Why a Bricks and Mortar Business Desperately Needs Digital Marketing
Why does a bricks and mortar business desperately need digital marketing? E-commerce has altered shopping habits and expectations for consumers, but bricks-and-mortar businesses can continue to thrive while adapting to new consumer behaviors. Consumers no longer want to decide between the convenience of shopping online and in-store. Instead, they want to experience an integrated retail experience that satisfies their wants and needs. By embracing digital marketing, brick-and-mortar businesses can complement each other to remain relevant in today’s consumer environment.
Digital advertising and social media tools are an excellent way to spread the word about a brick-and-mortar business, and online presences allow customers to find a store or product when they’re not in-store. Using relevant content creators and social media tools to share a business’s story will gain credibility and boost foot traffic. If your brick-and-mortar location is planning an expansion, you can use digital marketing to pair a pop-up shop with an online presence.
A brick-and-mortar business is a physical location, such as a retail store, factory, warehouse, or local grocery store. Consumers love this physical location, where they can see, touch, and discuss concerns. Additionally, they enjoy instant gratification. Using digital marketing to promote your brick-and-mortar location in local search results is a smart move for brick-and-mortar businesses.
Despite the cost, a brick-and-mortar business needs a company website. Regardless of the size of the company, digital presence can play a big role in your business’ success. Although many business owners complain about the expense, digital marketing is here to stay and is the way to reach more potential customers. Without it, you’re throwing away valuable marketing power. So, what’s holding you back?
A brick-and-mortar business should invest in its people to improve customer service skills. Studies show that a third of consumers make a purchase in a store based on a positive experience. Each interaction can increase loyalty and sales. While Amazon will continue to evolve, brick-and-mortar businesses must invest in differentiated customer experiences to gain a competitive advantage. So, what exactly should brick-and-mortar businesses invest in?
A brick-and-mortar business should also harness digital innovation. Smart mirrors, for instance, can help customers make smarter decisions while in the store. They can adjust lighting, suggest alternate styles, and even order new sizes. The technology can even be integrated into the fitting room. And if you’re not into shopping online, smart mirrors can help. You don’t want to leave a client unsatisfied because they were unable to find what they were looking for.
The evolution of technology is driving small businesses to experiment with new marketing avenues. And as a result, brick-and-mortar firms are also adopting digital marketing strategies. By harnessing the power of digital marketing, a brick-and-mortar business can beef up its traditional marketing efforts to reach prospective clients. With a good digital marketing strategy, a financial services firm can increase its SEO ranking and sales conversion rate.
Retailers are increasingly seeking personalized experiences when they visit a physical location. By utilizing targeted digital outreach, a retailer can attract more customers and drive more foot traffic to their store. Of course, the retailer must be cautious when using location data. Although some have experimented with sending notifications to customers’ phones if they are near a physical store, they should be cautious. Informed consumers make the rules.