13 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Moving Company
13 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Moving Company When it comes to hiring movers, you may be tempted to compare companies solely on quotes.
You’ve found unique and engaging products for your store. Now, the question is, how do you get people to see those products? As a small business owner, you rely on your customers to grow your business. Anyone who has worked in retail knows slow days can be brutal. How do you keep your loyal customers coming back again and again, and attract new ones? Keep reading to learn some creative ways to potentially increase foot traffic in your store.
It may seem backwards to focus on your digital presence to increase traffic in your physical store. However, many customer journeys now begin online. While your small business or store may not be open 24/7, a website can be. Look at your website from the view of a new customer, or have a friend walk through and give you tips. Are you listing all of the services and products that your store provides? Is information like your phone number up to date and easy to find? Are you listing what hours your store is open?
If you have not already, claim your search engine listings, such as your Google Business Profile for your shop or small business. Here you can list your services, hours, and post photos of your location. You can also respond to reviews that customers leave.
Outdoor signs can attract attention, and showcase products or any special promotions that you have going on. Before you take this step, be sure you check with your landlord any town, city, or state ordinances regarding signs.
If you want your customers to stay for longer in your store or return, think about what amenities matter to them. A lack of key amenities can lead to poor customer experiences. For example, if you are a clothing boutique for mothers and babies, do you have a changing table in your restroom area? Some basic amenities to consider are:
If your goal is to increase foot traffic in your store or small business, give your customers a reason to visit in person. Events are one way to do this, and hosting a special guest can get people excited about the event. When it comes to special guests, it doesn’t have to be an A-list celebrity. Consider these options:
Once you book a special guest, give your business plenty of time before the event for promotion. You can use social media, community calendars, flyers, and other means to spread the word that your business is hosting the special guest.
A limited-time gift with purchase promotion can be one way to attract customers to come to your store or small business. This can be even more enticing if the gift is exclusively available through the promotion. Another option is a customer appreciation sale.
Your small business likely already is active on at least a few social media channels. Adding a photo-op wall or backdrop gives your customers the opportunity to share your business on social media on their own channels. When customers share photos of your store, it can broaden the reach you have on social media. For your background or mural, you can take inspiration from your brand, the area that you are in, or inspirational imagery or messaging. Research what similar brands or stores are doing.
If you need inspiration for content for your social media, you can read some ideas here.
If people don’t know that your small business exists, it’s likely they won’t shop there. Partnering with another business can increase your visibility, but it takes a little creativity. Look for potential businesses to partner with that offer complimentary products or services to the ones you offer. Approach a business with what you would be willing to offer, and what cross-promotion the partnership could offer.
Does a loyalty program make sense for your business? A loyalty program can motivate clients to keep returning to your small business. Rewards can range from discounts, to free products, or early access to new products before others.
Turn your brick-and-mortar store into a place where memories can be made. Think about who your ideal customer is and what they would enjoy for a class or workshop. Some examples could be a craft workshop, an education class with a presentation by a special guest, or a VIP night where you preview new products before others will see them.
Show that your small business supports the local community by supporting a local charity or non-profit. You can get your customers involved by hosting a supply drive, and then reward them with a discount. There are dozens of other ways to partner with a non-profit or charity, so research what local causes may align with the mission of your brand.
Is your city or area is frequented by tourists? Have you ever tried reaching them? For example, if you know a bus tour is coming, reach out to the organizer to see if you can provide a coupon to be distributed to attract people to your store.
While trends come and go, the customer experience remains steady. The reason why your customers may prefer shopping in person may be the service that they receive. Share your knowledge about the products your small business provides. Listen to your customers and what they like about your store. To keep customers coming back, focus on making each experience a memorable one.
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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon or used for any particular purpose. Cross Insurance shall not be held responsible in any way for, and specifically disclaims any liability arising out of or in any way connected to, reliance on or use of any of the information contained in this article. The information contained or referenced in this article is not intended to constitute and should not be considered legal, insurance, accounting or other professional advice, nor shall it serve as a substitute for the recipient obtaining such advice. The views expressed in this article are that of its author and do not necessarily represent the views of Cross Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Cross Insurance”) or Cross Insurance’s management or shareholders.
13 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Moving Company When it comes to hiring movers, you may be tempted to compare companies solely on quotes.
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