3 Tips To Drive Traffic To Your Website Without Paying For Ads.

Customers can now shop in a world-wide market place, obtaining price and quality information 24 hours a day.  If your company website or blog is not receiving traffic on a daily basis, you may not be using social media correctly.

Here are 3 tips to drive traffic to your website without paying for ads.

 

1.  Just don't be on social media, engage on social media! This means interacting, re-posting or re-tweeting with individual followers or other businesses. 

Include photos on your posts. Photos attract more attention than just text.

Also, remember to always say “Thank you” and reply to questions when asked.

2.  Use hashtags, yes the infamous #.  Be part of a conversation tread or create your own. Use hashtags to be included in different conversations. The hashtags help search engines to find your business.

3. Blog about subjects or event that relate to your target audience.  If mothers between the ages 22-35 are your target audience, post about children events, saving money, family travel, DIY, and family recipes. 

Include links to products and services you offer and company contact information at the bottom of the post.

In this age of e-commerce and online services we all have to be in the game or be left behind.

For more great tips follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Sharp Realty
400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209
205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

Prepare For These Four Realities When Starting A New Business

There is nothing more exciting than the thought of owning your own business, being your own boss, and having your brand or name on merchandise.  

However, the excitement can turn to distress if you have not considered these four subjects when you start your new business.

1. Financial: There are many start-up costs associated with opening a new business.  

There are often hidden costs or fees that will come up when starting the business such as licensing, cost of maintaining a building, merchandise stock, marketing, staff, insurance, accountant and much more. 

Multiply your budgeted start-up costs by 3 or 4 to maintain a financial comfort zone.

2. Marketing: Create an annual Marketing Plan.  The adage "build it and they will come" only happens in movies! Opening a business with a sign outside does not guarantee people will shop your business.  

You should have a annual marketing plan and budget for the entire year.  Marketing is not a once a year event.

Also, successful marketing requires professionals.  Don't leave have your collage age child do your social media marketing just because they are good at using social media to communicate with friends.

3. Long Hours: The fantasy of working whenever hours you want is exactly that, a fantasy!  As a business owner you will work more hours than you ever in your life.  

Being a business owner means you are never far from your business, even while on vacation if you are lucky enough to get a vacation.

4. No or Little Income The First Few Years: Most new businesses do not turn a profit for several year.

Take these considerations and be realistic when planning your new business.  There are many successful business owners in your area.  Talk to them and ask what helped make their business a success.

Presented by Sharp Realty 

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300  Birmingham, Al. 35209
205-879-1995
www.sharprealty.com

Leasing Commercial Retail Locations Nationwide.

Other topic:
4 Time Management Tips for Small Business Owners
6 Smart Tips for Leasing Commercial Real Estate.

5 Ways to Reduce Cost the First Few Years of Operating a Retail Business

5 Ways to Reduce Cost the First Few Years of Operating a Retail Business

Keeping cost low is vital for the success of any new business. Here are five ways to reduce cost those first few years.

1.   Consider bartering - Establishing some type of bartering agreements with vendors and friends who can provide goods and services during your first critical months or years of business can result in future success.

2.   Review your resources - The Chamber of Commerce, your local library or YouTube to help with planning, marketing and other information you need to open a small retail business. 

3.   Develop a communications plan for vendors and suppliers. You will benefit from partnerships with those individuals and companies that will help you keep inventory stocked from the day you open your store and beyond.

4.   Lease equipment or purchase used equipment to save money on operating costs. 

5. Use social media like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest as a marketing tool and be seen by customers and potential customers. It is FREE!!

For help with leasing a building or questions about leasing or management contact Sharp Realty. 

Sharp Realty
400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300
Birmingham, Al. 35209
205-879-1995
www.sharprealty.com
Leasing retail locations nationwide.

How to keep customers coming back as repeat buyers?

As economic times become tougher many consumers are focusing more on only necessary purchases. How do you get them to continue buying your products or services that are beyond essentials?

Creating an emotional bond between the consumer and the products or services they use is a MUST for business owners.  Apple's iPhone is one of the best examples of a company doing this.

When a customer has an emotional connection with a business or product they are more likely to keep coming back!

How can a business that does not have a large marketing budget still create such an emotional bond?  Below are 4 things a businesses can do to establish and maintain a relationship with their customers.

1.  People connection – it seems like the more mobile and social we are getting online the less social and customer friendly we are being offline.
Remind your employees to connect with the customers, ask personal questions like “Did you have a great weekend”? “How’s your week going”?

There is nothing like good old fashioned customer service when customers are buying in your store or online!

2.  Add a personal thank you note of appreciation for their continued business. A thank you goes a long way especially when it is expressed in the written form. In this modern time we seem to have forgotten the emotional attachment that can develop from the written word.

3.  Highlight your business in a human light by presenting the owner and staff on a personal level.  Feature pictures and stories in your store and online about the person or personal event.

Create a “Meet the Staff” or Team Board. Design a board in the store that displays personal pictures, hobbies and interest of your staff. As the customers read and see pictures of your team members they become more connect on a personal level and don’t see them just as a salesperson.

4. Create an experience when they come into your store. Design an atmosphere appropriate to your business. Hand out unique paper and pen to take notes, tea or water in a special cup, cookies, or a special goody bag when they check out.

Consumers buy on emotion! You must develop that emotional experience for them. Use your time wisely by creating an emotional and human connection with consumers.

 

Blog content by: Sharp Realty.
For more great tips follow us on Facebook or Twitter.


Sharp Realty

400 Union Hill Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, Al 35209

205-879-1995

www.SharpRealty.com

Thinking about opening a Retail Store?

Many people have a passion and their dream is to open a small business or franchise. Here are a few things to consider.

What type of Store?
Passion, determination and love of the store are key ingredients because you will spend a lot of hours in the store.

What kind of retailer?
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mall, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery.

Where will it be located?

Location is the most important ingredient for any business that relies on customers. It is also one of the most difficult to plan for completely. Many turn to a Real Estate professional to help guide them because they typically know the business area and what is available.  

How big of a store do you need?
Answering the above questions first will help determine the size. Also, working with the complex’s manager before signing a lease to determine what best suits your needs.

How important is an anchor store to drive foot traffic?
When you are looking for the right complex for your store notice what type of anchor stores are in the complex to draw foot traffic to the shopping complex.

Free consultations are available at Sharp Realty to help you find the BEST location to fulfill your dream.

Phone: 205-879-1995 * www.SharpRealty.com