Retail

Digital Marketing Ideas for Retail Store Owners: How to Promote Your Business & Get More Customers

1. Live videos
Videos are a great way to engage with customers, but did you know that 80% of people prefer live videos over pre-recorded ones?

To get started, all you need is a platform with live video options, like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, or Vimeo—which you probably already have!
To increase engagement, try announcing your plans for the live video in advance so your followers can plan to tune in.

2. Promotional emails
They may be one of the oldest tricks in the digital playbook, but nothing beats an engaging promotional email. In fact, one study asked people “How often, if ever, would you like to receive promotional emails (e.g., coupons, sales notifications) from companies that you do business with?” The response?
61% of people said they’d like to receive those emails at least weekly, and 86% said monthly. That’s a ton of opportunity!

3. Branded hashtags
A branded hashtag connects customers not just to your products but also your brand—but what is it exactly? Take Old Navy’s #oldnavystyle, for example.

Customers post pictures of themselves wearing outfits from Old Navy on platforms like Instagram with the hashtag #oldnavystyle, which has created an online community around a shared love of the clothes Old Navy offers. Pick a unique hashtag that speaks to your brand values and use methods like social media, emails, and even in-store signage to encourage shoppers to use the hashtag. Make sure to follow the hashtags on social media so you can repost and feature customers in your newsletter to incentivize even more sharing!

4. Social media stories
Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp all have a Stories functions for instant, dynamic, and quick video content. There are nearly one billion users across these four platforms using Stories regularly. And nearly 64% of brands were using or planned to use Stories in their digital marketing strategies just last year. To get started, all you need is an account on one of the social media platforms we listed. Start by doing daily check-in stories,

5. Google Shopping Ads
While this guide provides lots of free (or nearly free) ways to promote your retail store, in many cases, the saying "you have to spend money to make money" rings true. But as a retail store owner that may not have a huge advertising budget, you don't want to spend your money on just anything. You'll want to make sure you're spending it where you'll get a good return on your investment.