21st-century technology has brought about the rise of digital businesses and shops that purely exist on the internet. This is because shopping and purchasing food, items, or services online has become much more convenient for consumers than having to go to physical stores.
Most businesses have adapted to this demand in the market by existing in both dimensions — in the physical and digital worlds — which allowed them to cater to a wider audience. But doing so will require more manpower and operational costs that not everyone can afford.
This development in the business industry has pushed brick-and-mortar business owners to adapt or risk eventual closure because of the lack of customers. However, all hope is not lost. Brick-and-mortar businesses have a natural charm that digital shops can’t compete with, and you can use that to your advantage.
So don’t think for a second that you are losing relevance just because your business isn’t dominating the digital sphere. In fact, everyone else moving onto another platform only gives you plenty of room to succeed where you are. Here are four ways that your brick-and-mortar business can thrive in the digital age:
Hone Your Customer Relationship Skills
Beyond the service or product quality of a business, the customers value their positive experiences when working with you more than anything. Having a physical outlet where you can communicate with your customers outside the scope of business makes for better client-service relationships.
The reason why brick-and-mortar businesses have stood the test of time is that they are closer to their communities. This is especially true for small businesses that have been in the same spot for years or decades and offering their services to their neighbors or fellow citizens.
For instance, a person who comes in through your doors at least once a month may have chosen your shop the first time because of convenience, but you made them come back repeatedly because you were able to establish a relationship with them.
Building a mutually beneficial relationship with your customers is easier done when face-to-face, and this is something that digital businesses can’t offer. So use this to your advantage and bank on your ability to connect to more people on a deeper level to make your business thrive.
Utilize Your Business Environment
Brick-and-mortar businesses are known for their eye-catching storefronts that make the customers come inside and have a look around. There’s something about compelling visuals that are inviting to passersby, which can potentially drive growth in sales or profits.
People on the internet have shorter attention spans, and if the website isn’t as appealing to the eyes, most of them tend to leave before they even have the chance to discover what the site is about. But since you have a physical store that people can enter, you can give them an entirely different experience.
For example, you have an eye-catching sign in your storefront that raises intrigue among passersby and makes them want to enter your store. But before your customers even get to your door, they are already experiencing what it’s like to work with you without their knowledge.
You can do that by ensuring that the asphalt paving of your sidewalk is clear of any safety hazards or that the landscaping outside your store is maintained and well-groomed. With a brick-and-mortar business, you have the opportunity to use your environment to attract customers and make sure that they are enjoying their time in your care.
Stay on Top of the Trends
One of the best qualities of any business is the ability to adapt to changes. Following and staying on top of your industry’s trends is the perfect way to show your customers that you aren’t resistant to change just because you’re still a brick-and-mortar business.
You don’t need to transfer to the digital world for you to compete with other businesses, especially if your target market is the community in which you already exist. Keeping up with the latest news and trends surrounding the field of your business can be as simple as upgrading your technologies or streamlining your processes with new software.
Besides, not all growing trends are sensible for your business. Learning about the trends and applying them to your business are two different things. You have to learn how to identify and distinguish which trends have the potential to be game-changers that can benefit your business from those that cannot.
So don’t let the age of technology and the multitudes of digital businesses intimidate you from doing what you do best. Let them navigate the complex digital sphere while you strive to find success in the physical world. There are enough customers in the world for all of you anyway.