How to Drive Foot Traffic & Increase Sales

Increasing revenue may sound simple in theory; however, it often proves to be considerably more complicated in practice. With the current world swimming in various technologies promising to increase traffic, the actual answer may lie within a resource that is already present: the people working directly with customers. A genuine human experience brings a story and connection that won’t exist elsewhere. Combining this with the right products and awareness of the actual business and its offerings is a surefire recipe for success. Let’s dive into 5 simple ways to drive sales upward. 

Prioritize the Customers  

Getting the obvious out of the way: there are no sales without customers. Everything that happens within your location should be done with the goal of improving the customer experience. There are more competitors than ever across every industry, so setting yourself apart from the crowd is a necessity that cannot be overstated. A customer who has a great experience is not only likely to continue coming back, but they’re also likely to share that experience with the people around them, which will drive more business in your direction. However, it’s essential to be cautious, as customers are also willing to share a negative experience, either by word of mouth or online, which can be detrimental.  

Improve Speed of Service 

No one likes waiting. Turning what was supposed to be a quick errand into a complicated ordeal is a great way to make sure someone rethinks visiting a location, especially when they don’t have an abundance of extra time. Make sure that all employees are focused on quick greetings and efficient service. Utilizing technology, analyzing data, and staffing correctly can also help improve speed of service.   

Properly Train Employees  

An often-overlooked aspect of boosting sales is proper training. An employee can’t fix a problem if they don’t know it exists. They also can’t complete tasks that they have never been trained to do. Ensuring that all employees are up to speed on basic and high-level tasks will allow them to shift their focus to the customer and deliver top-notch service to everyone who walks through the door. Customers can easily feel the difference between a transaction that runs smoothly and one that is full of clunks and hiccups. 

Ensure Locations Are Clean and Presentable 

People tend to gather in places that feel comfortable and inviting. It helps if they’re clean and easy to navigate. Something as simple as making sure that the store is clear of debris and that the displays inside are well-stocked with ample products will get people in the door and encourage higher ticket averages. It has been proven time and time again that creative merchandising helps encourage more sales. Think of those crazy soda displays you see in supermarkets. There’s a reason someone spent hours building it! 

Host Events 

Once it all comes together, nothing drives traffic like a special event. Launching a limited product, celebrating a re-opening, or simply a new promotion, will bring new and returning faces through the door. The previous points on prioritizing customer experience are even more important here, as the high flow of customers will task employees with being on top of their game from start to finish. The risk is worth it. Creating good memories and experiences keeps the cycle of sales flowing and gives customers something to talk about. 

When all the pieces come together, the picture becomes much clearer. By prioritizing the customer experience, training employees, and providing more reasons for patrons to choose your establishment, you are creating the ultimate recipe for success. Putting effort into each one of these steps will ensure that higher sales will soon follow.