There’s a lot of talk about how much shopping is done online these days, but the truth is that the majority is still carried out “in real life.” And there’s more good news if you’re a store owner, too — while internet shopping is most definitely here to stay, people are making a slow return to main street.
They’re beginning to see the value of shopping local, and buying from someone they can interact with on a personal level. However, it’s also true that there’s a lot of competition for business, too. Below, we take a look at a few ways you can attract more people to your store.
Hosting Events
People like to shop, but they also like to have fun. Why not get some attention for your business by hosting events, and inviting the public into your store? What kind of event you’ll host will depend on what type of business you have. For example, if you had a bookstore, then book readings and other literary type events would make sense. If you’re selling food and drink, then special wine tasting evenings would be a good option. This can be a good way to make additional income, but it’ll primarily be a marketing tool.
Passing Traffic
You’ll have customers who visit your store when they know they need to buy something that you sell. But you’ll also want to sweep up some of the people who pass by your store but who aren’t necessarily looking. It’s all about getting them into your store. Once they’re in there, they might just pick up something that interests them, or they could return in the future. You’ll be on their radar, anyway. One way to get more people into your store is to install aluminum awnings. They’re highly effective at improving the look of your store, and also grabbing people’s attention. You’ll also want to place some of your finest items on display in the window; you’ll get the attention of those window shoppers.
Special Offers
Everyone is enticed by a deal. From time to time, you’ll want to look at hosting a sale. This is beneficial in multiple ways. First, it helps to clear some of the seasonal stock that you couldn’t sell at the peak price. Second, you’ll just naturally get the curiosity of people passing by. You’ll also be able to show off your new collection at the same time as the sale. People don’t need too much of a reason to visit a store when there’s the potential to get a great deal.
Be a Presence
Finally, remember that there’s no substitute for good old fashioned marketing. Both online and in real life, make sure you’re getting your name out there. Online, you’ll want a website, and regularly updated social media channels. Offline, marketing could take the shape of in-print advertising (it’s still effective in small-town media) and getting involved in the community, such as sponsoring a local sports team and the like. Essentially you’ll just want to make yourself a presence.
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