Before the internet was popular, customers found out about a retailer through word-of-mouth, reading the Yellow Pages, or passing by a building.
Now, by simply searching online, they can discover hundreds, even thousands of brands.
But what happens if a consumer searches for your brand? Will it lead to your website or a dead end?
Hopefully, you answered the former.
But if not, here’s a reminder about the importance of having a strong online presence.
Five reasons to build a professional website for your retail store
In a world where shoppers can purchase with the click of a button, having a website is non-negotiable for retailers. Here are the major reasons why.
1. Gather valuable customer data
Your retail store needs a website for many reasons, including reaching more customers, providing convenience, and boosting sales. However, understanding customer behaviour can be tricky. Solutions include using tools to analyse data and get customer feedback.
Tools like Salesforce Data Cloud gather customer data from different sources, giving you a complete picture of what customers like and how they shop.
This helps you create better digital marketing strategies and improve customer engagement, which leads to more sales and a better overall shopping experience.
Knowing your customers helps optimise your product offerings.
For example, an electronics retailer uses website analytics to track popular products. Discovering a high demand for a specific type of headphones, the retailer stocks more varieties and launches targeted marketing campaigns.
Without website analytics, the retailer would rely on less detailed in-store interactions and anecdotal feedback, making it harder to accurately understand customer preferences.
2. Create a strong online presence
Think of a professional website as your store’s virtual storefront. It’s open 24/7, which allows customers to browse and shop at their convenience.
It also serves as a hub for all your online activities, from social media integration to email marketing.
Optimising your site to appear in search engine results pages (SERPs) boosts your online visibility, which means more people will discover your brand.
Did you know that 76% of consumers look at a company’s online presence before visiting its physical location?
That means many of your customers who enjoy shopping in-store will go to your website before visiting in person to find out more about your brand. So, having an online presence ensures they can easily access valuable information.
Some examples of information consumers may look for include:
- Store information (e.g. location, hours, contact information)
- Customer reviews and ratings
- Return and exchange policies
- Special deals and discounts
- Customer support options
- Product descriptions
- Social media links
- Pricing
You need a content management system (CMS) to display this information effectively.
WordPress is a go-to CMS for billions of websites globally. It offers a reliable and versatile solution for businesses looking to take their retail store online. Its user-friendly interface, extensive plugin library, and robust e-commerce capabilities make it an ideal choice for retail companies.
When you finalise a hosting for WordPress, make sure you choose a hosting provider that allows your site to run smoothly, securely, and efficiently.
This powerful combination enables you to create an engaging online presence, manage your inventory effortlessly, and provide a seamless shopping experience for your customers, driving growth and success for your retail store.
3. Build trust and credibility
We live in a digital age, and customers expect instant access to the information they need to make a quick decision about a brand.
So, what happens if they search for different online retailers and realise one store doesn’t have a website? Chances are, they’ll scroll right past it.
Why? Because a store that doesn’t have an online presence is a store that isn’t up to speed on the latest trends.
And a retail business like that is probably a place customers won’t want to shop at.
A well-designed website makes a strong first impression. Having one shows that you’re a retailer that’s serious about your business and invested in creating a professional online image.
4. Reach a wider audience
One compelling reason your retail store needs a website is to reach a global audience. By establishing an online presence, you can showcase your products to customers far beyond your local area, increasing your potential market exponentially.
For example, StudioSuits, a clothing brand specialising in men’s custom wedding suits, successfully took its business online.
Creating a website opened its doors to customers worldwide, allowing them to browse, customise, and order suits from the comfort of their homes. This expansion boosted their sales and enhanced their brand recognition globally.
The convenience and accessibility of an online store allow StudioSuits to thrive, demonstrating the significant benefits a website can bring to a retail business.
So, without a website, your audience would be limited to your local area. This means potential customers outside your immediate geographical location would be unlikely to discover your store.
As a result, you’d miss out on online orders from distant customers and rely solely on local sales. This would limit your store’s growth potential.
5. Offer better customer service
When a retail brand doesn’t have a website, customers usually resort to calling, emailing, or visiting in person for customer support.
Having a website makes things a lot more convenient for customers. If they have a question or need help, you can offer access to various support options, such as FAQs, live chat, knowledge bases, or contact forms.
You could also provide features like order tracking and online returns to streamline purchases and returns.
Keep customers engaged and informed with a professional website
Attracting and retaining customers requires trust. Once you gain that trust, your retail store can grow and thrive.
However, not having a website can stunt that growth. Sure, you may be happy with your current sales and revenue. Imagine how much more you can accomplish when you reach a wider audience online.
About the author: Britney Steele
Born and raised in Atlanta, Britney is a freelance writer with 5+ years of experience. She has written for a variety of industries, including marketing, technology, business, finance, healthcare, wellness, and fitness. If she’s not spending her time chasing after three little humans and two four-legged friends, you can almost always find her glued to a book or awesome TV series.
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