Are you a brick-and-mortar shop owner who is looking to take your business online? Or are you an ecommerce store owner who is looking to open a physical location? Either way, there are a lot of benefits to integrating your brick-and-mortar shop with an ecommerce store.
The internet has completely changed the way that people shop. This is great for businesses that have an online presence, but it can be tough for brick-and-mortar shops that are stuck in the past. By integrating your business with ecommerce, you can make it easier for your customers to shop with you, whether they're at home or in your store.
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How to use QR Codes to boost ecommerce traffic from your retail shop
You’ve seen them everywhere. Those little black-and-white squares with a funky pattern that can be read by a smartphone camera. They’re called QR, or Quick Response, codes, and they are one of the most efficient ways to drive traffic to your ecommerce site from your brick-and-mortar store. If you’re not using QR codes as part of your in-store marketing strategy, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to increase sales and reach new customers.
What Are QR Codes?
QR codes were originally developed as a way to track vehicle parts during the manufacturing process. But it wasn’t until 2009 that QR codes began to gain popularity outside of Japan when Google released its free QR code generator. Today, there are multiple free online QR code generators available, as well as a number of paid options that offer additional features such as custom designs and tracking.
How Do QR Codes Work?
QR codes are read by smartphone cameras using an app that decodes the patterns within the code and translates them into plain text or a URL. The first step in using QR codes for your business is to generate a code using one of the many free online generators. Once you have your code, you can add it to any print materials such as flyers, business cards, or even window decals. When customers see your code, they can use their smartphone camera to scan it and be directed to your ecommerce site where they can learn more about your products or make a purchase.
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Why Use QR Codes?
There are several reasons why you should use QR codes as part of your in-store marketing strategy. First, they’re an easy way to drive traffic to your ecommerce site from your brick-and-mortar store. Customers who might not otherwise visit your website can be directed there simply by scanning a QR code with their smartphone camera.
Second, QR codes give you the ability to track how effective your in-store marketing efforts are. By tracking how many people scan your code, you can get an idea of how many potential customers are seeing your in-store marketing materials and acting on them.
Finally, using QR codes in your in-store marketing gives you the opportunity to provide customers with additional information about your products or services that they might not otherwise have access to.
For example, if you’re promoting a new product in your store, you can use a QR code on flyers or posters to direct customers to a page on your website where they can learn more about the product before making a purchase.
By integrating your ecommerce store with your brick and mortar shop, you can make it easier for customers to shop with you, whether they're at home or in your store.
How to Use Your Website to Drive Ecommerce Traffic to Your Retail Shop
If you have a retail shop, it's important to make sure that your website is driving traffic to your store. After all, your website is the first place that many potential customers will go to learn about your business. Here are a few tips on how to use your website to drive ecommerce traffic to your retail shop.
Make sure your address and hours are prominent on your website
You want potential customers to be able to find your store easily, so make sure that your address and hours are prominently displayed on your website. You can put this information in the header or footer of your site or create a dedicated "Contact" or "Locations" page.
Use targeted keywords on your website
Make sure that you're using targeted keywords on your website so that potential customers can find you when they search for businesses like yours. You can use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner or Moz Keyword Explorer to find relevant keywords for your business. Once you've identified some target keywords, incorporate them into the content on your website, such as in product descriptions, blog posts, or meta tags.
Create compelling content
In addition to using targeted keywords, you also need to create compelling content on your website that will interest potential customers and encourage them to visit your store. This could include anything from blog posts and product reviews to photo galleries and videos. Whatever type of content you choose to create, make sure it's high quality and informative so that potential customers will be encouraged to visit your store.
Offer incentives for online orders.
One way to encourage potential customers to shop at your online store rather than visiting your physical location is by offering incentives for online orders, such as free shipping or discounts on certain products. You can promote these incentives on your website and in online ads to increase the likelihood that potential customers will shop at your online store rather than visiting your retail location.
How to promote your ecommerce store in your retail shop
If you have a brick and mortar shop, you may be wondering how you can use it to promote your ecommerce store. After all, there are only so many things you can do to drive traffic to your website without investing in paid advertising. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to get started.
Make sure your website is visible on your storefront
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many businesses forget to promote their website on their physical store. Make sure your URL is prominently displayed on your window decals, business cards, receipts, and any other marketing materials you have. You can even put up a sign or banner specifically promoting your website.
Offer incentives for shopping online
Create a sense of urgency by offering incentives for shopping on your website instead of in-store. This could be anything from free shipping to exclusive discounts or early access to sales. Whatever you choose, make sure it's something that will motivate customers to shop online instead of in-store. Otherwise, they'll have no reason to visit your website.
Use in-store displays to showcase your website
If you have the space, set up a display in your store that promotes your website. This could be as simple as a laptop or tablet with your site open, or a more elaborate display with product photos and information about your site. If you don't have the space for a physical display, consider using a digital screen that cycles through information about your site and offers customers a way to visit it from anywhere in the store.
Train your staff to promote your website
Your staff are your best resources when it comes to promoting your website. Make sure they're familiar with its features and benefits so they can answer questions and encourage customers to visit it themselves. You can even offer incentives for employees who drive traffic to your website, such as gift cards or commissions on sales generated online.
These are just a few of the many ways you can promote your ecommerce store in your brick and mortar shop. By making your website visible, offering incentives for shopping online, and utilizing in-store displays, you can increase traffic to your site and generate more sales.
Set up click-and-collect
Click-and-collect is when customers order items online and then pick them up in store. This is a great option for customers who want the convenience of shopping online but don't want to wait for shipping. And it's also a great way to get foot traffic into your store.
Here's how you can set up click-and-collect on your website and start driving traffic to your brick-and-mortar store:
1. Choose the right eCommerce platform
The first step is to choose an eCommerce platform that supports click-and-collect. Not all platforms offer this feature, so it's important to do your research before settling on one choice.
2. Set up in-store Pickup locations
Once you've chosen your eCommerce platform, you'll need to set up in-store Pickup locations. This involves choosing the location or locations where customers will be able to pick up their orders. You'll also need to set up a process for handling in-store Pickups, such as assigning staff members to help customers with their orders .
3. Promote click-and-collect on your website
The next step is to promote click-and-collect on your website. You can do this by adding banners or links promoting in-store Pickup, or by offering discounts for customers who choose this option. You can also promote click-and-collect through your email marketing campaigns and social media channels.
4. Train your staff
Finally, once you've set everything up, it's important to train your staff on how click-and-collect works and what their responsibilities are. This will help ensure that everything runs smoothly and that customers have a positive experience when they come into your store to pick up their orders.
If you're looking for a way to drive traffic to your brick-and mortar store, consider offering click and collect on your website - no shipping required! Plus, it's a great way to provide convenience for customers who want the option of shopping online but don't want to wait for shipping times.
How to Keep Your Inventory Updated in Real-Time
It's important to make sure that your inventory is updated in real-time, otherwise, you risk selling products that are out of stock, which can frustrate and anger customers. Luckily, there are a few simple tips you can follow to keep your inventory updated:
Option 1: Use Live Inventory Management Software
One option for keeping your inventory updated in real-time is to use live inventory management software. This type of software gives you the ability to see your current inventory levels at all times, in both your brick-and-mortar store and your ecommerce website. Live inventory management software can be integrated with your POS system and your ecommerce platform, making it easy to keep track of your inventory levels in one central location.
Option 2: Use Manual Updates
Another option for keeping your inventory updated in real-time is to use manual updates. This means that you or someone on your team will need to manually update your inventory levels whenever a sale is made, or a product is restocked. While this option requires more work on your part, it can be a good option if you don't want to invest in live inventory management software.
Option 3: Use Automatic Updates
A third option for keeping your inventory updated in real-time is to use automatic updates. This means that your inventory will be automatically updated whenever a sale is made, or a product is restocked. Automatic updates can be done through integration with your POS system and/or your ecommerce platform. This option can save you time and money by cutting the need for manual updates.
Loyalty Programmes and Discounts
Here we explore the pros and cons of loyalty programs and discounts so that you can make an informed decision about what's right for your business.
Loyalty Programmes
Loyalty programs are designed to encourage customers to continue doing business with you. They typically work by giving customers points for each purchase they make, which can then be redeemed for rewards like discounts or free products. Loyalty programs can be effective in increasing sales, but they also have some drawbacks. For example, loyalty programs can be expensive to set up and maintain, and there's always the risk that customers will forget to use their points or lose them altogether. If you decide to offer a loyalty program, be sure to choose one that is well-designed and easy for your customers to use.
Discounts
Discounts are another popular way to increase sales. By offering a discount on products or services, you can entice customers who might not otherwise make a purchase. Discounts can also be used as a loyalty tool; for example, you might offer a discount to customers who have been loyal for a certain period of time. The key with discounts is to ensure that they are well-targeted and strategic; otherwise, you risk devaluing your products or services and cannibalizing your profits.
Weigh up the options
Offering loyalty programs and discounts can be an effective way to increase sales, but it's important to choose the right option for your business. Loyalty programs can be expensive to set up and maintain, but they can also encourage customers to keep coming back. Discounts are a great way to attract new customers, but you need to be strategic about how you use them so that you don't devalue your products or services. Ultimately, the best way to increase sales is to offer a combination of both loyalty programs and discounts. By doing so, you'll appeal to both new and existing customers and maximize your chances of making a sale.
There are a lot of advantages to cross-promoting your ecommerce website and your retail shops, making sure they work together perfectly. If you are interested to learn more, get in touch with us at hello@treattorbay.co.uk or book in a meeting in the diary: