Should I add social media icons to homepage of ecommerce site?

[Coraltoes77]

... In particular Facebook likes for social proof and credibility?  (We have 1.7k likes, more than most competitors).

Aimed at the higher end of the market, I've tried to keep the aesthetic a bit more pared down.  But, perhaps this needs to be made more prominent?

[S_Curtis]

Some of the social media icons can slow the page load down which is a conversion rate optimisation no no. So it is best to put at the bottom in my experience, so that it doen't hold up above the fold content loading. This is particuarly true as, unless you have uber cool content, don't expect too many interactions.  I would certainly include google+ though as you may get some SEO benefit.

[Coraltoes77]

Thank you, I'll probably go with the header and footer approach or just the footer.

Thanks guys.

[ColinWhite]

Place them in the header of the site and footer. However the 2 sets of icons need to have different functionality

HEADER ICONS: These should be smaller in size and allow your site visitor to Like, Share, Tweet, Plus without any redirection at all. (Meaning they click like page and it likes it without taking them away from your site to your social site.)

FOOTER ICONS: These can be a bit larger and allow the visitor to be taken to your Social presence. (Please not your footer icons should open in a new window)

[GregB123]

I think that on ecommerce sites it is good to display the social media icons only on certain pages.

Basically on the pages people are likely to share: Home, Product pages, on-site Blog pages.

You can probably leave them off things like the Category pages, Contact, Guarantee, and other instructional pages.

[polarking]

I would put them on but in a place that doesn't distract your visitor. A lot of sites put them in the footer. You can always run test to determine best placement.

[crackingmedia]

Hi, I don't think there is any reason not to and gives further opportunity to 'like you'

Peter