During the Covid-19 pandemic, many people opted to shop online for their needs. With so many people working from home, fewer people are out and about during the day. Some are hesitant to go into public places, even local businesses, for fear of contracting the virus.
Some local businesses have had to temporarily close their doors due to either government restrictions or lack of business. This made it challenging for local brands to keep their doors open, let alone increase foot traffic. But since people are starting to venture out more, businesses are taking advantage by looking for ways to increase foot traffic.
Here are a few ways local brands can boost foot traffic and gain business momentum during the pandemic:
Provide Customers With a Safe and Comfortable Environment
It’s no secret that customers like to feel safe and comfortable when shopping. After all, who wants to spend their hard-earned money in an environment that feels sketchy or dangerous? A comfortable environment is more likely to encourage customers to stick around and browse for longer, which can lead to more sales.
Providing your clients with a safe and comfy environment also shows that you care about your customers, their experience, and their health. This can help build brand loyalty, so even if a customer doesn’t make a purchase today, they’re more likely to return in the future. Businesses can achieve this in many ways.
You can start by ensuring your store is clean, organized, and a safe place for shoppers and employees alike. Take a good look at your store and address the required repairs. If you found none, check your office maintenance list and think of ways to improve the comfort level of your clients while shopping inside your store.
For instance, hiring a company for furnace repair and cleaning can be great if winter is coming and you haven’t had your furnace serviced for a long time. A dirty furnace and one that needs repair puts your store at risk for low air quality. Even if your employees or customers have no pre-existing allergies, this can still cause them to react due to the air’s irritants.
The pros will be able to take care of this for you and give you peace of mind that your store is providing a safe and comfortable environment for everyone. The same goes for improving your store while keeping Covid-protective measures in mind. This can involve anything from ensuring adequate ventilation to providing hand sanitizer and face masks for customers who forgot theirs at home.
Invest in Marketing
Investing in marketing is always a good idea, but it’s essential during these trying times. Many businesses have had to lay off employees or reduce hours, so finding the extra money to invest in marketing can be difficult. However, if you can swing it, investing in marketing is one of the best ways to increase foot traffic.
You can use many different marketing strategies to reach potential customers and get them into your store. For example, you can use local search engine optimization to make sure your store comes up when people search for businesses like yours in your area. Local SEO is a great way to reach people who are already interested in what you have to offer and are likely to visit your store if they knew you existed.
You can also use targeted online advertising to reach potential customers who may not know your business. Facebook and Google offer local advertising options that allow you to target people based on their location. With the help of professionals specializing in Facebook and Google advertising, you can reach people who live near your store but may not be familiar with it.
Offer Contactless Options
In today’s world, many people are looking for contactless options to minimize their exposure to germs. Offering products or services that can be purchased and used without contacting other people will help increase foot traffic. Take buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS) as an example.
According to a study, nearly 67% of U.S. shoppers already used BOPIS when buying the things they want and need. This became a popular option for those looking to avoid shipping costs and get their hands on their purchases faster. Customers appreciate the convenience of being able to pick up their order at a time that works for them without having to wait for it to be delivered. And stores benefit from increased foot traffic, which can lead to impulse purchases.
Another contactless option you can provide is to use a contactless payment system like Apple Pay or Google Pay. This way, customers can pay for their purchases without handling cash or using a physical credit card. And since many people are now trying to minimize the number of places they put their hands, this is a great way to make your store more appealing.
There’s no denying that the pandemic has had a significant impact on businesses all over the world. For many companies, foot traffic has decreased significantly as people stay home to avoid exposure to the virus. But just because foot traffic is down doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to increase it. By investing in your store and offering contactless options, you can ensure that your business is prepared for whatever the future holds.
