Don't let Amazon steal your customers this holiday season. Large corporations offer inexpensive or free shipping, low-cost products, and shopping convenience that small businesses simply cannot compete with. But there’s no need to! Instead of trying to match Temu's pricing or Amazon's swift delivery this holiday season, small businesses here in Alberta can captivate customers with their unique strengths. Read on for six advantages your small business has over big-box stores…
Customer Service Built on Relationships
Small businesses excel in offering a personalized shopping experience with attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable staff. Capitalize on this strength by engaging with your customers personally, and taking the time to understand their preferences and needs. Depending on your services, it may be appropriate to send personal messages, follow-ups, and tailored recommendations. Show your customers that you and your employees are not just sellers but members of their community.
Part of the Community
Your small business is part of the local fabric of your rural community in a way that Amazon could never be. Leverage this to your advantage by participating in or hosting local events, markets, and fairs to boost your visibility. Contribute to community organizations and sports teams to show your customer base that you are invested in the community. People will respond favourably to that feeling of connection!
Supporting Other Local Businesses
Being part of the community also means seeing other local businesses as neighbours, not as competitors. With increasing consumer interest in buying locally, fostering a collaborative culture among local small businesses can benefit everyone. Partner with neighbouring businesses for cross-promotions or bundled deals to promote each other's businesses and create a unified voice. This alliance can also help build a strong sense of community, which leads to increased customer loyalty. In addition to promoting a culture of shopping locally, you should ensure that your business practices what it preaches. Stock your shelves with local products wherever you can.
Local, Sustainable, and Eco-friendly Practices
It's a common impression that many products offered cheaply and in large quantities by big companies like Walmart, Amazon, Dollarama, and Temu are often poorly made, environmentally harmful, or detrimental to the economies where they are manufactured. In today's economy, many consumers are more concerned about where their money goes. So, providing locally sourced, handcrafted, or artisanal products adds significant value to your offerings. Show your customers that your business is the better choice by emphasizing eco-friendly products and/or sustainable business practices.
Trustworthiness
Do you ever question if the product reviews on certain shopping sites are genuine? Customers know that local small businesses are more likely to be trustworthy because their reputation is at stake. A local small business operates within a community, with real names and faces attached, which forces a level of accountability that large companies just don't have to face. Because small businesses rely more heavily on word-of-mouth, they are more invested in providing reliable information. Additionally, as a small business, you can respond to customer issues and concerns directly and offer personalized assistance to those who need it. Capitalize on this honesty in your advertising and encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews online.
Unique Online Presence
While big companies like Amazon have a robust web presence, yours can be more personal and visually appealing. Use your website and social media channels to create a distinct visual identity. Actively engage on social media to promote products, share deals, and interact with customers. Share insights into your inspiration and techniques, showing your audience the authentic journey of your small business. Collaborate with local influencers and encourage customer testimonials to build trust and visibility. Send regular newsletters featuring promotions, gift ideas, and company updates. Create holiday gift guides, blog posts, or videos showcasing your products as perfect gifts, making your online presence special and unique.
By leveraging these strategies, small businesses can present a compelling alternative to big box stores, attracting customers who seek a personalized, unique, and community-focused shopping experience. Being a small business isn’t a disadvantage—it's your superpower!
For 35 years, Community Futures Wild Rose has supported rural Alberta businesses with business planning, coaching, training, and financial support. Whether you're starting up, planning growth, or facing financial challenges, our specialists are here for you.
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