Why a Bricks and Mortar Business Desperately Needs Digital Marketing
While it’s true that two-thirds of millennial shoppers research a business online before going to their local branch, there are many other reasons why a bricks-and-mortar establishment desperately needs digital marketing. Listed below are just a few. The website is your business’s digital front door, and it can leave a positive or negative impression. So, why is it so important to have a website?
First, digital marketing is a powerful tool for brick-and-mortar companies. Not only can digital marketing boost your existing marketing efforts, but it can also reach new customers. Most consumers use the internet for more than just online shopping, and they typically visit a brick-and-mortar store’s website before they make a purchase. As a result, businesses that implement a digital marketing strategy will experience higher sales conversions and higher customer loyalty.
While digital marketing is crucial to any type of business, brick-and-mortar businesses can also benefit from landing pages and email lists. The latter is particularly useful for building a list of leads and customers and converting them into customers. A brick-and-mortar store can use digital marketing tools to improve the customer experience and educate customers before they even walk into the store. This is a critical step in ensuring that a brick-and-mortar business remains competitive.
Retailers have a lot to gain from digital marketing. For one thing, brick-and-mortar stores must be ready for tomorrow’s consumers, as well as today’s consumer. With consumers becoming more tech-savvy and demanding, brick-and-mortar businesses must adapt to meet these new expectations. And, more importantly, they need to make sure their brick-and-mortar locations are as responsive as possible.
One of the most powerful competitive advantages that brick-and-mortar retailers may be missing out on is the ability to engage shoppers through their five senses. Consumers who are captivated through all of their senses are more likely to purchase a product. Ultimately, that means digital marketing is the best way for a brick-and-mortar business to achieve this goal. You should also be aware that it’s not a “silver bullet” for brick-and-mortar retail.