The retail trade is a pretty competitive market, and you’ll no doubt have a lot of competition no matter what you’re selling. Consumers are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to shop, so what can you do to make your boutique stand out from the crowd? We’ve outlined some top tips that will help you market your boutique and stay one step ahead of the competition. Tell a story about you and your products Having a story to tell will help customers develop a loyalty to you and your boutique. This could be discussing why you opened your own boutique, or where you source your products from. For example, here at Tempest Design, all of our products are ethically sourced - which tells consumers that we’re a caring and considerate company. If you want more information about the risks of selling unethical products, have a look at our blog post which outlines the risks of selling jewellery made with bad metals. Think about your unique selling points, the things that make you different from your competitors, and promote these to your customers. By having a story to tell, you’ll give your boutique a unique personality. Use social media It’s no good having a story to tell if you don’t have anywhere to tell it! Having a strong online presence is crucial, and social media is a key method for engaging potential customers and getting the word out there about your boutique. It’s also (mostly) free to use, which is always a plus! According to Fit Small Business, these are the 10 best social media platforms for small businesses in 2018: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Google My Business Yelp Foursquare Pinterest Snapchat Depending on the demographic you want to target, you should consider what will be the most effective platforms. Do some research around each social media platform, thinking about who you want to target and what the best methods are to reach that audience. When you start getting queries from customers, you know you’re getting somewhere! Be sure to answer them in a timely fashion though. Being ignored by companies online is a major bugbear for savvy shoppers. Have a fabulous website We all know how frustrating it can be to use an inefficient website when trying to make a purchase, and more often than not it can result in the customer leaving the site - which is not what you want! Having a user-friendly website is extremely important, especially if you decide to sell products online. This could mean anything from mobile compatibility to a well-formatted layout. Try to make sure your website is as seamless and easy to navigate as possible. Remember that your website is also a reflection of your boutique. Customers will associate the aesthetics and layout of your website with your store - so think carefully about the colours, fonts, and images you want to represent your boutique. Your website is also a good place to feature interesting content for your customers. This could be a press release for the opening of your store, live feeds from your social media accounts, or a blog just like this one! This will encourage customers to engage with your website and familiarise themselves with you and your boutique. Don’t forget - people talk! Word of mouth is one of the most effective methods for spreading the word about your boutique. Receiving a recommendation from a friend or family member resonates more than seeing an ad or an online review. Deliver excellent customer service and high quality products to ensure that your customers are spreading the word about your boutique! If you are looking to purchase quality fashion jewellery and handbags for your boutique, why not create an account with Tempest Designs to view the range of wholesale items we have available?
