How Retailers Should Bring Technology to Business
a guest blog by Dylan Berkowitz
Today’s retail market has fundamentally changed, and we have technology to thank for it. As director of operations for a 3rd generation retail business, I look to embrace these profound differences and opportunities.
New Technologies
These new technologies, if used correctly, can make our lives easier and boost our businesses’ reach exponentially. By understanding them better, you can reap the benefits and avoid possible pitfalls.
For example, social media is often used as a distraction or to follow people who have the lifestyle you want. Instead, I suggest following the people that inspire you and share your cause. You can connect with them by leaving thoughtful comments or sending direct messages. Thank them for their work, dedication, and direction. You have an opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals who could help promote your brand and ideals.
Enhance Relationships
A retailer’s greatest tool is their relationship with their clients. You can gain great insight by witnessing what your clients are posting and saying on their Facebook and Instagram pages. This insight could help you connect with them and market to their needs more effectively.
By using these platforms properly, we have experienced tremendous benefits through showing genuine interest in the lives of our clients. Besides enhancing our business operations, these interactions breathe life into the reason we got into this business in the first place– to be a part of our client’s most memorable occasions. To share in their joyous and life-changing events. To provide them with that tangible expression of love, appreciation, commitment, and self-expression.
Technology also makes reaching new potential clients easier. To combat the decline in foot traffic, using social media to reach and engage with the public is a vital tool in today’s marketplace.
Customized App
When you do reach potential customers and direct them to your website, or better yet your app, you want to make the right first impression. For this reason, I have teamed up with Virtual Diamond Boutique (VDB) to create a custom app, website, and mobile site. We are constantly working together to improve functionality, aesthetics, and user experience. Having your own app has huge advantages in differentiating yourself with the competition and providing the best possible experience for your clients.
Your own customized app offers a myriad of advantages over a website. For one, it keeps your potential customer’s attention on your inventory and significantly lowers the bounce rate to a competitor’s website. Due to the way an app is formatted, browsing is quicker, and items will typically load faster than a website. Consequently, navigating through the app is more seamless and therefore a more pleasurable experience. Some apps even let consumers browse without Internet or data connection. Apps also allow for “push notifications”, which lets you alert your clients from the app when you have new inventory, discounts, or special offers. If you are serious about excelling in today’s digital world as a retailer, a personalized app adds a substantial competitive advantage.
We have also integrated a chat feature on our website to ease communication and significantly shorten response time. In addition, we have implemented a technology that allows a client to securely pay for jewelry via a link through text message. These are all tremendous tools to have in place that can give you the competitive advantage, keep you connected, and decrease barriers to purchase.
How Retailers Should Bring Technology to Business
a guest blog by Dylan Berkowitz