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Hello, everyone! I wanted to stop by today and talk a little about marketing. Specifically, differences between marketing for an online based store and a physical brick and mortar location. Since I'm not a business owner myself, I wanted to get an inside look from someone I know who has done both. I spoke with a family member [Kara S., Owner of Heart + Soul Boutique] who previously ran her business online and recently transitioned to an actual storefront. Here's what she had to say:
Brick and Mortar
A physical location for your business makes marketing easier, as it draws people in on its own. This can be as simple as people being out and about on any given day and just seeing your store and stopping by to check things out. Social media holds a major role when it comes to marketing and updating your customers as inventory circulates. This is a great way for your customers to stay engaged and interested. Without a website where they can purchase your product, they may be more apt to come into the store sooner when they see new items posted.
Online Based
An online based store can create more of a challenge, especially when it comes to marketing. Along the lines of "out of sight, out of mind," rather than potential customers coming to you, you have to go to them. This is usually done by nailing down locations to set up "pop up" venues. Finding a good spot with lots of traffic can be difficult enough, then you have to tote around all of your inventory.
I can certainly see how each aspect requires its own set of unique marketing techniques. As a business owner who has maybe done both online and brick and mortar, what are the challenges of each and what marketing strategies helped you be successful?
