The rise of digital businesses has opened up exciting and lucrative opportunities for busy moms looking for ways to augment their income without compromising their responsibilities at home. Online retail, in particular, is a business model that’s flexible enough to feed a mother’s burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit while also melding seamlessly with the rhythm of parenthood. For instance, as a mompreneur, it’s now entirely possible for you to process customer orders between school drop-offs, or to work on promotional content after you’ve tucked the kids into bed.
However, while both traditional and digital marketplaces offer vast earning potential to new mompreneurs, both retail sectors are also brimming with competition. Any retail establishment, whether physical or online, needs more than just great products to thrive. You can’t just set up shop and call it a day.
It will also be essential for you to rally a community around your brand. This community, composed of your customers and followers, has the power to do much more than simply support you with their own purchases. They can also function as your brand’s advocates, spreading the word about your business and amplifying your reach.
As you embark on this exciting venture as a mompreneur, bear in mind that you must be strategic about growing a devoted following for your business. You don’t want to just go out like a fleeting trend, but instead, build genuine relationships with your customers that stand the test of time. Fortunately, there are several concrete steps you can take to connect with your audience and secure their loyalty. Here are four to start with:
1. Optimize Your Store for a Good User Experience
It’s no secret that the retail industry is teeming with competition, especially as far as e-commerce is concerned. If you’d like your store to stand out, start by developing a top-notch user experience. If you intend to run an online store, it may help to think of it as a digital storefront. Visitors who find it unappealing or challenging to use might exit before even viewing your products. Besides making sure your site looks pretty, make sure that it’s easy to navigate and that its search and filtering functions work properly.
A complicated payment process is one of the biggest sources of customer frustration when shopping online—and, by extension, one of the most prevalent reasons for cart abandonment. Sidestep this problem by keeping checkout short and simple and offering multiple payment options to cater to varying customer preferences. To optimize your checkout procedures, try working with an online payment processing company that can provide you with fast, user-friendly, and secure online payment processing services.
For instance, many startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) based in the Philippines turn to Maya Business for digital payment tools such as an online payments gateway and digital invoicing software. One popular product is Maya Checkout, an all-in-one gateway that allows e-commerce businesses to accept payments made through e-wallets, cards, and other emerging digital payment options. Maya Checkout is especially easy to integrate into WooCommerce and Shopify stores, as all users need to do is install a simple plugin. Explore online payment platforms and other solutions that will make customers’ experience at your store pleasant and memorable, and thus motivate customers to stay loyal to you.
2. Develop a Strong Social Media Presence
Venturing into social media can feel like stepping into a bustling marketplace—full of noise, color, and myriad distractions. In such an environment, it’s no small feat to make your store shine. Begin by identifying the social media platforms that your target audience spends most of their time on. Once you’ve figured out where your people are, you can then focus on driving engagement.
Consistency is your best friend here, as consumers will be more inclined to trust you more and come back for your offerings if they know what to expect. Beyond posting regularly, you’ll also want to maintain a uniform brand voice and aesthetic. Social media gives you the opportunity to represent and promote your store in different online communities. Hence, every post, story, or tweet you make should echo your brand’s values and messaging. Practicing this consistency across all your social media accounts will strengthen your brand identity and help your customers get to know your business better.
Social media platforms also give you tons of ways to interact with your customers online, so don’t hesitate to do so. Reply to comments, host live sessions, create polls, or run Q&As. Such efforts will humanize your brand and help you connect more meaningfully with your retail business’s audience.
3. Reach Out to Local Influencers
Influencers wield significant power in shaping consumer decisions in the social media age, as customers typically see them as more relatable and authentic than conventional celebrity endorsers. But before diving into collaborations, it’s crucial to find the right match. Rather than solely looking at follower counts, seek out influencers whose values align with yours as a mompreneur. Your partnership should feel organic, resonating with both your brand and the influencer’s audience.
When reaching out, propose collaborations that are mutually beneficial. This could be in the form of sponsored posts, giveaways, or even long-term ambassadorships. You might also consider hosting joint events, whether online or offline. Such collaborations will amplify your reach, introduce your brand to a wider audience, and infuse fresh energy into your marketing efforts. Be aware that the authenticity of these partnerships is paramount; it’s what makes the collaboration credible and compelling to audiences.
4. Cross-Promote with Complementary Stores
You won’t get anywhere if you try to keep your business afloat all on your own. Partnering with complementary brands is an excellent way to make your mark in the digital market and keep ahead of your mutual competition.
For instance, if you sell handcrafted home decor, partnering with a boutique furniture store can be a match made in heaven. Both businesses cater to home enthusiasts, yet their products complement rather than compete with each other, which makes working together a sensible move.
There are many ways to cross-promote with another store. You could try hosting joint promotions, where a purchase from one store offers discounts at the other. Or consider bundling products together for limited-time offers. Such initiatives not only offer consumers added value but also provide both of your brands with exposure to a broader audience base. The key here is to find businesses that share a similar ethos and customer demographic. Doing so makes collaborations feel natural, ensuring both parties benefit and customers receive a cohesive experience that can truly inspire their loyalty.
As any business-savvy mompreneur will eventually come to know, a loyal following for your retail business takes time, effort, and genuine connection. You’re aiming to go beyond simply making sales; ultimately, you want to nurture authentic relationships with your customers and provide them with real value. Staying adaptable and listening closely to your audience will help you make the most of this journey, as every interaction is an opportunity to grow and learn.
