With research showing more than half consumers are more likely to buy a brand they ‘like’ on Facebook, an Australian startup has created a e-commerce app that plugs into the popular social networking site.

Brisbane-based software business aradium says the app is designed to help small businesses reverse recent downward trends in consumer sentiment and spending.

It enables small businesses to install and run an online e-commerce without the need to set up a comprehensive ecommerce site.

Early adopters include fashion stores, boutique home-wares shops, hair stylists and sports goods retailers.

As aradium founder Ryan Mills explains: “Small businesses are the backbone of our national economy. We wanted to develop an app that would help small businesses reach out, connect and engage with their clients and fans, ultimately leading to more transactions and sales online.”

“We help Australians buy directly from the brands they like and follow on Facebook. Customers can Like, Share and Comment on a brand’s products, receive fan-only discounts and keep up to date with new products and special offers, all from within Facebook.”

Mills says research by CMB Data showed 51 per cent of Facebook followers say they’re more likely to buy a product after becoming a follower of the brand. In the US, commerce on Facebook, or f-commerce as it is now coined there, is predicted to grow 10 per cent year-on-year.

The aradium app helps small businesses take advantage of the increase in online shopping and enables them to sell their products online easily and cheaply, without the need for a large investment in a traditional website.

Mills says aradium stores has over 2000 monthly active users since launching in Australia just last month.

More information about aradium can be obtained from the company’s website –