In the past, business owners were limited to sticking with brick-and-mortar stores since eCommerce ones were not fully introduced yet. During this era, customers were used to buying things in physical stores and did not believe they could purchase items online.
However, eCommerce has gradually taken over and is now a dominant force in the retail industry. This shift towards online purchasing has caused some business owners to question whether or not it is still necessary to maintain a brick-and-mortar store.
Let us talk about the idea of pairing brick-and-mortar stores with eCommerce stores in more detail below.
Brick-and-Mortar Stores and eCommerce Stores
Brick-and-mortar stores are traditional stores where customers can go in and purchase items in person. Business owners who run brick-and-mortar stores typically have to worry about things such as rent, staffing, and inventory.
On the other hand, eCommerce stores are online stores where customers can purchase items through a website. eCommerce store owners typically do not have to worry about renting physical space or hiring employees, as the hosting company takes care of these tasks.
In recent years, brick-and-mortar stores have been forced to compete with eCommerce stores on price. This is because customers can easily compare prices online and see which retailer has the best deal. To remain competitive, brick-and-mortar stores need to offer lower prices than their eCommerce counterparts.
Despite the challenges that brick-and-mortar stores face, they still have advantages over eCommerce stores. One advantage is the ability to make product recommendations based on a customer’s in-store experience. Another advantage is the opportunity for customers to try products before buying them, which allows brick-and-mortar retailers to offer better deals than online retailers that only have one size or color available at any given time.
One solution that many brick-and-mortar retailers are implementing is pairing their store with an eCommerce site. The pairing gives brick-and-mortar stores access to new customers while also allowing them to continue offering lower prices than other online competitors because they don’t have as many overhead costs associated with running an eCommerce business model alone.
There are several reasons why pairing a brick-and-mortar store with an eCommerce store can be beneficial for your business:
Increased Exposure
When someone visits your brick-and-mortar store, they may not be familiar with your eCommerce store. But when you pair the two, you’ll increase your exposure and reach more potential customers. This is because you’ll be marketing to two different audiences instead of just one.
Increased Sales
When customers visit your brick-and-mortar store, they may not have the time or money to purchase what they need right then and there. But if they know that they can buy the same product online later at a lower price, they’re more likely to make the purchase. This is especially true for larger items that can’t be easily transported home from a physical store.
Lowered Overhead Costs
Running an eCommerce store requires certain overhead costs, such as website development and design, payment processing fees, and shipping and handling charges. By pairing a brick-and-mortar store with an eCommerce store, you’ll reduce these costs since you’ll only need to develop and design one website, accept payments in one way, and ship products from one location while earning money from both of your stores.
Increased Brand Awareness
When customers visit your brick-and-mortar store, they’ll see your eCommerce store’s branding as well. This will help increase brand awareness for your company and may even lead to more online sales. Increased brand awareness means that more people will know about your company and what you have to offer.
Enhanced Customer Support
If customers have any questions or problems with their orders, they can easily go to your brick-and-mortar store to get help. This personal interaction can create a stronger connection between your company and your customers, resulting in more loyal customers in the long run.
With an eCommerce store, you can also provide excellent customer support online. This is an advantage because many customers prefer to solve their problems over the phone or online rather than go to a physical store.
Increased Brand Loyalty
When customers have a positive experience with your brick-and-mortar store, they are more likely to be loyal to your company and buy from you again in the future. This is because they will associate your company with good memories and emotions, which can make them more likely to stick with you even when there are cheaper alternatives available.
eCommerce stores also have the potential to create brand loyalty, but it’s important that you provide excellent customer service and offer unique products that cannot be found elsewhere.
Increased Online Sales
Having a brick-and-mortar store can also increase your online sales. When people visit your physical location, they may see things that they like and then go home and order them from your eCommerce store.
For example, if you are selling fresh coffee beans ready for brewing in your cafe, you can increase sales by posting these products in your eCommerce store. Before you know it, you will generate more income over time.
Research shows that 82% of shoppers conduct online research before purchasing in a physical store. So, by having both a brick-and-mortar and an eCommerce store, you’ll be able to reach more potential customers and increase your sales.
Successful Pairing
Business owners these days need to be creative to stay competitive. If you’re looking for a way to stand out from the crowd, pairing a brick-and-mortar store with an eCommerce store is a great option. This approach can lead your business to success, especially if you do it right.