Thursday, April 14, 2016

5 ways to start an in-store visit the right way

Author: YI Mobility Inc.

Every person who walks into your business is an opportunity. You want to make sure your store demonstrates acknowledgment of individual shopper value from the start. Here are five ways you can greet shoppers and put them in the mood to buy:
1. Message people in your area
It's great if people are excited to walk into your store. You can build enthusiasm - and increase foot traffic - by using a promotion solution that sends particular messages for the day. Try and develop a loyalty program delivering online promotions about particular benefits to shopping at certain times.
By sending communications through email, social media channels or text messaging, you can greet local customers long before they enter your store.
2. Keep the sidewalk clean
When a customer pulls up to your parking lot, your business should be appealing as soon as he or she sets eyes on it. The Eliot Management Group, a small-business partner, suggested keeping your storefront simple, attractive, well-lit and clean. Your windows should shine and your sidewalk should be garbage free.
Depending on your area, this may mean investing time and resources to removing obstacles for sidewalk shoppers. You have to shovel snow, clear away leaves and de-ice walkways if you want to prevent people from avoiding your sidewalk.
High-pressure hoses can remove grim and other unsightly stains.High-pressure hoses can remove grim and other unsightly stains.
3. Avoid cluttered windows
A window display can be a great attention getter, but you don't want to do too much. If you have multiple promotional posters, then no single one stands out. Shopify listed several pieces of advice for window displays and they all revolved around drawing audience eyes to a particular focal point.
You want your window display to communicate a single theme, narrative, product or promotional sale. If you have more to say, think about using other channels like beacon messages, sales clerks and social media campaigns.
4. Greet them at the door
There should also be someone at the front of your store that acknowledges each shopper. This could be a friendly hello or an initial inquiry into how a business representative can help. If an employee has time, and the consumer seems receptive to conversation, a clerk can begin with small talk or other pleasantries before talking about promotions.
This can be difficult on busy days, but an agent should never give a shopper half their attention. An employee can't say hello while working on something else, so maybe a smile and eye contact will be enough. A small but focused greeting is better than a distracted dismissal.
5. Use beacons for special promotions
If sales agents are busy and need a minute before they can address multiple customers, there are other ways to greet shoppers at the door. When a store uses beacon technology, they can send an automatic message to a person's mobile device as soon as they cross the threshold. This might be a friendly hello or a special discount based on prior activities.
Shoppers who receives acknowledgment and special treatment each time they visit a business will want to come back and see what they'll get next time. It also means they start their shopping visit off on the right foot.

The benefits of small rewards in loyalty programs

Author: YI-Mobility Inc.

A ticket for a cruise is pretty expensive, so you probably assume that it takes more than a free drink to convince someone to make a purchase. However, The Los Angeles Times reported this is exactly what might sway consumers debating multiple cruise line offers. Small rewards for loyal patronage can go a long way when customers can depend on specialized treatment. If a company can't offer a free cruise, it can promise customers they'll get more from membership sign-up than without it.
Small businesses and restaurants can learn from the cruise example and invest in programs and systems that deliver consistent rewards for loyalty as opposed to breaking the bank on big ticket items.
Small does not mean worthless
While you can make your loyalty program extremely convenient to join, customers won't go through the effort - no matter how slight - of subscription if they don't see value immediately. CRMsearch said irrelevant offers and lackluster benefits were two of the reasons loyalty programs failed.
Instead of forcing customers to jump through multiple hoops in order to eventually earn a large prize, you can give them a reward whenever they make a purchase. This means patrons will understand what they must do to earn rewards and will receive instant gratification every time they perform an activity beneficial to a store or restaurant.
A free cup of coffee is usually very persuasive. A free cup of coffee is usually very persuasive.
If you have a smart loyalty program that can track individual shopper behaviors, you can increase the value of a small gift by giving it more relevance. Minor discounts will be more appealing when they are for items the customer routinely buys.
The power of consistency
UPS research shared by EMarketer found 61 percent of U.S. consumers join loyalty programs when they earn free products, while discounts were the second preferred perk with 58 percent. Even though free stuff is attractive, stores may be better off supplying routine discounts instead of inconsistent flashy rewards.
This means companies need a solution for delivering consistent rewards. It may be as simple as a punch card system, so shoppers can see their progress. You can also try instantly delivering small discounts through beacon technology. A digital solution is helpful because consumers won't lose or forget physical cards and sabotage their own progress.
When you can monitor a loyalty membership program, you can see how rewards work. Smart solutions allow you to automate promotion campaigns and program rewards. If delivery is consistent, it not only saves you time, it provides results free from variables. You can measure the exact effectiveness of rewards of any size.
Get creative with rewards
With the proper software system and digital loyalty programs you save money and resources you can pass on to the consumer. This may mean more rewards or bigger prizes, but either way the customer should get more out of sign-up. With the extra time saved through automation, you can devote time to thinking up new campaigns.
It's great if digital software tools are also flexible so stores and restaurants can change campaigns according to customer feedback and new ideas. Small rewards may seem more exciting if they reference current events, holidays or particular consumer trends. It also allows companies to see if these innovative promotions work or if it's time to try something new.