Most business owners wonder how they can build a positive brand, keep it consistent across all domains, and facilitate positive customer experiences on and offline. In the technological era we live in, many businesses understandably focus on branding and marketing online, but sometimes this leads to neglecting their physical store. Some of the best ways to hit your business goals are to improve your customers’ experience within your actual store location, developing both the interior and the exterior. Here are ten things you can do to boost business and reach your goals from the comforts of your own store location.
Solidify Your Brand
Would you be surprised to hear that one of the number one mistakes that new business owners make is failing to solidify their brand before starting their business? If you have been struggling to meet sales, it might be because you still haven’t established your business identity, mission, and vision. Try asking yourself the following questions:
- How am I different from similar brands out there?
- What problems do I solve?
- What do I have to offer that no one else can offer?
- Who am I, and what are my goals?
- What are my ethical standards?
After answering these questions, among others, you will increase your ability to offer your customers an experience that is new, meaningful, and memorable. You have to know who you are before others can get to know you for who you are.
Be Consistent
Consistency is vital in business. Whether you are producing a content schedule, marketing schedule, or even decorating your location, you must be consistent. That said, if you are taking advantage of social media, you should plan to post on a regular basis. If you sell seasonal merchandise, you should rotate or change your displays consistently. If you are putting up custom business signs, maintain a consistent color scheme and typography. You should also train your employees to be as consistent as possible in regard to how they treat your customers.
Grab Their Attention
You are in business because there is something special about what you offer, so sell it! Don’t just sell merchandise; sell yourself by going big and doing little things to grab your customers’ attention. One great way to do this is to use big, bold fonts when hanging outdoor or indoor business signs. Choose colors that pop to make sure people will see you from a mile away. Custom business signs, illuminated business signs, and acrylic business signs are only a couple of great sign options and materials used to grab people’s attention. Just remember to be both tactful and consistent in your advertisement and marketing tactics.
Develop a Community Presence
A great way to increase traffic and sales is to develop a positive presence within your community. People enjoy and even feel obligated sometimes to help those that help them. Participate in your local farmer’s market or community events. Offer donations or plan a charity event. Or, if your budget is low, you can always provide volunteer work or other forms of service to get your name out there and to help build your community: a community that, in turn, will support you.
Increase Purchasing Options
People love purchasing options that give them a feeling of greater control throughout their buying experience. So, even if you have a physical store, that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of other purchasing methods such as in-store pick-up, curbside pick-up, or even online shopping and shipping. This is especially beneficial in communities with strict COVID-19 regulations.
Be Flexible
Some people think that consistency and flexibility aren’t compatible virtues. Every successful owner knows that, while it is essential to be constant, there will always be exceptions and new developments. If you want to stay relevant in the business world and within your community, you must learn to adapt to changes around you. Doing so will allow you to connect with more generations and improve your efficacy and relevancy.
Rotate Displays Regularly
We all need a change of scenery now and then. Therefore, to catch customers’ attention, develop a regular schedule of rotating displays and stock. Some stores make the mistake of only rotating their displays at the beginning of every season. However, the most successful retail stores rotate their stock and update their displays every 1-2 weeks to maintain people’s interest.
Schedule Events
No matter what type of business you own, there are plenty of options when it comes to planning events to increase customer traffic and community outreach. For example, if you own a grocery store, you can host cooking classes or health seminars. If you own a bookstore, schedule a book signing or a children’s story hour. Or, if you want to hit two birds with one stone, you can plan a charity event to give back to the community and increase interest in your brand. The sky is the limit!
Provide VIP Opportunities
People love to feel special. Help your customers develop an identity with your store by providing VIP benefits or other special opportunities for members only. Many businesses use a VIP card program that offers points or other rewards for making purchases. Or, you can send special merchandise sneak-peaks, early-bird specials, or coupons via email to your loyal members.
Take Advantage of Psychology
Did you know that there is an entire field of psychology (well, multiple actually) devoted to studying consumer behavior? Well, there is! And one of the best ways to get into the heads of future customers is to know why they make the choices they make and how you can influence them for good. For example, people are more likely to purchase a good if they feel like there is only a limited amount. Therefore, limited-time-only merch is a great way to get people more eager to buy.
If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed or dejected, know that you aren’t alone on your journey to reach your 2021 business goals. If you don’t know where to start, talk to your local custom business sign company for ideas on how to grab passersbys’ attention, or perhaps a business consultant who can offer you ideas on how to boost customer loyalty and traffic. If you have confidence in yourself, your story, and what you have to offer, you will reach your goals.
