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Sale Day Essentials – 4 Things Your Business Needs To Make Your Post-Christmas Sales A Success

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The final event of the holiday shopping season is fast approaching. Having survived Halloween, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, and Christmas Eve, the end of the year is the last chance for retailers to end up in the black.

Unfortunately, at this point, shoppers are weary and overburdened by the multitudes of marketing campaigns enticing them to part with the last of their hard-earned cash. To be truly successful after the crazy holiday season, you must employ some serious marketing skills to attract consumers. Below are several tactics that will help your business succeed in the post-Christmas season.

1. An Aggressive (and Unique) Marketing Campaign

By the time Christmas has come and gone, consumers have seen every marketing technique in the books. They are tired. To attract their attention yet again, your marketing campaign must be aggressive and unique.

Think outside the box with eye-catching fabric media wall banners, drastic discounts of 70% or more, and donations to a relevant (and reputable) charity every time a customer buys a specific product. It’s these types of things that will entice your customers to return to your store, despite their exhaustion.

2. A Good Plan (Made Well Ahead of Time)

It’s important that you plan ahead for the after-Christmas sales because you only have a limited timeframe in which to make them work. When the hectic holiday season comes to an end, most consumers have very little disposable cash left, so it’s vital you advertise effectively to bring them in.

While it’s difficult to know exactly what you’ll have left after the Christmas rush, don’t wait until the last minute to put together your after-Christmas sale campaign. Do your best to estimate your inventory, create your campaign ahead of time, and have backup items on hand just in case you over-estimated. By Christmas Eve, you should be fairly comfortable with the inventory you have left to really begin advertising your post-Christmas sales.

3. Social Media

People tend to use social media more often during the holidays than at other times of the year. They are keeping in touch with friends and family and discussing plans and gift ideas. This makes these platforms perfect for getting in on holiday conversations that are already taking place, allowing you to market to your target audience in a quick and easy manner.

Whether yours is a brick and mortar store or an online shop front, social media is always a good marketing tool. During the holidays, it’s more powerful than ever, and you should be using it (beginning as early as possible) to announce and advertise your after-Christmas sales.

4. A Solid Email Marketing Campaign

You can boost the success of your after-holiday sales by employing a solid email marketing campaign before they even begin. Not only is this an effective way to reach your customers, but it also helps you create a sense of urgency by pushing limited-time offers and hard-to-find items that may not be available with other retailers. To encourage people to take advantage of your sale, offer discounts to anyone who presents the code included in the email.

Although everyone is weary by the end of the year, having just survived the frantic three-month shopping season, there’s still the after-Christmas sales to think about. This is every business owner’s final push to come out in the black for the year. To make this mini shopping season a success, consider instituting one or all of the tactics listed above.

Things to consider while choosing multichannel ecommerce software

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Many online business stores limit themselves by selling products only on one website such as Amazon, which can result in loss of revenues. There are several marketing channels which provide opportunities for increasing sales in online business which ultimately help to generate more revenues. However, it requires the right platform to reach more customers with a quick turnaround time. Businesses willing to employ a multichannel strategy should focus more on selecting the right platform for meeting essential needs. Moreover, it will help a lot to grow business significantly to obtain optimal results.

Multichannel ecommerce software for online business

Listing products on many ecommerce channels will consume more time if done manually. A multichannel ecommerce software allows online business stores to sell their products through various networks easily with the latest features, all while automating the process. In fact, it allows businesses to get more leads after listing their products. On the other hand, overselling may lead to penalties and other problems while utilizing the software. Not all software products are the same and a business store should consider certain important things before investing money.

Here are some key aspects to look out while selecting a multichannel ecommerce software solution.

1. Customizable features

It is important to select a platform that comes with customizable features for gaining more advantages. This, in turn, helps to run a business successfully with automation and human-tech support.

2. Ease of use

Business owners who want to control their sales should make sure that the ecommerce software comes with an editing tool. They should find a software support team that can correct things like typos. The multichannel platform should also provide the option to edit product details that can then sync with the listing channels so that they don’t need to be manually updated.

3. Data management in listing

Data management is the most important factor to consider while choosing a multichannel platform. It is necessary to select the best software that will copy current product listings into other channels. A multichannel platform should include images, descriptions, specifications, and pricing when uploading the data.

4. Inventory syncing

Inventory syncing is another thing to consider while buying a new multichannel platform for ensuring optimal results. It is a crucial feature that is needed for an effective listing management system to sell one-of-a-kind products.

5. Multiple sales channels

Large online business stores should choose a platform which supports multiple sales channels that will benefit them significantly. Some software can support many different channels or a large amount of product listings.

6. Shipping

Shipping is the next important thing to consider when buying a new multichannel platform for an online business. This is because a store should make sure that a product reaches a customer on time through established logistics provider after placing an order.

7. Customer service

Anyone who wants to sell products through multiple channels should select a platform that offers personal and individualized customer support. As such, there are many options available on the market to do so, and ultimately good research will ensure that you are able to get the best multichannel ecommerce software solution for your business.

5 Tips for Successful Retail Fitout in Australia

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If you are just venturing into the retail sector, fitting out the shop might be one of the unexpected hurdles that you face. After you have found the right location, repaint it, and buy the display cabinets and racks, you will still need to make it visually appealing. Most building owners will encourage you to improve the building at your expense.

1. Improve the interior Design to Attract Customers

You will need a strategic approach and the right expertise to get the retail interior design right. Great signage, product placement, and visual merchandising can complement this. When you are planning your interior design, always have the customer experience in mind. For a customer, the persuasion to enter the store is the ambience and not the products. Most customers do not notice the merchandise on display. When they come into the store, the first impression is what matters.

One way to grab their attention is to install floor to ceiling wall fixtures. It will allow for the optimal placement of products while encouraging customers to linger. In the trading area, place low-line shelves to allow customers to see products, which will help increasing spending. It also increases customer visibility, which helps to lower shoplifting.

With the right layout, it will also promote signage. This can assist the flow of traffic while helping to build your brand. By analysing and understanding the customer behaviour, you will be able to design a space to guide customers through the store to where they need to be.

2. Make Use of LED Lighting

If you run a retail store, it is important to make full use of shop windows to attract customers. The windows have to be well lit and this will attract customers. The LED lighting is the best option since it helps you to save money on the energy bill. Besides that, it is quite durable and efficient. It also gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to highlighting certain products that are in high demand. To get it right, consider speaking to a retail fitout service in Melbourne like Unita.

3. Invest in Good-Quality Air Condition

In Melbourne, summer can be quite hot. It is important that you have a good air conditioning unit to maintain a relaxing environment inside the store. Besides that, it preserves the shelf life of your products. The last thing you want is for customers to run off to a more comfortable retail store. If your store is a haven for all weather conditions, you will have more customers who want to come back to your store.

4. Provide Seating for Customers

A great addition to the store that you should consider during the retail refurbishment is seating for the customers. Giving them a place where they can rest their weary feet gives them time to look around and find the products they need. The seating will ensure that shopper take time to discover products they did not know they needed.

5. Do Not Overlook the Security

You have invested a lot of money into your retail business and it is important to protect that investment. Get a professional to install a CCTV system at the store. In case an issue arises, the authorities will have an easier time apprehending and prosecuting the culprits. It can also help to identify serial shoplifters thus helping the entire business community.

Summary

Starting a retail business is exciting but if you want to succeed, you have to do it right. These few tips should prove quite useful in getting things right. If you need expert assistance on how to get the retail fit-out right, consider talking to the experts at Unita.

4 Ways to Increase Leads from Your Wedding Directory Listing

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Imagine a bride-to-be who’s planning her wedding. Where does she go to find the suppliers she needs? Online.

But, with so many pages filled with vendors and reviews, she’s eager to find everything in one place. So, an organized, top-quality and trustworthy business web directory listing is the perfect solution.

Now, if you own a business which offers wedding related products or services, you can attract prospects by using online web directories. So, if you’re wondering how to increase leads, here are 4 ways suggested by Brides Central to improve your lead generation results.

Keyword Research

Keyword research is important to help your prospects easily find you online. The keywords which you use should reflect your business’ main activity, the region you cater to and the style of wedding which you can provide. For example, when online users search for best wedding venues in Australia, by using these keywords, you’ll attract leads.

So, including keywords in your wedding directory listing, especially in the title will increase your business’ chances of being found by your target market.

Examine the Directory’s Market

Any directory has an established target market. And, wedding directories have specific couples which they’re trying to attract, depending on location, budget, or style. So, when you create the content for your business’ directory listing consider your wedding target market.

If you want to attract high-end brides, offer luxurious services and products. Also, in case you can upload images consider high-quality and relevant photos for a luxurious wedding. Videos of previous weddings which your business has organized are great testimonials to showcase the quality of your services.

Choosing a Premium or Free Listing

Although web directories offer a premium listing including various benefits compared to the free version, it doesn’t guarantee real results.

Some of the benefits which you’re promised to receive include an ad on the homepage of the web directory, a feature on the directory’s blog or referrals on the directory’s Instagram or Facebook pages.

But, if your business is mentioned on the directory’s blog which is cluttered by ads about your competition, you won’t enjoy any benefits from lead generation. So, before choosing to pay for the premium package ask for the directory’s statistics.

Choosing the Proper Category

Wedding directories include various categories for suppliers. Usually, it depends on the type of service and location. And, you’re often restricted to list your business only under a single category. So, it comes down to making the right choice.

However, what if you offer services nationwide? Or, what if you can offer your services in two separate regions? Or, what should you choose when you offer both catering and flowers for weddings?

In this case, you should focus on creating a high-quality listing depending on your business’ strongest service and you can re-direct clients towards the additional services which you offer. It’s a matter of wedding marketing.

Final Thoughts

Wedding directories are highly useful to improve your business’ online presence and increase your business’ leads.

However, before you list your business you should analyze the online web directory’s target market, choose the right category for your business and include the right keywords throughout your content, and make sure that the Premium package is worth being paid for.

After taking these steps, you’ll enjoy a significant increase in your leads from your wedding directory listing.

How to Choose the Right Commercial Air Conditioning Unit for Your Business

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When choosing quality air conditioning for your business, it’s best to go for a custom-tailored solution for your commercial installation. You want your employees to be comfortable as overbearing heat can have a large impact on productivity. You’ll want to seek expert advice on your air conditioning installation so you can get the right fit for your business.

One of the biggest mistakes made by businesses, is choosing the wrong air conditioning unit. Anyone considering a commercial air conditioning should get in touch with an air conditioning designer who can tailor the solution specifically for you. These quality air conditioning professionals understand how everything needs to work together and what features you’ll need to get the maximum benefit from your units.

Read on for a rundown on what you should be considering when installing quality air conditioning for your business or commercial property.

Size and Scope

Size is the most important factor to consider before your commercial installation. Each space in your office or building should be treated individually. The air conditioning requirements of an industrial plant will be vastly different to those in a small office. Always choose an air conditioning system that compliments your intended environment.

One of the major decisions will be whether you’re after a single thermostat or if you’ll need to split the system up into different zones. A single thermostat is exactly how it sounds. A unit that is controlled from one spot with that temperature being consistent in the affected area. This is perfect for a smaller area that is self-contained. Businesses such as small restaurants or offices would benefit the most from this solution.

Breaking them up into zones however is the best option for large commercial properties or offices that are divided by lots of individual rooms. These systems have quality air conditioning that can be tailored to each specific room. Your large break room can have its unit working harder to cool the larger, traffic heavy space, whilst the unit in your office with be operating at the lower end as it doesn’t have to affect a larger space.

Not all quality air conditioning units are created equal. Make sure to choose an air conditioner unit with all the features you need that’s within your budget. Your chosen specialist will work with you to design a system that’ll work for you.

Power Usage

The power usage of your air conditioning unit will be an on-going cost you’ll want to consider before your commercial installation. If you end up with a system that isn’t energy efficient it could end up costing you a huge amount of money in the long run. This is of paramount importance for those businesses that will have their air conditioning units running 24/7.

To make sure you get an energy efficient air conditioning unit you may need to pay a bit more money upfront. Don’t worry though, as this will save you big bucks in the long run by way of reducing operating costs. A little immediate pain for some huge long-term gains.

Air Filtering

A little-known benefit of a quality air conditioning unit is its air filtering ability. Air conditioning systems are very effective at removing dust, spores, mold and additional unhygienic particles in your commercial business environment. Removing these ‘baddies’ from the air will create a healthier workplace for you and your staff. Reduce those total sick days with a quality air conditioning unit.

If you’re considering investing in a commercial installation of a quality air conditioning system, always hire the services of the experts such as the team over at https://toshiba-aircon.com.au/. They’ll help you organise the type of system that your business requires. Remember these points when choosing your quality air conditioning and you’ll have a system that benefits you, your employees and your business.

Why Branded Merchandise Should Be Part Of Your Long Term Strategy?

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We all own something with a logo printed on it that we were handed at a promotional campaign of some business. The great thing about these items is that as long as they stay in front of our sight, they are remarketing the brand to the beholder.

 

Creating a Lasting Impression

PPAI’s research survey shows that 62% of people remember the name and colours of a company that offered them promotional goodies. Promotional products are great at serving as reminders of the brand. Customer loyalty and improved customer relations can result from the genius use of such promotional gifts. It creates an urgent appreciation and gratitude that creates a positive association. When you include your contact details on the product, customers are more likely to call you as you are easy to reach and they do not want to brain storm for comparative services.

Valuable Advertising Space

A majority of people work 8 hours every day. As such, many of these people sit in one spot on their desk. During this time, if your prospective client is using branded materials or a printed merchandise item, it is highly likely that they would think of you whenever they need the product you are dealing in. A well-selected product can easily become a permanent billboard of the brand and the message you are trying to send for as long as the item lasts.

Customize Your Promotional Item

You can add a personal touch to your promotional item according to the type of customer you are trying to reach. When you are specific about the way you market your brand, it further filters the right people for you to market to, that are the people who are likely going to use your product. The promotional merchandise works to make them like your brand, as opposed to people who don’t relate to the message in your promotional campaign and you just hand them the printed t-shirts.

Branded and Useful Merchandise

Promotional gifts have more impact when they are useful for the recipient. You do not necessarily select a promotional item because it looks great or that it looks amazing, but because it comes in handy. People are going to keep and carry around things they know they need, especially if they are getting it for free! The good news is that every time that they gaze upon it, that promotional item will be marketing your brand. Businesses want their promotional merchandise to be seen on a daily basis for maximum benefit and for the least cost per impression. That is exactly what you are getting here, except the fact that it is at a much cheaper price as compared to other alternatives.

Cost Effective

Correctly targeted merchandise that is given to the target market can boost sales. If you are taking care of minimizing the cost of producing the item, you are in for good long-term profits for the business.

Sources:

http://www.marketingeye.com.au/marketing-blog/marketing/10-reasons-promotional-products-have-to-remain-part-of-your-marketing-strategy.html

http://www.green-umbrella.biz/2016/08/use-promotional-products-business/

http://www.business2community.com/branding/l-products-making-effective-branding-tools-business-01555157#r7HFm3CvzVukYCpf.97

Simple modifications that will transform your café

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You’ve got a cool café concept, it’s doing pretty well, but you’re looking to move your business onto the next stage by adding a bit of pizazz without spending a fortune?

Relax, the good news is that today’s customers are looking for unique, quirky and niche alternatives to the ubiquitous coffee shop and restaurant chains they see everywhere. This means that neighbourhood cafes and bars are ideally placed to capitalise on local trade. So, why not revamp your venue using some of these cool, chic and cost-effective ideas and modifications:

Signage

Clearly marking out your café’s different areas – and also the facilities available – makes the space so much more user-friendly and inviting. Where should people pay? Is there wifi? Are there books and magazines to read? What’s on the menu?

Check out reclamation yards for vintage memorabilia. You’ll find some great items ranging from ‘toilet’ and ‘cash’ signs to old tin and ceramic advertisements for chocolate and other food items, which will create a great vibe.

Chances are there are many abandoned wooden pallets lying around at your local recycling centre too. Screw a whole one onto a wall to make a great notice or menu board. Or, chop the pallet up into appropriately sized pieces and use stencils and spray paint to create your own signs. These can then be either attached to the wall or hung from pieces of wire or chains from the ceiling. The possibilities are endless.

Blinds

If your venue has an outside seating space, why not think about extending the period of time you can use it by adding some robust but stylish all-weather café blinds? These come in both tinted and see-through PVC, so the beauty of them is that it can be used without obscuring any views you might have, or your on-street visibility to customers.

Storage and display

These are essential to any café. They ensure you can store essential items whilst at the same time showcasing the fantastic products and produce you have for sale in their full glory. And, once again your recycling depot could be your friend:

· Use old upended wooden fruit boxes to display plates of mouth-watering cakes and cookies. Or, turn them on their sides and fill it to the brim with delicious loaves of bread, baskets of apples, etc.

· Pallet wood can upcycled to create a rustic serving counter, window bar or shelves.

· Nail the lids of jam jars to the bottom of shelves and then use the glass jars that screw back on to them to store coffee beans, sweets, different kinds of tea bags and much more.

· Simple, small metal buckets are a great way to both contain and display packets of biscuits, fruit, toys and anything else that could create clutter.

Furniture

We all know that furniture is usually one of the most expensive factors in any revamp. Why not check out the local papers and online sites like Gumtree for any office or home clearance sales coming up? You might find some great leather armchairs and retro filing cabinets, coat stands and much more.

Lighting and power

Definitely one of the most important parts of any design scheme, yet lighting is often neglected in redecoration projects. It’s a good idea to analyse how well the lighting is currently and think about how it could be improved.

Are there any dingy areas that could do with better illumination? Consider how your customers use the space – if you have an area where individuals tend to come and work on their laptops, consider installing some extra power points and lighting nearby. If there are areas where people go to sit and read a book or the paper, it may be wise to add a floor lamp or a couple of anglepoise lights to make it as comfortable as possible.

Pay special attention to the areas where you position things you aim to sell. If you are installing some shelving to promote sales, think about getting some with in-built lighting – or install some strategically placed spotlights.

With a little thought and some imagination, a few key modifications could transform your café into the cool, ‘new’ place to hang out.

Click is Not Always a Good Sound

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Click is the sound that your door makes when it closes.  That sound is supposed to make you feel safe and secure. However, if that sound comes and you have forgotten your keys on the inside then it is the sound of despair. Most doors lock from the inside which means that you don’t need a key to lock it. Once the door shuts, it is locked. Your options for attaining entry back into your home are slim.

  • Check to see if there is an open window or door
  • Call a relative or neighbor to whom you have given a key
  • Locate the hidden key that you placed under a rock, inside of a planter or attached to another part of the property

In recent years, most people do not live with any close family nearby who could come to your rescue. Most people do not really know their neighbors. You may say “Hello” every once in a while, but do you really want to give them the keys to your castle? Another problem might occur if you have a security system that is linked to the police station.  Your best option is to hire a licensed locksmith to come and open the door for you. It is often the less expensive option compared to replacing a window or a broken door.

Cars today also emit a clicking sound when you lock them. You park at a garage, lock the car and put in key in your pocket or bag. When you go to retrieve your vehicle, you can’t find the key. It is nowhere to be found. Your options are very limited. Since 1997, most new cars have adopted a transponder module into the keying system. It is a great way to keep thieves from stealing your car and belongings. Unless you know for certain that the key is in the car, then breaking the window will not assist you in your problem. The reason for this is because unless the transponder code and the car’s computer system’s code match, the car will not start. The only reliable, safe method is to call a locksmith. Licensed locksmiths have access to the data of car manufacturers’ codes.  With this information, they will be able to make a new key.

If you need an emergency locksmith in Perth, Australia, a reliable business to contact is SAS Locksmiths. They provide 24 hour service for autos, homes and businesses. They have trained professionals who specialize in all types of locking mechanisms. They are also licensed by the police departments to assist you in gaining access to your home. SAS Locksmiths are also consultants for installing new equipment for your business or home. They will do a security check of the property that you want to be guarded and advise you the correct locking systems for your needs.  With their state-of-the-art cutting system, they will be able to duplicate a key either on the road or in their shop.

Now that you have gained access to your home and/or car, it is time to do some serious thinking so this will not happen again. First, think about having a dead-bolt lock installed, so that you need a key to actually lock the door from the outside. Next, if you have no family close by to rescue you, make friends with one of your neighbors. Have them keep a set of keys to your home and car. If that is not possible, find an excellent stashed place outside of the property to keep a key.