Most retailers want to bring as much foot traffic to their stores as possible. One tool to bridge online shopping and the in-store benefits is the online catalog: Not only do online catalogs offer interactive shopping experiences, they also provide several ways to bring more traffic to your physical stores.
Foot traffic is still crucial for many retailers.
When shoppers go to your store, they get…
And this can lead to higher basket value and the creation of regular shopping habits, which increase customer loyalty. So, many retailers want to bring as much foot traffic to their stores as possible.
In this post, we’ll explore four online catalog strategies you can use to do exactly that!
Obviously, to go to your stores, the shopper must know where the stores are.
With a Store Locator (“Find your nearest store”) feature in your online catalog, shoppers can immediately find the nearest physical store while browsing the online catalog.
And then you’ve eliminated a crucial barrier to in-store visits.
1. Within the catalog, you create an external link (for example via a News Ticker) to your website where shoppers can type in their zip code and locate the nearest store
2. Alternatively, you can provide direct links to maps or navigation apps, allowing users to get directions in one click
You can offer real-time stock updates in the catalog by integrating with your product feed or pop-up framing the product page. Shoppers will know where your store is, and also whether their product of interest is in stock.
Click & Collect is by now a popular option for shoppers. It combines the ease of online shopping with the satisfaction of in-store pickup.
If you already offer Click & Collect, a simple connection between your online catalog basket and your ecommerce is all that’s needed.
It’s a great way to ensure that orders from your online catalog directly result in increased foot traffic.
1. Shoppers can add products from the online catalog to the basket
2. When checking out, the catalog basket content is transferred to your website basket
3. They pay and choose a nearby store for pickup
Creating a sense of exclusivity is a classic way to drive foot traffic to stores.
You can use your online catalog to promote in-store-only offers (such as special discounts, limited-time deals, or product launches) that can only be used, experienced or redeemed in the store.
1. Create sections or modules in your catalog labeled “In-Store Only”, for example via an interactive banner like Display
2 Highlight high-value products that are only available in-store
3. Include a discount coupon, countdown or limited time/availability notice to create urgency
If you hold events (such as exclusive sales, product launches or tastings) at your store, then you can promote those events in your online catalog.
This way, you’ll give the shopper a reason to go to the store and spread awareness.
And you’ve then created a bridge between online browsing and in-person brand experiences.
On top, you can directly collect signups from the online catalog.
1. Use sections or modules - for example a pop-up - to create a banner or interactive ad for the upcoming event
2. Follow up with catalog viewers via email or push notifications (if they’ve opted in) to remind them of the event and encourage in-store attendance
Include “Save the Date” links or “Add to Calendar” functionality in the confirmation email. This will help customers remember the event.
Online catalogs can be more than just simple listings of products and offers. With features like Click & Collect, Store Locators, in-store events and promotions, they are a great tool to drive foot traffic to your stores.
By mixing the convenience of online shopping with the experiential nature of stores, you can increase the average basket value and customer loyalty.
Need to get the full overview on digital catalogs?
Explore our Complete Guide to Digital Catalogs (All You Need To Know!)
