The principal goal of opening a business is to make profit, grow, and expand. However, this is only possible if you have a sizable customer base and some decent numbers as far as the sales books are concerned.
And in case you didn’t know, there’s a significant association between revenue and the amount of time customers spend at your business premises.
Customer Dwell Time
Mostly applicable to brick-and-mortar stores, customer dwell time simply refers to the amount of time customers spend at a particular area during each visit. In most cases, customers who spend more time in a business – or a department within it – end up buying or spending more!
To your business, this usually means increased sales and profits, but it doesn’t come automatically!
Increasing Customer Dwell Time
From revamping your space to adjusting prices, offering discounts, and using interactive displays, increasing customer dwell time may require several approaches, creativity, and sometimes thinking outside the box.
And as much as your business might have more of its focus on cutting costs, sometimes all you need is to invest a little more for even better gains.
Below are a few ways through which you can increase the amount of time (and money) customers spend in your business.
Offer Discounts During Slow Periods
Getting people to spend more time in your store, while increasing revenue is one thing, but getting them to actually buy? That’s an entirely different matter. Well, not everyone is price-conscious all the time, but people tend to be more attracted to discounts, offers, and free things.
This is especially in today’s rather harsh economy, where saving a few bucks from a purchase means a lot. Offering discounts during slow periods can help increase dwell time, boost sales, and even increase customer base over time.
Use Interactive Digital Signage
Installing interactive displays in your business area is another great way to engage the customers and get them spending more time with your business. But how? You may ask.
Because interactive displays are constantly changing, it’s more like an interactive movie than a boring white board. These displays are much easier to navigate and read compared to most bulletin boards, and won’t clutter up the area.
Moreover, interactive display signages can be used in many ways, from running ads to showing directions and even displaying menus in the case of bars, cafés, and restaurants. If you run a pub, for instance, you might need a digital bar menu for your signages. You will thus want to get yours done by an expert who specializes in just that.
Personalize Your Customer Service
Personalizing your customer service can also increase customer dwell time, since it helps keep them engaged with the business. By knowing your customers and what they like and want, your customer service team can better communicate and cater to their needs and requirements. This makes them feel at home whenever they visit your store or business establishment.
Create an Inviting Atmosphere
You know what’s good for keeping people glued to a particular area of a building? Lighting, from natural to artificial! A bunch of candles and incense can be a great way to create an inviting atmosphere for customers. Not only does it create a nice ambiance and make the place look cool, but it also provides warmth, relaxation, and comfort. Different businesses might require different lighting and scents, so you’ll want to brainstorm your options beforehand.
Offer Free Wi-Fi and Power Outlets
If you run a restaurant, pub, or a similar establishment, you’ll know how important it is to have free Wi-Fi or power outlets for your customers. Since many customers use their phones and tablets when they’re around a Wi-Fi or power outlet, an access point like that will encourage them to spend more time and money in your store.
Ultimately, increasing customer dwell time in your business will mean better sales, more profits, and growth. Besides the few methods listed above, there are plenty of other things you can do to get more customers in your store, staying longer, and spending more. This prompts you to start brainstorming with your team to see what can work best for you and your business.
