Technology gives businesses a competitive advantage over other companies. The right software or platform, for instance, can help businesses deliver stellar customer service. What’s more, entrepreneurs can use technology to draw more customers to their online or brick-and-mortar stores and improve their bottom line.
If your business is struggling to attract more customers to your retail establishment, don’t hesitate to use technology to your advantage.
Here are five ways to use technology to get more customers entering your store and purchasing your products, goods or services:
#1 Create an Informative, Engaging and Search Engine-Friendly Website
This may seem basic, but not every business out there has a website. A report from CNBC revealed that nearly half of small business owners don’t have a website.
If your business doesn’t have a website yet, now is the time to create one. A website allows you to showcase your goods and services to your potential customers in the best way possible. What’s more, it makes your company more accessible to consumers. A smartly designed and intuitive site is where your customers can discover everything about your business. They find information, such as your company history, products and contact information.
When you’re building an excellent website for your business, you need to make sure that it’s visually pleasing. After all, positive first impressions are important when you’re trying to build your customer base.
Also, you want your website to be visible on search engines. Your functional and beautiful website won’t do you any good if your customers are unable to find you on the search results.
If you’re going to create a website, your can do it yourself (which can take a while). Alternatively, you could outsource online marketing projects, such as web design and search engine optimization, as you focus on managing your business.
#2 Harness the Power of Augmented Reality
Pokémon Go wouldn’t be possible without this technological innovation.
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that merges the real world and the virtual realm by overlaying virtual add-ons to the real-world environment. Individuals can view these digital elements using two things: a mobile device like a smartphone or a camera and a specific AR app. Augmented reality is a highly mobile innovation that satisfies the demand of customers who are frequently on the go.
AR isn’t exclusive for gaming. Businesses can use this technology to draw more customers and rack up more sales. AR delivers immersive experiences to consumers. Whether the goal is to find out how a mandala flower artwork would look in the living room or show an advert by pointing a smartphone camera at an AR object, this innovative technology takes visualization to a new level.
As a business owner, you could use augmented reality to create a 3D shop that replicates the experience of shopping at a traditional brick-and-mortar establishment. Providing customers the option to try a product before making a purchase greatly enhances their shopping experience.
#3 Use 3D Printing to Your Advantage
If you’re looking to personalize your products to get more customers to buy them, 3D printing may just be the technology you need. Many everyday objects can be 3D printed, such as an LED lamp, a credit card wallet and a toothpaste tube squeezer.
What makes 3D printing awesome is its potential to customize products. You could tweak the designs and configure the settings of the printer according to the requirements set by the customers. Thanks to this technology, customers will have more control and say in the products that they purchase.
#4 Install Touchscreen Kiosks in Your Business Establishment
Stationary touchscreen kiosks situated at the entrance of your retail establishment are attractive and helpful technologies for your customers. They’re more versatile than a digital catalog or a traditional message board, as shoppers can participate in surveys that deliver feedback about your store and help propel your marketing efforts. Of course, you’ll need to invest in suitable security measures for these, whether that’s electronic locking equipment, security cameras, or something else entirely.
#5 Use Social Media for Your Business
Social networking websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, aren’t just for communicating with other people. Businesses can use these platforms to get more customers coming into their stores.
An example of using social media to your advantage is to organize a Twitter party. You could, for instance, hold a live tweet event concerning the launch of your company’s new service or product. You could organize this event by announcing the party time and date to your Twitter followers and coming up with hashtags associated with the release. If these tags end up trending during and after the party hour, you could attract more customers interested in purchasing your new product or service.
Implement these technologies properly to attract more customers to your store. By leveraging these tech suggestions, you stay interesting and relevant to your customers.