By Piper Toth. Photoography by Niki Lynn.
Today I wanted to share one of the best things I have done for my online store and site. I stopped focusing on traffic, analyzing it constantly, and fretting about how to increase those numbers. Now I know what you’re thinking; “isn’t that important?” Yes it is, but it’s definitely not the be all, end all. If you want to build a loyal following and consequently, high word-of-mouth traffic, the best thing you can do is focus on the customers and readers you actually have. That was the best shift in thinking I made as a shop owner. Even if you only have 5 customers, making them happy and focusing on their needs will keep them coming back to your site. More often than not, they’ll start raving about your site.
Think about your customers and readers–what can you offer them that will make them return over and over? I like to surprise them with little touches. One of my favorite little touches was a shop in Columbus, Ohio that would spray their bag with a different, yummy scent with each purchase. It kept me coming back because it was such a treat! What can you do for your readers or customers?
Here are some ideas to get you started!
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Include a special treat in their package when they order. Think outside of the box and make it simple. (with my shop, one sydney road), I created personalized music playlists for each order)
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Design a free e-card that they can send out on holidays
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Create a free download with tips they can use
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Post a DIY tutorial (check out Paper & Stitch or Creature Comforts for awesome DIY’s)
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Celebrate your customers and readers by posting about them and cheering them on (one of my favorite examples of this is Coulson Macleod’s FB page – every Friday they open their FB page to allow their customers/readers to promote their work; highlighting one person each week!)
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Send snail mail! These days, it’s definitely a way to stick out from the crowd.
I would love to hear from you all – what do you do to encourage returning to your site?
