How to Handle a Bad Economy

The more news I read the more I hear that small business is really hurting during this economic downturn. While I understand the anxiety that many business owners face, one must ask, what are you doing about it? Are you just complaining or are you taking new steps to drum up business. With less money floating around now is the time to be aggressive versus sitting around hoping and complaining that they just walk through your door.

Let’s look at the average consumer these days. Getting a good deal is very important to them. That is why nearly 80% of local buyers will shop via the internet first. This is fast and requires no outlay to find a good offer. Once they find that offer they buy it over the internet and have it delivered. NO THEY DON’T! While a good price is important it is still more important to know they have someone standing behind the product. The last thing anyone can afford is money that is wasted through an unscrupulous internet seller, so they will purchase it locally almost 70% of the time.

This then begs the question what are you doing to get in front of this person? Are you just there hoping they will find you? This is what I mean by being aggressive in your small business. First make sure you are ranking high in Google for all local search terms. I won’t go into numbers but you need to be on the first page or people won’t find you. When they do find you it is imperative you drive them into your store.

Next, you must be making a splash in social networking. Not only do these sites rank high, there are thousands of potential buyers there. They congregate to discuss things and some of the discussions will be about have you ever bought X? If you sell X wouldn’t you want to be in that discussion?

The internet is a lot like being in a mall with buyers all around. Do you close the storefront? No you put deals and specials at the door that almost begs consumers to come in and check out your store. You give away little knick knacks that almost guilt the shopper to come in. You hand out coupons all over the mall to try and drive people into the store. The owner stands in a place to welcome and introduce themselves inspiring trust.

So know look at your website like it is a storefront in a mall. Give away coupons to get them to come in. Make sure you list your loss leaders on the front page to keep people at your store. Use social sites to get them to know and like you. They will be loyal if they know, like, and trust you.

These are all things you can accomplish on your own to drive up sales. They do take time and effort but will be worth it now and in the future. The difference with marketing on the internet it stays versus other advertising that needs to be constantly run. If you don’t think you have the time or expertise, look up a local seo person to help. They are small business owners like yourself and understand how to implement this strategy at the best cost for you. I, of course, would be willing to help!