We love boutique shops. They are unique. They offer products we can't find on shelves in big stores. And don't even get me started on the people who run those shops. They are oh so friendly!
The problem is it's so hard for boutique shops to survive in today's economy, with Amazon shopping and manufacturer price gouging. So we have to tackle the issue from a different angle.
Today, we will use our client Edmonds Vitamins and Herbs as an example, to illustrate how we use technology, namely website, to help small boutique shops grow their business.
 |
| Owner Justin |
Ditch Old School Thinking and Embrace New World Solutions
Many boutique shops are still operating in a manner that was common before the internet became mainstream — they rely on word-of-mouth referrals and social media exposure to bring in new customers, but they don't have an online presence beyond their website (if they even have one at all).
The internet has been a boon for small businesses. It's allowed them to reach a wider audience, reduce overhead and marketing costs, and increase productivity. But as the digital landscape continues to evolve, many of these same businesses are struggling to keep up with the technological shifts that are occurring within their industry.
Having a modern website will benefit boutique shops from both the advertising standpoint and the convenience standpoint.
Play to Your Strength - Focus on the Experience Instead of the Price
Online shopping is competitive in terms of pricing. But the strength of boutique shops lies in the experience they can offer. Customers don't just come to the shop to purchase goods. It can be part of a date they're on. The products on the shelves are great conversation starters. The shop can be a tourism stop.
There are plenty of customers who value in-person experiences. But you need to be on their radar in the first place. You do that by displaying as much attractive information about your boutique shop on your website as possible.
Put Yourself in Search Results and Educate Your Customers
Having a regularly updated blog on your website can help you appear more in searches and educate your customers. Customers love to read informative and compelling stories. So go ahead and tell your stories. Brag about your products. Introduce yourself to your customers.
Make sure to include popular keywords in your blog articles. Examples are "date spots in Edmonds, WA". "boutique shops in Edmonds", etc.
