Keep your Storefront Maintained Well

The front of your store is one of the first things a potential customer will judge, so it is imperative that it makes a lasting impression. If you have an untidy storefront then any customers passing by may assume that this reflects your business as a whole.

Daily tasks to achieve this could include sweeping outside your boutique or cleaning your windows. Tasks such as painting only need to do be done every couple of years. It’s a good idea to stand outside your boutique and take a good look at it to see what could do with some much needed TLC.

However, it’s just as important to make sure your signage is clear and obvious. Position your sign in a place where it can be seen clearly at all angles. Signs that are hidden away from view are unlikely to attract attention and less likely to have any real impact on your bridal boutique’s foot traffic.

Have an Alluring Window Display

Creating an amazing window display is a fantastic way to grab the attention of any potential customers walking by. You want your window display to be memorable– something that a passer-by will take a photo of and upload to social media.

Seasonal window displays such as Christmas and Halloween are a great way to attract more customers and show off your creative skills. Themed window displays are also a great idea, but make sure you put your best/most popular designs out front.

You could also put a sandwich board outside your storefront alongside your window display. On this board, you could include a witty message, inspirational quote or even information about something special going on inside your boutique. This is another great way to intrigue potential customers and persuade them to walk through your doors to see more.

Read More: Seven Top Tips for an Amazing Window Display

Make Sure Your Staff Look Approachable

The body language of your staff is crucial for any customers walking by. If their body language looks unapproachable customers are less likely to walk through your door. Make sure your staff adopt open body language by making eye contact, smiling and standing with arms unfolded.

It is vital to get the balance right between looking busy but also approachable. You want your customer to feel like you have time to speak with them but at the same time you don’t want the store to look like it’s not doing any business.

Hold Events In-Store

Whether it’s a trunk show, private catwalk show or discount sales event, hosting in-store events is a great way to drive additional footfall to your boutique. Traditional marketing stunts like this are just as important as any of the online stuff, so make sure you are utilising their full potential. Additionally, in-store events provide an excellent opportunity for your business to do some data capturing. Throw a competition during the event and invite any potential customers to sign up to your database for future updates.

Read More: 10 Ways to Guarantee Success at Your Bridal Boutique

Offer Subsidised Parking if Possible

If at all possible, it’s a good idea to offer subsidised parking to your customers. Whether you give this with every appointment booked or every dress purchased is completely up to you but offering this is a great incentive for any potential customers.

Get an Online Listing

In this digital world, a key way to drive more traffic to your business is to have an online listing. Major online directories include Yelp, Google, and Facebook, but there are many others out there. Ocean Media’s consumer websites, Confetti and Wedding Style Collective also have their own directory.

The most important information to include is

• Your business name, address and phone number
• Accurate business hours
• Up to date photos and, if possible, a virtual tour of your boutique
• Lots of reviews and testimonials

This may seem like a time-consuming tasks, but it will pay off in the long run, and for best results optimize each listing by making them as detailed as possible.

Social Media

Social media is a fantastic platform to build some brand awareness of your bridal boutique. Firstly, identify what platforms your customers are using. Popular sites include Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. Once you have done this, set out a content strategy that will help you reach a new generation of brides. If done properly, more and more brides will be looking at your offering and you should start to see an increase in footfall.

You can take social media one step further by utilising Facebook Offer Ads. These Facebook ads have an objective called “Store visits” that actually tells you how many people have visited your boutique because of your ads. They also have location features that appear to customers when they are near your premises and will guide them to your shop via maps.

Read More: Improving Your Social Media Strategy

For more ways to drive business to your boutique, take a look at these seven easy ways to revamp your business.