How to Overcome a Bad Business Location

How to Overcome a Bad Business LocationWe are all hyper aware of how critical a great location is when it comes to your retail location. If you’re on a dangerous block, or a section of town no one knows about, or even just situated next to a less-than-desirable retail neighbor, your sales can be affected—and not in a good way. So, how can you make the most of your not-so-super retail real estate? That’s what we’ll discuss today!

Get Going with Advertising

Cash devoted to advertising is money well spent. Marketing is one of those areas we’ll never tell you to skimp on, and it’s why so many of our clients come to us for small business loans. Clients will get a risk-free line of credit that offers 24/7 access to 5 separate loan drafts and use it to beef up their marketing plans. If your business is desperate for passersby, create awareness from miles away with some outside-the-box thinking. Have a branded vehicle that includes your company name, number, website, etc. that you drive on a regular basis. The more eye-catching, the better! Additionally, go big and bold with your store sign and shopping bags (reusable bags are key for longevity). Have employees rock your logo on their uniforms. Get a good-spirited staffer to dress in costume and wave a sign advertising your business outside. Remember, marketing isn’t limited to mailers and social media posts. Anywhere you can splash your business name is a perfect advertising opportunity.

Get Yourself Out There

From neighboring retailers to local events, word-of-mouth is key to driving foot traffic. There are several ways to get your business’s name out there. Dropping flyers in the doctor’s office down the block or advertising your goods in the window of a neighboring non-competitive business are two ideas that won’t break the bank or detract customers. Put some thought into joining your community business associations. There, you’ll be able to connect with other small business owners who may be dealing with the same conundrum as you. Events such as sidewalk sales are a fun way to drum up awareness and sales, but be sure to check with your local agencies to learn if a special permit is required in your area. Invite media outlets to cover the events, post all about them on your social media accounts, and create a buzz with marketing materials or even giveaways.

Get an Online Presence

We’ll say it until we’re blue in the face: You need a digital presence to make a dent in your retail sales. This advice is even more significant if you’re located off the beaten path. The more engaged you are with your customer base online, the more likely they are to visit your brick-and-mortar—especially if you offer in-store promotions to sweeten the deal. Creating a human persona through your online channels, whether it be by sending out a topical email newsletter or leveraging user-generated content, is a surefire way to become a digital destination. And once you have the online following, the foot traffic will follow—regardless of your location.