Why a Bricks and Mortar Business Desperately Needs Digital Marketing
Why a bricks and mortar business desperately requires digital marketing? As the consumer landscape continues to evolve, so must brick-and-mortar businesses. Brick-and-mortar businesses have a unique advantage to online competitors: they have the ability to interact with customers face-to-face. While this means a greater risk of costly mistakes, it is possible to make them. Knowing your competitive advantages is crucial to success.
If you are an owner of a brick-and-mortar store, you may be wondering why you need digital marketing. With more consumers turning to the internet than ever before, brick-and-mortar businesses need to be online and employ a digital marketing strategy. Not only will this increase sales and build customer loyalty, but it will also help you attract new customers. By taking advantage of the power of digital marketing, you can improve your overall brand awareness, boost sales, and gain new customers.
Online shoppers are constantly checking prices, and almost two-thirds of shoppers are using their cell phones to research prices. Therefore, brick-and-mortar businesses need to take their website seriously. A great website will provide valuable information for customers, such as current in-stock items, return policies, and the like. It will make a customer feel welcome and ensure they come back for more. But the real challenge comes when digital and physical marketing are not used in tandem.
Regardless of the channel, brick-and-mortar retailers need better digital marketing tools to stay competitive in the age of omnichannel shopping. While there is good news for physical retail, the news for brick-and-mortar businesses isn’t all good. So far, a study published by the University of Pennsylvania suggests that seven percent of national retail stores have closed this year. And the final tally is expected to hit 12,000 stores by the end of the year.
Having an online presence is essential for any business, regardless of size or industry. Even if your brick-and-mortar business is small, digital presence plays a crucial role in its success. Some business owners believe that current customers don’t use the internet, so they’ll never find them online. However, these myths are false. Digital marketing will help you expand your customer base and increase the chances of conversion.
While digital marketing may seem daunting, it will pay off for your brick-and-mortar business in the long run. Digital advertising will expose your business to a whole new audience, while social media will help you build credibility. A digital marketing campaign combined with a pop-up shop can drive new customers to your brick-and-mortar location. A brick-and-mortar business that embraces change and stays aligned with its customers will survive.
As consumers increasingly shop online, traditional brick-and-mortar retailers may be missing one of their most powerful competitive advantages. As a result, most successful brands have integrated digital marketing into their offline operations to establish complete brand voice. A marketing expert says, “The most human company wins.”
Another reason to leverage digital marketing is to create additional revenue streams. With digital marketing, brick-and-mortar businesses can sell products on e-commerce websites and through online marketplaces. Ultimately, digital marketing is essential for the longevity of a brick-and-mortar business. It provides new ways to generate revenue and improve the customer experience. For example, the Guides app lets sales associates know when a customer is approaching a store and can direct them to products that suit their needs.
In a time of COVID_19, the pace of digitalization has been accelerated. With the recent pandemic, digital marketing is vital for companies. However, the pandemic won’t last forever and consumer behavior will continue to evolve. To survive in the future, businesses should be proactive about their digital marketing strategy and begin to invest in digital marketing. With the help of digital marketing, brick-and-mortar businesses can expand and attract new customers.