Are you a business owner in your city and think that digitalization is alien to your business? Or maybe you want to take advantage of all it has to offer? Digitalization is a broad word that can generate fear in local businesses. Normally, they relate it with dedicating effort, time and considerable investment. Aspects that, many times, they do not have.
However, going digital starts from the moment we make the purchase ticket electronic, incorporate QR codes or modify the stock and inventory program. At a time as necessary as the present, digitization is within the reach of anyone who wants to incorporate it.
Here are 5 benefits of going digital for small businesses:
5 benefits of going digital for local commerce
Best relationship with customers
Customers are digital. They have been for years, but the advance of e-commerce and social networks has completely changed the pace of transactions. Viral trends on digital platforms or influencer marketing partly determine what users demand.
By digitizing local commerce, it opens the door to a better relationship with customers. Interaction on digital platforms such as social networks allows direct communication and adapting strategies to market demands. Likewise, it enhances the creation of attractive experiences for the user, strengthening the customer-business relationship and fostering loyalty, since users tend to trust more in the businesses they can find in the channels they use.
Doors open to new business opportunities
Beyond creating stronger ties with customers, digitizing a local business undoubtedly opens doors to new markets and opportunities. In the case of having an ecommerce in which to expose their products, they can sell them beyond the local area and make them reach the national or international public. If, in addition, they are committed to being present on the Internet, they can consider new digital strategies such as collaborating with public figures or SEM campaigns (online promotion). Either way, it will help them differentiate themselves from the competition.
Brand awareness
And we cannot talk about being present on the Internet without taking into account the appropriate channels. In 2024, local commerce businesses must have digital profiles if they want to be noticed. Although social networks are essential, so are simpler achievements such as having a company profile on Google, for example. There are many cases of businesses that do not appear on Google and, consequently, go unnoticed.
But, if a business manages to generate brand awareness (with social networks, reviews or a website), its public will have it in their first purchase options. In addition, it will project a more modern business image, in line with the times.
Personalization of the shopping experience
Compared to department stores, local commerce has an obvious competitive advantage: the shopping experience and personalization they offer. Being close businesses, they know first-hand the customers who come to their establishment and can advise them in a more direct way, with a more human treatment. Their shopping experience makes them stand out, but in this approach, digitalization can give them an extra boost.
As an example, some businesses make use of analytics to understand user preferences and know what they need as the market advances, with the aim of offering agile, fast and effective solutions. Others, on the other hand, use them to recommend products based on previous customer purchases.
Cost savings
For those local commerce businesses that have not benefited from the above advantages, there is one that they will not be able to resist: digitization also translates into cost savings. Incorporating digital tools at the heart of the company makes it possible to optimize systems that were obsolete or not agile enough. Thus, owners or employees can allocate time to valuable tasks, saving efforts and costs in management and transportation.
Digitalization of the retail sector with electronic signatures
Among all the tools that can help in the digital transformation of the retail sector, one of those that can have the greatest positive impact on customers is the electronic signature. For local merchants, it can have a wide range of advantages in their day-to-day business. We are talking, specifically, about:
- Signing contracts with suppliers, contracts with staff or everything that has to do with them (vacations, changes in working conditions, sick leave…), signing delivery notes for receipt or delivery of goods, invoices or budgets.
- It provides a differential value to the customer compared to other competitors.
- Embraces sustainability, a fundamental vision of retail today.
Viafirma‘s digital solutions stand out for being easy to use, reliable and have one of the most competitive prices in the market, making it a safe option. There are several successful cases of companies in the retail sector that have trusted us. Thanks to them, they have improved their productivity, offer a better shopping experience to the user and have created new opportunities.