Why a Bricks and Mortar Business Desperately Needs Digital Marketing

As ecommerce businesses have seized market share from traditional brick and mortar retailers, it’s critical for a bricks-and-mortar business to stay technologically current. In fact, many long-established retailers have been forced to shut down dozens of store locations due to lack of foot traffic and decreased sales. Fortunately, digital marketing can help a bricks-and-mortar business grow its business and keep existing customers satisfied.

One of the greatest benefits of digital marketing is that it allows a brick-and-mortar business to build a strong customer base. While brick-and-mortar businesses are still able to interact with their customers, there is a higher chance of making a mistake with their marketing strategy. Even the smallest mistake can cost a business a lot of money. For example, when a customer walks into a brick-and-mortar store, they’ll probably remember it more fondly than the online store. If a brick-and-mortar business can maintain a positive customer base, it will have a much easier time competing for customers.

In addition to having an online presence, a brick-and-mortar business can also learn about its customers who are not in the area while a brick-and-mortar store is closed. To gauge their popularity, a brick-and-mortar business can use tools such as Google Analytics. This data can provide valuable insight into what pages of a brick-and-mortar store’s website are attracting the most traffic. With this information, businesses can consider future marketing avenues, such as launching a coupon or offering a discount.

A brick-and-mortar store can’t ignore the fact that consumers are increasingly engaging with brands online. Even if e-commerce businesses have a digital presence, a brick-and-mortar store can’t afford to ignore this vital opportunity. Regardless of the type of brick-and-mortar store, the ability to interact with consumers through the five senses will ultimately lead to higher revenue and better customer retention.

The advent of the experience economy has changed consumer preferences and expectations. Those who once spent a lot of time and money visiting a brick-and-mortar store now prioritize the experience. As a result, a brick-and-mortar store can act as a warehouse, showroom, and community hub at the same time. With the right digital channels, consumers can voice their opinions and give retailers what they need. It’s vital to be responsive to their needs and provide a superior shopping experience.

The impact of COVID-19 has affected economies all over the world and businesses everywhere. In Australia, unemployment jumped from 5.2% to 7.5%, and many brick-and-mortar businesses have been left to deal with zero revenue. In the wake of these calamities, many businesses have resorted to innovative methods to survive. Ecommerce, social media, and search engine marketing have become significant selling channels.

While ecommerce is changing the landscape, brick-and-mortar stores must adjust quickly to stay competitive. Even Walmart, the world’s largest brick-and-mortar retailer, has recently closed several stores. But despite these challenges, it now ranks third in online sales. Retail apocalypse is less a case of physical retail dying than a changing consumer behavior.

Even if a brick-and-mortar store is located on a popular avenue, it can benefit from a digital presence. This way, a brick-and-mortar business can reach out to a larger audience and expand its operations. Alternatively, a digital business can attract attention via content marketing and SEO-driven blog posts. These methods, however, take a lot of time. Social media, on the other hand, can only generate traffic if it is regularly updated.

In-store digital marketing can help retailers attract customers. For example, a clothing brand may use digital marketing to send notifications to a customer’s phone when they’re near a store. This can provide valuable information to help them make a purchase, thereby boosting foot traffic. Additionally, a brick-and-mortar business can create a digital presence by integrating a multichannel approach to their marketing.