With a surge in online sales, it can be a struggle for brick-and-mortar stores to keep the foot traffic flowing. This doesn’t mean you should pack up your shop. It just means leveraging creativity to keep you and your business positioned as a trusted and reputable authority within your industry. Customers still want to shop in a store, they just need the right strategies to drive them in more often.
Here are 5 ways to keep your business at the forefront of your industry and drive more foot traffic.
#1 Create a fun, in-person incentive
Customers are more likely to head in-store if there is something you are offering that they cannot obtain online. This could be anything from a special offer, a new product, or a giveaway. You can also take this further and set up in-store events, for example, a photo booth, a book signing, or coffee mornings.
#2 Invest in local SEO
Many businesses invest in SEO to help their online visibility but neglect the impact of local SEO efforts. Local SEO helps your business rank for local results and as a result, connects you with more potential customers in your area. This includes the usual SEO techniques, as well as utilizing Google My Business, local citations, and more.
#3 Online reviews
Online reviews can play a huge role in the decision of potential customers to come in store. A large number of customers will check the website and the quality and quantity of recent reviews of a business before choosing to visit or purchase from them. Encouraging reviews from customers who have previously shopped with you by offering an incentive, such as a prize draw, is a great way to grow them quickly. Reviews also increase the chances of being found on Google.
#4 Deliver excellent customer service
The easiest way to drive foot traffic through repeat business, word of mouth marketing, and drive more online reviews is by delivering excellent customer service. Customers who shop online don’t often interact with anyone and more than likely receive a standard service at any shops they do visit. By offering outstanding customer service, it will give them something you remember you by and tell all their friends about. Train your staff to go above and beyond for every single customer that walks through your doors.
#5 Get creative with customer experience
Depending on the store you run, you can often be limited with decor choices, especially with a franchise. That doesn’t mean you should give up. There are hundreds of creative ways you can spruce up the place, that will get heads turning and invoke the FOMO (fear of missing out) with potential customers. For example, you can set up a funky selfie wall where customers can take photos and share on their social media, you can set up treasure hunts and games around the store where customers can win prizes, add inspiration signage around the store, or take a look at the 15 best tip jar ideas for your business to entertain your customers and leave them smiling.
It can be disheartening when online traffic is surging, but with the right strategies in place, you can keep your position as a leader and continue to drive valuable foot traffic.