7 Reasons to take Brick & Mortar Stores Online in 2023!

The age of the digital revolution has dramatically transformed the way we conduct business today. E-commerce has been a driving force in redefining consumer behavior and reconfiguring the entire retail landscape since the early 2000s. The evolution of technology, coupled with the continuous desire for convenience and the immediate gratification of consumers, has resulted in significant growth of online stores.

According to Forbes, E-commerce sales are expected to grow 10.4% in 2023
Since 20.8% of retail purchases are expected to take place online in 2023, it’s no surprise that e-commerce sales are supposed to increase as well. With more customers shopping online, your business can sell more and earn more as a result. Whether your goal is to boost your sales by a small percentage or you hope to completely transform your business from a startup to a large organization, e-commerce can help.

While pure online marketplaces have been thriving, traditional brick-and-mortar stores can also evolve and embrace the online channel to expand their reach and cater to a larger consumer base. In this article, we explore seven reasons why it is crucial for brick-and-mortar stores to go online and reap the vast benefits that e-commerce offers.

Expanding the Customer Base

Taking a brick-and-mortar store online offers vast opportunities to expand a business's customer base. A physical store is restricted to customers within close geographic proximity. However, an online store offers the ability to serve a national or even an international customer base, depending on the product or service offered. This creates a huge potential for increased sales revenue and long-term success.

Online stores also make it possible to reach niche markets. A physical store has limited shelf space, forcing the store owner to focus on a select range of products. However, an online store can stock an extensive range of products catering to various niche interests. This can significantly increase sales by attracting unique customers searching for specific items that may not be available in their local stores.

Cost Reduction

Operating an online store can be more cost-effective than a physical location due to lower overhead costs. Some of these include reduced rent, utilities, insurance, and maintenance expenses. Furthermore, moving online reduces labor costs by managing the workforce remotely, possibly through outsourcing or contract workers.

In some cases, brick-and-mortar stores can minimize or entirely eliminate the need for a physical storefront by shifting inventory to an off-site warehouse. This allows business owners to focus on sales and maximize their profit margins without the constraints of expensive overheads.

Better Understanding of Customer Preferences

Taking a brick-and-mortar store online provides an opportunity to access a wealth of data on customer preferences and behavior. This information can be utilized to tailor marketing efforts and drive targeted campaigns that yield better results.

Tracking online customer behavior, such as browsing habits, purchasing patterns, and product interests, allows businesses to personalize the shopping experience for each visitor. This personalized approach can enhance customer loyalty, increase website traffic, and potentially drive up sales.

Analyzing this data also helps businesses to make informed decisions on inventory management, enabling them to stock products that are in high demand and streamline product offerings. This process ultimately leads to cost savings and customer satisfaction.

Extended Operating Hours

Unlike physical stores, which typically have set operating hours, e-commerce platforms operate around the clock. This allows customers to browse and make purchases at their convenience, which translates to greater opportunities for generating revenue.

The 24/7 availability of online stores also eliminates the need for employees to be physically present around the clock. This not only lowers labor costs but also increases employee satisfaction by offering greater work flexibility.

Moreover, round-the-clock access enables a business to cater to customers in different time zones, further expanding its market reach.

Enhanced Marketing Opportunities

The digital landscape provides an array of marketing tools and strategies that traditional brick-and-mortar stores may not have access to. Social media platforms, search engine optimization (SEO), and email marketing are some of the channels businesses can use to increase their online visibility, attract a wider audience and promote their brand.

These marketing strategies can be highly targeted, ensuring a better return on investment compared to traditional marketing methods, such as print or broadcast advertising. Additionally, businesses can measure their marketing success more accurately as digital marketing platforms offer detailed analytics to track campaign performance.

Improved Customer Experience  

Creating an enjoyable and efficient customer experience is vital for success in today's retail environment. The online platform allows brick-and-mortar stores to enhance their customer service by offering self-help tools and resources, such as chatbots, articles, and FAQ sections.

In addition, a well-designed online shopping interface fosters a seamless user experience by allowing customers to quickly search, evaluate, and purchase products. This convenience, paired with fast and reliable shipping options, leads to positive experiences that encourage repeat business and foster customer loyalty.

Competing with the Giants

E-commerce giants, such as Amazon and Alibaba, have significantly disrupted the retail industry. For brick-and-mortar stores to survive and thrive, they must adapt and compete in the digital space. Offering an online presence empowers businesses to stand toe-to-toe with these giants, leveling the playing field and taking advantage of increased customer demand for online shopping options.

Embracing digital strategies also entails the need to innovate rapidly and continually, learning from customer feedback and industry best practices, as well as staying ahead of trends in technology, consumer preferences, and business operations. This adapts an end in itself, and as such, many of them are either transitioning to ecommerce or adopting a hybrid approach by having both platforms to sell their products.

The Bottom Line

This shift in the retail landscape has been driven by the convenience and accessibility that ecommerce offers to consumers, as well as the cost-effectiveness and scalability that it provides to businesses. 

Therefore, it is not surprising that more and more businesses are jumping on the ecommerce bandwagon, as it presents a great opportunity to tap into a wider customer base and increase their revenue streams. In conclusion, the rise of ecommerce stores has been a game-changer in the retail industry, and it is a trend that is here to stay.

How to switch from an offline to an online store? No worries, we are experts in that, just contact us and relax! your brand new Ecommerce store will be developed from scratch and will be maintained among superior quality.