9 Benefits of Running Your Business from a Store Rather Than Online

E-commerce is becoming a more and more popular business model for companies within different industries, especially for start-ups and small businesses that may not have the required start up capital to run their business out of an office or store. In fact, even some businesses that provide face to face services, such as consulting services or talking therapies, are making the decision to use online applications such as Skype to connect with their customers.

However, while online solutions to business might seem practical, they are not necessarily the most effective models for business, and there is a lot of be said for operating out of a store where you can connect with your customers in a much more human manner.

If you run a business, or are in the process of setting one up, and are currently torn between online and in-store services, then here are ten benefits of running your business from a physically accessible setting that might interest you.

Convenience for customers

While it’s true that being able to shop from the comfort of your own home is convenient, a lot of customers find it difficult to find products that they like based off pictures and product descriptions.

Being able to see a product in person and physically interact with it will often be enough to help a customer make an informed decision on their purchase. Additionally, it also means that if a customer needs a product at short notice, they are able to visit your store and collect it the same day.

The chance to stand out from the crowd

One of the best things about a store is that it can be designed entirely to your specifications, giving you the opportunity to stand out from the crowd and attract custom to your store based entirely on its aesthetics. While it’s true that websites can also be made to a specific design, a customer would have to first click on your website to appraise its design and functioning, whereas a store is visually perceptible to all who pass by it.

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A more personalized experience

One of the biggest downsides to online stores is that they are all quite generic, and one could easily be confused for the other. This is because the format of all online stores is effectively the same, though it is true that some are better designed than others.

It is in this area that the in-store customer experience excels, as you are able to interact with your customers on a one-to-one basis and ensure that they have a completely personalized shopping experience to suit their individual needs. You also have the scope to act as a personal shopper, with the necessary knowledge and advice to direct customers towards products that would best suit them.

The ability to test merchandise

It can be quite off-putting for customers when they are unable to see what a product looks like in person before purchasing, and this is one of the reasons why so many products end up being returned on a large scale to e-commerce stores: customers like to try before they buy.

Therefore, while stores might not necessarily get the same flow of traffic that e-commerce sites do, they do tend to receive much more reliable purchases that are less likely to be returned, due to the customer knowing exactly what they are buying in store.

Stores allow for inspiration through browsing

When people shop online, it is mostly with the focus of buying a particular product; therefore, more often than not they are likely to stop browsing once they have found their intended item. One of the best things about a store’s design is that they encourage ‘window shopping’ and people are enticed into stores by items that catch their eye or intrigue them; in fact, many people go to malls and stores to pass the time for this specific reason. This opens up more scope for the discovery of new items which may interest them, and encourages unplanned purchases.

Purchases are much more satisfying for customers

It is true that buying products online can be satisfying in its own way, as customers still get the excitement of knowing that a parcel will be arriving in the coming weeks. However, many consumers enjoy the satisfaction of being able to immediately leave with the products they have paid for in hand, and this is why purchasing products in store is often a much more gratifying experience.

Creates a more sociable environment

Online stores provide a very automated shopping environment, which can be unappealing to customers who enjoy the experience of being able to interact with other shoppers and friendly salespeople who can steer them in the right direction with their purchases. Going out to a mall or store is also just a fun way for customers to socialize with friends and family when they have nothing better to do, something which cannot be enjoyed when shopping online.

Stores appear more trustworthy

When browsing online, all shoppers can be a little hesitant about giving their custom to an unknown or small business, especially one that they haven’t had any previous experience shopping with. There are plenty of scam sites on the internet which can charge high premiums for poor quality products, which is off-putting for the cautious consumer.

However, a store having a physical presence in the local community that a customer can return to if they are not one hundred percent satisfied with a product, provides much more peace of mind, which in turn encourages reliable sales.

More convenient payment methods

Some customers don’t like to make purchases on their card for various reasons, such as wanting to avoid too much frivolous spending or concerns regarding giving their private information to an unknown company. Having a physical store means that customers can choose to pay in cash if they prefer, meaning that you can offer more convenient payment methods to suit the variety of needs your customers may have.