4 Lessons Online Businesses Can Learn From Brick-and-Mortar Shops
Listen to feedback. The online culture makes it very easy for potential customers to write you off without a second thought. Far from having to physically turn their back on you and walk away, the modern-day consumer can simply close a window and you’re gone forever. First impressions count, and soliciting feedback from clients who can tell you what was the core of their decision to engage your services is key. Statistics and view counts are very helpful for translating the amount of traffic that comes your way. Find out how to increase the percentage of visitors that become clients and you’ll increase your income too. Listen to your client base and adjust your “store front†(landing page, web content, marketing strategies) to appeal to them and keep evolving to meet their expectations.
Upgrade and evolve. Don’t ignore the possibility of a rebrand or proverbial refurbishment of your business. As you grow, you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t, and be able to add new platforms to your repertoire. Sometimes, the idea you started with can look completely different in five years, so don’t dig your heels in. Stubbornly sticking with your original plan and refusing to evolve with your business will bring you to a standstill. Be constantly refreshing and breathing new life in to your concept to keep it thriving.
It’s no secret that the high street is dying a slow and painful death. With the majority of fresh faces in business basing themselves and their idea online, it’s easy to forget that physical commerce ever existed. But the lessons learned from years of tangible trading should not be overlooked when you’re considering creating your concept. Look back before looking forward, and you’ll give yourself a running start.
Xenios Thrasyvoulou is the founder of PeoplePerHour and SuperTasker. He is also a passionate PPHer, avid blogger, lover of art, design and all things quirky and minimal but words in particular; he’s also a fan of the uncommon and unconventional and a vintage fanatic who specializes in poking the fire and stirring things up, and suffers from an overly curious mind.
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