Why a Bricks and Mortar Business Desperately Needs Digital Marketing

With two-thirds of online shoppers using their smartphones to compare prices, a bricks and mortar business must take its website seriously. Not only should it provide valuable information about products and services, it should also offer information on the store’s policies, such as return policies. Without a proper website, customers will be left with a negative impression of the store. For this reason, a bricks and mortar business must take digital marketing seriously to attract and retain customers.

Today, more consumers are searching for local businesses through the Internet than ever before. In fact, 84% of online shoppers will go to a bricks-and-mortar store’s website before making a purchase. Increasing awareness of the bricks-and-mortar store’s products will not only increase sales, but also customer loyalty. So why does a bricks-and-mortar business need digital marketing?

A bricks-and-mortar business has a more personal relationship with its customers, which increases its risk of making costly mistakes with marketing strategies. Even small mistakes can cost your business dearly. For instance, it can be difficult to know whether your employees are providing helpful and friendly service, which will create a good impression among customers. Having a better understanding of the ways to stand out from your competitors is critical to your success.

Increasingly, consumers are choosing experience over price. In addition to online shopping, they also prefer convenience. They are also demanding an enhanced shopping experience, which means price retailers must evolve to provide the desired service to their customers while still maintaining their margins. In order to keep up with this trend, bricks and mortar networks must be more agile in terms of cost control and a true multi-channel retail operation. While many experts stress the importance of data, they say that information is not enough to be sustainable.

A bricks-and-mortar business desperately needs digital marketing. Mobile apps are a popular means of digital marketing. Mobile apps help online retailers enhance the customer experience, while brick-and-mortar retailers are beginning to use them to make the in-store experience better. One example is the Guides mobile app that collects customer information and helps sales associates find the right products for a customer.

Another example is Neatly Nested’s valentine-themed plates. By urging customers to visit its floral pop-up, the company is building awareness about its product. Immediacy often drives impulse purchases. The ability to provide personalized experiences is a powerful tool for enhancing customer experience and revenue. A bricks-and-mortar business should embrace the power of digital marketing. You cannot afford not to invest in it!

COVID-19 has affected enterprises and consumers across the world. In Australia alone, unemployment rose from 5.2% to 7.5%. This has left traditional brick-and-mortar businesses struggling to manage costs with zero sales. Thankfully, ecommerce, social media marketing, and search engine marketing have risen to become strong selling channels. So what are your options? How can you make the most of digital marketing for your bricks-and-mortar business?

As a physical store, you need a prominent location on a busy street. Digital businesses should target audiences in the sites where they frequent. Once you know where buyers hang out, you can expand your business to more locations. While SEO-driven blog posts and content marketing are good ways to attract attention to your website, they take time. Social media is another slow way to draw attention to your site.

For your bricks-and-mortar business, e-commerce is an excellent way to diversify its revenue streams. Besides, there are many other opportunities online to sell products and services. By offering these options, you can create a long-term revenue stream. However, finding the right marketing channels can be difficult. With the help of an online marketing agency, you can leverage the power of digital marketing to your advantage.