Nowadays, shopping has become less of a hassle thanks to the internet. Large businesses are competing with each other to stand out from the crown. They’re using every existing innovative technique and tool to keep them ahead in the market and further expand their reach.
As a local business, it’s vital to remember that your customers are also within the grasp of other companies in the vicinity. It’s, therefore, imperative to make the right moves to maintain customer loyalty. On that note, we’ve listed below four tips to make your brand appealing to local customers.
1. Try to be more efficient.
A sure way to always stay ahead of the game is to provide better services. Locals will (more often than not) patronize a local brand that offers an efficient service. This means delivering on time and meeting the customer’s specific needs. No doubt, customer service should be top-notch to leave a lasting customer experience.
A sure way to be efficient is by incorporating technology into your business operations. For example, customer relationship management software will be very useful. You can also use better communication tools for swifter delivery services. To evaluate performance, a top rated retail analytics software will also come in handy. Such software offers valuable metrics which you can quickly analyze to understand the preferences and patterns of clients. This way, you can better meet the needs of the locals.
2. Always be stocked up.
Nobody wants to visit a shop that never has stock. Hence, you must strike the right deals with other suppliers. This way, shoppers won’t be tempted to go online. For instance, if you run a beauty salon and your analytics indicate female shoppers in your community spend more on eye extension products (e.g., magnetic lash and magnetic liner) like those offered on Glamnetic, ensure those products are always in stock. This will award you with a better reputation. Also, you’ll better capture the loyalty of local customers.
3. Show communal loyalty.
As a local business, it’s always a good idea to take part in community events. Locals will see your brand as a major investor in the growth and development of their community. They’ll also see themselves as stakeholders in making sure your business thrives. After all, your successes are intertwined.
Try to have a lasting impact on your local community by being a lifelong sponsor of communal activities. This will go a long way in consolidating your influence. It also helps if you recruit locally. This is because local employees will likely have a vested interest n the success of your company, especially if they see how much it’s benefiting their community. This ultimately results in an increased workflow. Very likely, staff will also feel that their success is interlinked with that of your brand.
4. Be active online and offline.
Nowadays, there are many local businesses profiting largely from their online presence. This is especially true for those that are. regularly active on social media. What’s even better that search tools are becoming more specific in showing the visibility of the nearest searched businesses. This gives you an edge to market yourself further in the digital space. With the right digital marketing strategy, your business’s presence should be immensely noticed.
It’s also important to have accounts on all the major social media platforms. Also, try to offer content that engages your audience and promotes your community as well. Even better, use a catchphrase in identifying people from that area—a moniker sort of.
You can also include a gallery of images that promote both your brand and your local community and tag as many local shops as you can. You can use all this to build camaraderie between locals and your brand.