The Fifth Avenue of Cyberspace

 The Fifth Avenue of Cyberspace

Almost every company in the modern era has an online presence, and it doesn't take much digging to figure out why. Unfortunately, for a lot of companies, it can only mean having an online business card that potential customers can use to remember the company's phone number and physical address. Having a business in the 21st century without a website to back it up is practically unthinkable.



Looking at the corporate world outside of cyberspace and the one on the internet reveals some significant distinctions. Some organizations just haven't figured out how to strike the right balance between their online and offline operations, while others, like event ticket producers or booksellers, have mastered the art of creating what could be considered parallel universes.



However, more and more companies are realizing that cyberspace can be an integral part of their marketing strategy, bringing in customers straight from their online presence, as the internet's validity as a marketplace and business tool is increasingly acknowledged.



The online presence on the corporate website has the potential to become an integral aspect of the store's operations, to the point where the manager's salary is directly tied to sales generated by the internet, much like the coupon program in newspapers or billboards is to the company's overall strategy. Cyberspace on aisle five will be seen by that store manager as an integral component of their strategy for commercial success.



Businesses follow a methodical procedure when they utilize the internet to capture web traffic and convert it into in-store traffic. Internet shoppers are people, too! This may sound like stating the obvious, but it's really the key to converting web surfers into in-store buyers.



All that cyberspeak about your site having X number of "hits" and Z number of browsers going to Y number of pages really means is that X number of PEOPLE visited your site and looked at Y number of products, ads, or services. This is what businesspeople see when they look at those strange internet traffic reports. Those same individuals are the ones that will enter your store's front door and purchase your goods and services.



Our only task is to find ways to lure those online buyers away from their computers and into our stores. Plus, there's a growing trend among companies to run online deals that aim to lure people into physical stores. Some excellent ways to accomplish it include...



* Coupons that can only be used in the physical store, as advertised online.

Items purchased online and picked up in-store. Shipment to the customer may be the preferred method of purchase for many online buyers. Therefore, you'll need to "sweeten the pot" by eliminating shipping costs altogether or offering a discount to customers who want to pick up their orders in person.

• Giveaways. Is more even needed to be said?

* By publicizing upcoming in-store events. In order to promote a live book signing by a famous author or actress at your store, you might launch a massive online advertising campaign. The campaign and in-store event will pay for themselves through higher sales.



Customers who are regulars at your store will quickly become accustomed to checking your website for weekly sales and promotions in order to find out what's hot and then making a purchase in-store to take advantage of it. Consistent progress like this is what propels a synergy to new heights and entices people to seek out "cyberspace on aisle five" at your store.

Location:

Share :