Although online stores are very much in vogue these days, there is no reason to assume that someone cannot promote their business online simply because it’s a brick and mortar store.
Nowadays most of your potential customers would Google any particular product/service they intend to purchase before heading to the store. If you are looking to reach out to more customers, then having an online presence is an absolute prerequisite.
A website along with social media pages would help you engage with your customers and convert potential customers into loyal buyers. In order to attract more customers to your brick and mortar store, the first thing you need to do is create an online presence catering to your niche audience.
In today’s article, we are going to talk about a few tactics which would help you promote your brick and mortar store online.
8 Tips for online promotion of your store
1. Domain name
Your domain name or the address of your business website needs to be carefully chosen. Make sure to choose a short and memorable name which would convey the essence of the product/service you are offering. Using your brand name as your domain name is a good idea since it would allow your customers to remember it from your offline promotions.
2. Create a compelling website
Getting your website designed by a pro is worth the investment since your website is a reflection of your image as a seller. Even if you are going for a WordPress site, ensure that it is neat, easily navigable and that it conveys all the necessary information about your store. Make separate pages for product info, contact info, store location and the like. This is where you can also sell your brand image with an introduction about your company/brand on an about us page. Another thing to keep in mind is that many users surf the web on their phones or tablets these days. So, make sure your site is mobile friendly and shows well on all platforms.
3. Offer coupons
Your customers would love it if they think they have got a bargain. Everybody likes to save money and offering discount coupons online would lure the potential customers to step into your store and make a purchase. Offering discount vouchers on your webpage is surely going to have a positive effect on your sales and outreach.
4. Create a blog
Your blog is a crucial component of your website since it would allow you to share valuable advice and resources with your target audience. This is the space where you can educate and inform your audience about the product or service you are offering. Your blog should also contain relevant information regarding your niche which can be useful for your audience. You can use a blog to help your company become an authority in your niche with insightful, actionable and helpful information. Moreover, your company blog can also be your platform for promoting upcoming events in your store. Having a blog alongside your website would not only help you get a better ranking on Google but also help to develop a fan-following.
5. Have a social media presence
Most of your competitors are already out there on most social media networks so it is high time you think about creating a solid social media presence. Once you have decided on a sale, promotion or event, you need to communicate all the details to your audience through posting on all the relevant social networks. Previews and teasers are also cool ways of store promotion through social networking. It’s important for you to create a step by step plan for making your presence felt on each social media platform. Getting your content customized according to the social network where it is being posted is an excellent idea. Make sure to respond to any negative comments or complaints so as to foster the relationship with your clients and also answer their questions fully when possible.
6. Invest in SEO
Having a blog and website is surely going to help you increase the number of potential customers, but not many people would be there to follow your blogs and website unless they find you easily. This is precisely why you need to get your website content search engine optimized. Incorporate a lot of keywords and key phrases in your content so that your potential customers get to find you easily.
7. Go for SEM or search engine marketing
Search engine marketing is a part of your search engine optimization strategy which aims at increasing your website’s visibility on Google. SEM involves some other means of attracting more online visitors such as PPC or pay per click advertising.
8. Consider listing your website on the online directories
Listing your business on Google Business, Bing Local, Yelp and other business directories would help the potential customers find you. It also adds to your online profile and helps put you closer to the top of the local search engine results.
Wrapping it up
It might be surprising for you to learn that the internet prompts billions of dollars of offline sales every year. So, make sure to make your presence felt in the online world and customers would soon start flocking in.
This article is written by James Mash. When not blogging about tech trends James is busy juggling a job in online marketing with taking care of his boisterous dog Charlie and launching a custom phone cases business, made2b.com.
