After relocating your business, you have to ensure a steady clientele to be a success. It requires thorough research to carefully choose a new location for your business that will increase your customer base and profit.
However, even if your new location has a better business climate and is more suited for your product or service, you must still actively work to draw new patrons in your doors. Read on for some useful tips to attract new customers to your business and keep them coming back for more.
Know your demographic
To effectively attract customers to your new location, it's imperative to understand the type of consumers that are interested in your business. This could change after you relocate your business, depending on the population of your new region. You may have to alter your marketing strategy to appeal to a new branch of potential patrons.
For example, if you own a coffee shop that has moved from a suburban family area to a hip college town, your advertising and social media efforts should reflect this shift in demographic. While both groups have the potential to be interested in your business, your efforts to attract them would not be the same.
Get the word out
Before you move your business, you will want to advertise your impending relocation to all of your current customers so they can continue to patronize your business-as long as you aren't going too far, of course. Once you set up shop in your new locale, you should make the same efforts to reach residents there and let them know you have arrived.
Use every resource at your disposal to spread the word about your new location, including:
- Facebook. While posting about your move on your Facebook page will only reach your current followers, a Facebook ad campaign can help you reach new customers. Facebook ads allows you to target specific demographics to reach exactly who you want to reach.
- Twitter. Tweet about your new location and any upcoming sales and events to get retweets from your followers spreading the word.
- Flyers. Print out vibrant, eye-catching flyers to display at other local businesses, place on windshields or hand out to passersby. If you are holding any special sales or promotions, be sure to include it on the flyer.
- Paid advertising. Print and radio advertising are conventional and effective ways to get your business noticed. Be sure to choose outlets that appeal to your desired demographic.
- Press releases. Write a press release announcing your business' arrival in town and provide details about what sets you apart from the competition. Send the release out to local news outlets or use a wire service to distribute it for you for a fee.
Hold sales and use incentives. The best way to get customers into your establishment is to offer them something they can't refuse. Promotional sales, coupons and special discounts gives your customers a reason to come in and check you out. Other incentives, such as loyalty programs, will then give your patrons a reason to return. Effective tools to secure repeat customers include stamp-cards that rewards patrons with a free product or service after 10 paid ones, or club cards that garner "reward points" with each dollar spent.
Use location-based services
When offering promotional deals and other incentives, utilize location-based services that will reach numerous customers in your demographic and region. Mobile apps like Living Social, Groupon and Four Square are wildly popular and allow users to search for the type of business and/or the city/area they live. You can use these websites to post information about your latest deals, offers, and discounts and easily and effectively reach people that are actively seeking what you have to offer.
Throw a grand opening
Throwing a grand opening can draw significant attention to your business and effectively attract new customers. The event should include the traditional prize giveaways, free food, decorations, and a ribbon-cutting. Invite high-profile guests such as the mayor, city council members, Chamber of Commerce official, local business association members, local business officials, and most importantly, the press. A story about your grand opening is incredible-and free-advertising!
Let everyone know about your grand opening with flyers, social media, paid advertisements, and press releases.