Using Multi-Channel Retailing to Get Your Business Seen
The best way to guarantee sales is to get your business viewed by as many potential customers as possible and having better deals than your competitors. However, in a world where technology is ever-changing, you have to evolve your channels for customers and to keep on top of competitors.
Customers want (and have always wanted) products and services for the cheapest price. To do this in the past, they would have to traipse up and down their local high street, looking in every shop for the best deal. Now, due to advances in technology, customers are able to compare products from different shops around the world; just by using their smartphone anywhere.
In the past, it was common practice for a business to own a physical shop. Whether you sold carpets or insurance, having a physical shop for potential customers to come in and directly inquire about the product or services that you provide was a must-have. Having a physical shop does give your business a more approachable appearance, however, it can be expensive to upkeep a building and your customers’ method of shopping is continuously changing.
What is Multi-Channel Retailing?
Multi-channel retailing is a marketing strategy that offers your customers a choice of ways to buy products. A successful multi-channel strategy covers purchases from a physical store, website, telephone orders, mail orders, interactive television, catalogue ordering and comparison shopping sites. Having as many of these channels as possible will maximise your revenue.
However, if it is not realistic or viable for your business to use some of the multi-channel strategy methods mentioned, the cheapest and easiest channel is having a company website. A website allows you to be seen by a large number of potential customers from many areas in the country with the ability for them to call, email or mail you; it’s not just about selling but ensuring you are online and being seen.
Our Examples of Multi-Channel Retailing Methods
The Sirius Buying Group is a comparison shopping site version of Multi-Channel retailing for kitchen electrical appliances which expand the number of customers that retailers can reach using their website. Customers are able to compare products on the Sirius comparison shopping site and then find the shop nearest to them that stocks that product.
Each retailer also benefits from having had their own site for the Sirius Buying Group website to link to. If no website is available, a telephone number and physical shop address will replace it with their other Multi-Channel methods. This allows customers to be able to make a purchase without any complications as they have multiple options to use. If potential customers don’t make a purchase, retailers are then able to use their contact details in the future (if permission is given) to follow up and possibly complete a sale. Retailers in the group are also encouraged to provide the information of other retailers in the group that are located nearer to the customer. This will ease their shopping experience and keep the sale within the group.
Why Should I Utilise Multi-Channel Retailing?
Getting your business name out and becoming a trusted and recognised local business will boost your client base and reputation, meaning customers local to your shop will find it easier to come to your shop rather than spend time searching around. This will then result in higher sales for you from your loyal local customer base, and them then telling friends and furthering your customer reach to customers in other locations.
How can Digital NRG help me?
Getting your business seen is the most important reason for Multi-Channel Retailing. If your business isn’t seen, you cannot make the sale and maximise your revenue. At Digital NRG we offer a range of solutions for getting your business noticed on the internet, from creating a website to producing a bespoke content marketing strategy for you. By using many SEO strategies, such as Google Adwords and Facebook Advertising, to ensure that your website is above your competitors in Google search results.
Be Found – Be Chosen – Convert
