Why a Bricks and Mortar Business Desperately Needs Digital Marketing
Whether you’re a local business or an international company, your brick-and-mortar store can benefit from a digital marketing strategy. A good website, a social media strategy that is based on building relationships, and email marketing are all essential components of a successful digital marketing plan. In addition, you should segment your audience. Using these tools will help your brick-and-mortar store achieve maximum exposure and improve its conversion rates.
In the digital world, consumers are increasingly using their phones to research a product or company. Almost two-thirds of millennials will research a business online before visiting a physical store, so your website is crucial for attracting the attention of this generation. A website should provide valuable information, such as how to return a product, and allow customers to contact you. A well-designed website can turn a customer into a loyal customer.
Although brick-and-mortar businesses are still rooted in physical materials, they’ll likely struggle to stay afloat as the landscape shifts. In fact, the “retail apocalypse” is continuing to hit major brands. This doesn’t mean that brick-and-mortar stores are destined to go the way of brick-and-mortar stores, but it does signal a changing landscape for marketing.
Today’s mobile devices place the world of commerce into people’s pockets. Combined with the app-based platforms, these devices challenge brick-and-mortar retailers in marketing and payments. Additionally, Americans’ phones are always within reach, making mobile devices essential for online shopping. However, brick-and-mortar businesses should embrace their consumers’ digital activity, not fear it. It may even drive customers to their stores!
While physical locations are still important, consumers increasingly prefer online shopping. The convenience of shopping online means that brick-and-mortar stores must evolve to provide an enhanced experience. For price retailers, this means more cost control and a true multi-channel retail operation. Experts note that while data and information are invaluable, they are not sufficient to create a sustainable digital strategy. This requires smart data collection and analysis.
The internet offers more ways for consumers to interact with brick-and-mortar businesses than ever before. With nearly two-thirds of consumers using their mobile devices to check prices online, brick-and-mortar companies need to keep up. By integrating digital and physical operations, you can increase your sales. So, what are the advantages of digital marketing for brick-and-mortar businesses? These are just a few of the many ways you can leverage digital marketing to drive traffic and increase your bottom line.
Data-driven personalization is another key to success. Increasing data on your customers will enable you to tailor your online and offline experience to meet their specific needs. Customers will be more likely to buy from you if you know more about them. As a result, your offline experience will be better, too. So, why a brick-and-mortar business desperately needs digital marketing? It will give them an edge over their competitors.
The global retail industry has faced a major disruption this year. According to the World Wide Web Association, seventy percent of global retail sales will be conducted in physical stores by the end of this year. The rise of online retail and its effect on traditional brick-and-mortar businesses is a testament to the speed of change. While the death of brick-and-mortar retail is widely believed to be the result of technological advancements, the real threat to brick-and-mortar businesses is the changing behavior of consumers.
While digital marketing is crucial for a brick-and-mortar business, it can also boost foot traffic. In-store marketing campaigns can help you increase foot traffic and encourage customers to purchase more. Remember that more people make impulse purchases when they feel the need to do something right now. If your customers don’t feel the urgency to buy right away, you might have lost a sale that could have been avoided if you used the right digital marketing tools.