Online shopping might be all the rage these days, but that does not mean brick-and-mortar stores are on their way out. These traditional businesses still have one crucial advantage over their Internet counterparts: the opportunity to establish close personal relationships with the customers. If you are running a brick-and-mortar shop, here are some things you can do to maximize that advantage.
Set Limited-time Offerings
Purchasing items at discount prices can make any shopper giddy with delight. The excitement is even stronger if the offer is only suitable for a specific time.
With a limited-time offer, you create a sense of urgency that will help “force” your customers to act right now. It will compel them to check out your offers and make their purchase on the spot.
Promote Online
If your shop relies on foot traffic, local search engine optimization marketing is the perfect choice for your business. You see, not all shoppers go online to order stuff. Some browse the Web to find a nearby physical store. They use their smartphone to search for information about local products and services.
An excellent way to tap into this opportunity is by using Google Places for Business. It is a tool developed to control what information Google can display in Google Search and Maps so that businesses can be found more conveniently by potential shoppers. You can use it to make sure your customers access the right information about your business, such as your address, opening hours, and contact details.
Get Social
Even if you are solely offering your products offline, having a social media presence will help your business stay relevant. It lets you create brand awareness without spending so much marketing money.
Social media will allow you to give your brand a personality. It won’t just make it easier for potential customers to find you and make you seem more approachable.
Organize In-store Events
Promotional events provide an excellent way to attract and engage people’s attention. Whether it’s a product launch or an author/celebrity meet-and-greet, an in-store event will surely increase foot traffic.
You might also want to collaborate with other businesses in your area to expand your reach. It will let you leverage their expertise and resources while sharing your own.
Start a Membership Program
A membership program lets you present added value and benefits to your prospective members. It is also a strategic way to build customer loyalty.
In today’s competitive business environment, a strong membership program could be what will set you apart from the competition and what will keep your customers to stay with you. To make sure you are on the right track, consider working with professionals who specialize in membership marketing services.
Host Workshops and Seminars
When it comes to increasing foot traffic, it helps if your efforts do not necessarily lean toward actual selling. People appreciate it when businesses offer value that is not sales-oriented.
So you might want to partner with event organizers to conduct seminars and workshops relevant to what your business is offering. Say, if you’re selling beauty products, a makeup application class would be a great idea.
There is no doubt that traditional brick-and-mortar stores are here to stay. These tips will allow you to remain relevant in a competitive world while helping you enhance customer experience and boost your bottom line.