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There’s a lot of advertising advice out there. That’s because there are tons of ways to advertise! From internet marketing to television commercials, billboards, and radio advertising, there is no end to the number of ways you can get people to notice your brand.
Just ensure you don’t forget the obvious—advertising outside your store!
No matter your location, people are always walking and driving by. They may not know your Facebook page exists, but if you can get them to take a closer look at your building, they may just stop in the next time they’re on their way home from work.
How do you stand out and get people to notice your brick-and-mortar store? Here are a few ideas.
Getting customers to notice your brick-and-mortar store involves a combination of visual appeal, strategic marketing, and engaging experiences. Here are effective ways to attract attention:
1. Eye-Catching Storefront Design
- Window Displays: Create visually appealing window displays that showcase your best products or seasonal themes. Change them regularly to keep them fresh and interesting.
- Signage: Use bold, creative signage that stands out and reflects your brand’s personality. Ensure it’s visible from a distance and clearly communicates what you offer.
- Lighting: Effective lighting, especially at night, can make your store look inviting and highlight key products or features.
2. Promotions and Special Events
- Flash Sales and Discounts: Use banners, posters, or digital screens outside your store to announce limited-time promotions or exclusive offers.
- Seasonal Events: Host in-store events or themed activities to attract crowds, such as holiday sales, pop-up markets, or product launches.
- Grand Opening or Re-Opening: If new or recently renovated, create buzz with a grand opening event featuring special deals, entertainment, or giveaways.
3. Interactive and Engaging Experiences
- In-Store Demonstrations: Offer live demos or workshops that encourage customers to engage with your products or services.
- Sampling Stations: If applicable, set up sampling stations for products like food, cosmetics, or beverages to entice passersby to step inside.
- Photo Opportunities: Create an Instagram-worthy spot in or outside your store where customers can take photos, encouraging them to share their experience on social media.
4. Strategic Location Marketing
- Local Partnerships: Collaborate with neighboring businesses or local events to create a network of support and attract shared foot traffic.
- Pop-Up Shops: Partner with other brands to host pop-up shops, attracting their followers to your store.
- Street Marketing: Use street teams, flyers, or sidewalk chalk art to direct attention to your store’s location.
5. Leverage Technology
- Digital Signage: Use digital screens outside your store to display dynamic, eye-catching visuals or promotional content.
- Geo-Targeted Ads: Use online ads that target people in your store’s vicinity, encouraging them to visit with exclusive offers or updates.
- Social Media Engagement: Promote your store’s location, products, and events through social media, encouraging customers to check in or share their experiences for discounts.
6. Enhance Curb Appeal
- Landscaping: Maintain a neat and welcoming exterior with plants, flowers, or greenery that make your store more inviting.
- Outdoor Seating or Displays: If possible, set up outdoor seating, product displays, or a small café area to create an interactive space for customers.
- A-Frame Signs: Use A-frame boards or sandwich boards to display daily specials or messages that grab the attention of foot traffic.
7. Loyalty Programs and Rewards
- Exclusive Offers: Provide exclusive in-store discounts or offers to loyal customers, motivating them to visit frequently.
- Loyalty Programs: Implement loyalty programs where customers can earn points or rewards for shopping in-store, encouraging repeat visits.
By combining visual appeal, events, strategic marketing, and engaging experiences, you can effectively attract customers and increase foot traffic to your brick-and-mortar store.
Use Balloons and Inflatables
Everyone loves inflatables! There’s just something about a bouncy castle or an inflatable slide that brings back memories.
Take advantage of that excitement and use an inflatable to promote your business. You could use an inflatable mascot or an oversized inflatable with your company’s name.
Don’t have the money or space for an oversized inflatable? Keep things simple with advertising balloons. Heavy-duty balloons will stand up to the weather better than traditional balloons and can be reused repeatedly.
Take advantage of that excitement and use an inflatable to promote your business. You could use an inflatable mascot or an oversized inflatable with your company’s name.
Don’t have the money or space for an oversized inflatable? Keep things simple with advertising balloons. Heavy-duty balloons will stand up to the weather better than traditional balloons and can be reused repeatedly.
Hang Wall Flags
Location is everything. It is essential to choose your business’s location carefully, and for many, that means setting up shop in a square or other area where shop after shop is located right next door.
It’s great for foot traffic, and many businesses discover new customers who frequent other stores in the area. However, if you’re new, customers aren’t a given. Many people will walk right on by.
Make it easy for pedestrians to see your store by hanging a wall flag. They jut out from the wall, enabling walkers to see your store name and logo by looking forward instead of crushing their necks to see what’s inside your window. It may be just what you need to get noticed in a sea of shops.
It’s great for foot traffic, and many businesses discover new customers who frequent other stores in the area. However, if you’re new, customers aren’t a given. Many people will walk right on by.
Make it easy for pedestrians to see your store by hanging a wall flag. They jut out from the wall, enabling walkers to see your store name and logo by looking forward instead of crushing their necks to see what’s inside your window. It may be just what you need to get noticed in a sea of shops.
Rethink Your Window Display
If you’ve got a few mannequins in the window, and that’s it, it’s time to rethink your window display.
If you want people to notice your store, you must give them a reason to look. A great window display can do just that!
A few great window display ideas include:
Move Your Advertising out of the Store Signage on the outside of your store and the window display inside your store are great ways to attract customers, but you’re missing out on some great opportunities if you don’t think outside your store's footprint.
Outdoor signs and displays that can be placed directly on the sidewalk or placed in the grass outside your location are an obvious answer, but some more creative ideas can get you noticed.
For example, consider using sidewalk chalk to direct people straight to your door, or place a few advertising signs in the parking lot.
If you want people to notice your store, you must give them a reason to look. A great window display can do just that!
A few great window display ideas include:
- Create themed displays for holidays like Valentine's day and July 4th
- Surprise customers by placing unexpected objects in your display
- Consider hanging things from the ceiling
- Don't shy away from bold patterns and bright colors
- Use lighting creatively, especially if your store is open at night
- No matter how you design your window display, change it out often. You may not have caught someone’s attention last week, but you may next week with a new display!
Move Your Advertising out of the Store Signage on the outside of your store and the window display inside your store are great ways to attract customers, but you’re missing out on some great opportunities if you don’t think outside your store's footprint.
Outdoor signs and displays that can be placed directly on the sidewalk or placed in the grass outside your location are an obvious answer, but some more creative ideas can get you noticed.
For example, consider using sidewalk chalk to direct people straight to your door, or place a few advertising signs in the parking lot.
Repaint Your Building
It seems that gray and tan are the go-to colors for retail buildings. That’s a bummer for businesses that want to stand apart from their competitors.
Instead of using drab, lifeless hues, use color to your advantage. There are different colors that will evoke different emotions in your customers, but if nothing else, at least a bright blue building stands apart from the rest!
Do you have rules about repainting the building? Consider repainting it anyway. Even if it’s not a bright color, a fresh coat of paint always looks nicer than dull, weather-worn walls.
Don’t stand behind the counter for hours waiting for someone to stop into your store. Take an active approach online to get your brand noticed, and you should also take an active approach to getting your store noticed. Try the tips on this list, and you’ll boost your foot traffic in no time!
Instead of using drab, lifeless hues, use color to your advantage. There are different colors that will evoke different emotions in your customers, but if nothing else, at least a bright blue building stands apart from the rest!
Do you have rules about repainting the building? Consider repainting it anyway. Even if it’s not a bright color, a fresh coat of paint always looks nicer than dull, weather-worn walls.
Don’t stand behind the counter for hours waiting for someone to stop into your store. Take an active approach online to get your brand noticed, and you should also take an active approach to getting your store noticed. Try the tips on this list, and you’ll boost your foot traffic in no time!
