If you really want to increase foot traffic to your physical store, you need to make the extra time and effort spent traveling worthwhile. We offer an experience that cannot be obtained through online shopping. For example, places like Costco offer customers the opportunity to try new products through free food samples provided in-store.
All these tactics have something in common. They appeal to your senses. Taste, touch, smell, sound, and sight all need to be used to create a unique in-store experience. Depending on your industry, create an atmosphere with music, fresh scents, things to touch, things to try, etc. Let them smell fresh baked goods, touch the patterns on the tiles, and listen to the whisper-quiet sound of a portable fan. Make your customers feel welcome, keep them coming back for more, and get free word-of-mouth marketing.
Clothing stores can offer in-person fittings so you can find the right size or try on an outfit before purchasing. Cafes and restaurants offer cozy places to eat and relax. At mattress stores, you can try out mattresses under the guidance of a salesperson.
Another way to attract customers to your store is to host events. Bookstores are popular locations for author book signings, and many small grocery stores host trick-or-treating for locals each year. Use seasons, holidays, and local celebrities to draw customers from home to your store. With just a few events a year, you can maintain regular foot traffic and stay connected with your loyal customers.
But events should be about more than just activities and popular guests, they should also be about connecting with the local community. Small businesses in particular thrive on community connections and customer loyalty. Big companies can provide convenience, but they can truly care about the community and the people who live there. You can do this by hosting charity events, participating in trade shows, and partnering with other small businesses in your area for local holidays and celebrations.
When it comes to giveaways, you don’t need to make a big deal to attract customers. Most of the time, free stuff is free, and something as simple as a pencil or a fridge magnet will remain in your home for years as a reminder of your visit to the store. Brochures and business cards are useful, but they end up being trash. If you want your customers to think about your business regularly, choose long-lasting gifts like keychains, promotional water bottles, and reusable shopping bags.
Promotional gifts can also be given seasonally during specific holidays or promotional events, sent to newsletter subscribers, or handed out at the door or at the register as a thank you for visiting your store. For larger promotional gifts like backpacks or logoed wine glasses, consider in-store promotions like these: B. Give away a prize for every 100 people. The more you reward customers when they come, the more foot traffic you will see.