Are you thinking about taking your online shop to a physical location? Before you make the jump, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of starting a brick-and-mortar shop. Here’s what you need to know.
Pro: Increased Visibility and Space
One of the biggest advantages of starting a physical storefront is that it will increase the visibility of your business. If you’re located in a high-traffic area, you’ll be able to attract customers who might not have otherwise found your online store. And, even if you’re not in a highly visible location, simply having a physical presence can make your business seem more established and trustworthy.
A physical storefront can also be used for promotional events and storage. If you host in-store events, such as signings or product launches, you’ll be able to give your customers a unique in-person experience that they can’t get online. And, if you need to store a large quantity of inventory, having a physical space will make that process much easier.
Con: Higher Cost
Of course, there are some downsides to starting a physical store. One of the biggest is that you will have to spend a lot of money having one built or renting one. If you decide to buy or rent a space, you have to check the structure for damage to make sure that your employees, stock, and customers are safe. This can be a very big investment, especially if you choose to buy property. Repairs such as installing or replacing a roof or repairing damage to foundation can be costly. For example, the average cost to replace a roof is $8,000 — this is the kind of cost you will have to anticipate and make plans for if you purchase property to start a business.
In addition, you will have to worry about overhead. Overhead costs will be higher than they would be if you were just running an online business. You’ll also have to pay for utilities and other expenses associated with maintaining a physical space. Additionally, you’ll need to hire staff to work in the store, which will also add to your overhead costs.
Pro: Greater Customer Engagement
Another advantage of starting a physical store is that it will allow you to engage with your customers in a more personal way. When customers come into your store, you’ll have the opportunity to build relationships with them and get feedback about your products or services. This type of engagement can be difficult to achieve when you’re only selling online.
In addition, you can close more deals in a physical store if you keep them engaged and interested in what you have to offer, which can lead to more sales. Some ways to entertain your customers include having a variety of products on display, providing free samples, and hosting in-store events. If you can create a fun and engaging shopping experience, your customers will be more likely to buy from you.
Con: More Competition
Of course, one of the downsides of starting a physical store is that you’ll likely face more competition than you would if you were selling exclusively online. In today’s retail landscape, there are many successful businesses that have both an online and offline presence. So, if you’re thinking about starting a physical store, you’ll need to be prepared to compete against these well-established businesses.
Pro: Having a Physical and Online Presence
When it comes to running a business, having a physical and online presence can be incredibly beneficial. If you already have an online presence, you don’t need to lose it to have a physical store! In fact, many brick-and-mortar business make the effort to establish an online presence in the modern age.
By having a presence online, you’ll be able to reach a larger audience than you would if you were only selling offline. And, by having a physical storefront, you’ll be able to attract customers who might not have otherwise found your online store.
When it comes to the bottom line of your business, having both a physical and online presence can be incredibly beneficial. Online sales tend to have a higher profit margin than sales made in-store. This is because there are less overhead costs associated with running an online business. Additionally, by having a physical presence, you’ll be able to close more deals and increase the number of sales that you make.
Final Thoughts
Running a physical store comes with its own set of pros and cons, but there are many benefits to starting one. Some of the advantages of having a physical storefront include greater customer engagement, the ability to close more deals, and increased sales. However, you’ll also face more competition than you would if you were selling exclusively online. Nevertheless, your business will benefit a lot by having both an online presence and a physical storefront. Overall, starting a physical store can be a great way to engage with customers and increase sales.
