeting
• Various advertising options to fit different marketing strategies
• Opportunities to participate in trending challenges and campaigns

Conclusion

There’s definitely no one-size-fits-all approach that will work when it comes to business. Make the right choices. Keep your focus on your audiences to understand where they spend their time and how you can utilise the distinct features of each platform to create meaningful connections and drive your brand forward.