It can be a challenge to boost foot traffic to your retail establishment. Especially in these times of increased web usage and ordering. But here are some great ways to entice more customers.
Add Curbside Additions
When someone comes to your store for a reason other than to enter it, you increase the chances of them coming inside. For example, you can add a vending machine outside your coffee shop. Or even offer ATM sales near you, inside or just outside your store. This way, when someone takes the time to get out of their vehicle to use these extra services, they are likely to make a purchase when near your business. Of course, you must also manage the increase.
Make Your Business Clear
It doesn’t do your business any good if customers don’t really know what it is you offer. In fact, if someone doesn’t immediately know what you are offering, they are likely to just walk past without a second glance. Of course, they may just Google it like 90% of people these days. But that happens later on and doesn’t increase traffic. But you can remedy this pretty easily. Good quality signage, an adequate business name, and even message boards are effective. For example, place a “today’s specials” menu outside your deli store that shows you offer food.
Boost Foot Traffic with Local SEO
Search engine optimization is how you get found on the internet. So what good is this for an offline business? Well, you can use “local SEO” to make sure your real-world business attracts online traffic. These users will then visit your store. The easiest way to do this is to register with Google My Business. This ensures you show up in local searches and are visible on Google Maps. But you must also provide as much detail as possible, provide contacts and be honest.
Update According to the Season
A retail trick you may not be aware of is changing your business seasonally. This is used by retail stores for seasonal sales, restaurants for seasonal dining, and delis for seasonal produce. People will go out of their way to find seasonal items and will also often pay more for them. Of course, you can take advantage of this with seasonal holidays such as Christmas, Halloween, and Easter. But you must make sure anything you offer is entirely relevant to expectations.
Offer an Incentive to Visit
You can also increase foot traffic by offering something extra. And doing some of these things can also boost your standing within your local community. And when that happens, you have customers for life. Some popular examples include holding workshops, tutorials, and even recruitment days. For example, if you own an artisanal candy store, you can show people how you make it. And you can also have them take part in the hopes of finding a “natural” to employ.
Invest in Outdoor Advertising
You know, those big billboards you drive by on the freeway or the posters you walk past in the city? These are just some of the many tools businesses have in their marketing arsenal to guarantee foot traffic. What are the different types of outdoor advertising formats? From bus stop benches and transit posters to digital billboards and building wraps, the choices are varied and vast. Here’s the magic of outdoor advertising: It’s in your face, it’s hard to ignore, and it embeds your brand right where people are on the move. It’s like giving them a little nudge, saying, “Hey, we’re here! Come check us out.” So, if you’re looking for a surefire way to get those feet moving towards your business, going big and bold with outdoor advertising might just be your ticket!
Summary
The trick to staying in business is looking for ways to boost foot traffic into your store. You can add curbside appeal, such as vending machines, try local SEO, and hold workshops for locals.
