Abstract:
The main objective of the study was to investigate the effects of social media marketing on
Consumers buying decision making processes. Specifically an explanatory research design was
employed to examine the effects of social media Ads, social media Word of Mouth
,
users’
presence period on social media, users’ exposure time on social media, users’ number of social
media account and users’ level of trust in social media on a consumers buying decision making
processes. To achieve the objective of the study, the primary data was collected from a sample
279 students of college of business and economics at Bahir Dar University through
questionnaire by applying a convenience sampling techniques. The collected data from sample
students were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency percentage & mean and
inferential statistics such as correlation and multiple regression using SPSS version 23 software
package .The study revealed and concluded that Electronic Word of Mouth (E-WOM), Users'
Presence Period, Social Media Ads, Users' level of trust and Users' exposure time on social
media have a statistically significant and positive influence on a consumers buying decision
making processes while users’ number of social media account were not statistical significant
factor to determine consumer buying behaviour. Finally the study recommended that marketers
should have to; use affiliate marketing, align themselves with other trusted brands, publications
& influencers/opinion leaders, keep open and honest communication on social media, offer
different benefit such as after sales service to the customer to generate positive word of mouth
and should have to use the right combination of video, photo, banners, model and creator of
social media that will encourage prospective consumers to purchase.