If you want your small business to be competitive in today’s marketplace, you need to have an online store. Even if your brick and mortar shopping experience has been successful, giving your customers the option to shop online gives you a greater opportunity to make money, collect valuable customer data, and protect yourself against imitators. Here are just a few of the reasons why you should invest in an online store for your small business.
Low cost
A few years ago, building an online store for your business was a tall task, but now it’s never been easier. With just a few clicks, anyone can have an automated online store up and running, and you won’t have to worry about hiring extra staff to take care of it either- you can do it yourself. Advertising it online with Google or Facebook is also cheaper than advertising in the real world, and it provides a significant return on investment.
Customer data
Having an online store doesn’t just reward you with money. It’s also a great way to collect data on your customers and collect information like their emails and addresses to target them with ads. It’s also a great way to reconnect with customers you may have lost in the past due to them moving away or simply not having the time anymore to visit your physical store. In addition, Google Analytics can give you information about the habits of your online customers to better understand them.
Protection against copycats
Maybe you’re already selling online through your Amazon, eBay, or Etsy accounts, and that’s great! But people shopping online are often looking for the lowest price, not the best brand or the “real thing,” so it’s easy for you to get knocked down in the listings by copycat brands. Then, these impostors can turn around and have you declared as the fake and shut down your account! Having your storefront linked to your website helps protect you against these imitators and provides you with proof that you’re the real deal.
As you can see, there is no reason for you not to have an online store. So what are you waiting for? Go forth, and build your new store and see all the benefits you’ve been missing out on!
