If 2020 has shown us anything, it’s that you can’t always depend on old strategies or mindsets, and to expect the unexpected. Back in 2019, none of us could have foreseen what was round the corner in 2020. The consequence of not having an online platform could mean the difference between success or failure of your business. This begs the question: “Is your print business geared for growth in 2021?”
According to yelpeconomicaverage.com more than 100 thousand businesses closed permanently in the United States alone in 2020. Whilst not specific to the print industry, this figure should be enough to consider whether your strategies are robust enough to ensure growth in the year ahead. We’ve put together a few things to consider as part of your action plan to diversify and grow your revenue below.
Establish an e-commerce store
For many print companies, lockdown meant the closure of physical store locations with no other way to keep generating revenue. In cases where print companies did have an e-commerce store that enabled customers to keep placing orders, revenue not only continued, but grew to figures that exceeded Black Friday & Holiday season sales. This can be seen in the recent news from Costco. They announced that they are closing all their photo departments in store but will continue to make these services available online for home delivery.
If you’d like to take your photo print & personalisation business online, get in touch with one of our team members today for your demo.
Test, Test, Test your website
An analysis by Craig Sullivan (@OptimiseOrDie) showed that £650K is lost in e-commerce monthly (in the United Kingdom) due to 5 common issues on websites. There is nothing more important than making sure your customer can complete their purchase on your website. Carry out regular testing on your website.
Is your website easy to navigate? Can customers easily find what they’re looking for? Neglecting to test your website is the equivalent to leaving a till open in your physical store; in both instances you are losing money. Do not forget about the checkout and fall at the final hurdle; ensure that the checkout process is quick and simple to avoid adornment. Make sure pricing is clear from the start and the registration forms are not too long and complicated. Consider those on mobile too, for example are you sure that you use the correct keyboard formats for certain fields. An example of this, is using number pad vs keypad (important for entering phone numbers and card details).
Add new products
In the UK alone, £18 billion is spent annually on pets (cats & dogs). 66% of all pet owners spend on accessories for their pets (including Christmas and birthday presents). This is just one example of a niche you may find in the photo merchandising market. Adding a new product like a personalised pet jumper or blanket is a great way to get into a new market whilst utilising your existing equipment. The key is to think outside the box and research where consumers are spending their money!
Taopix can help you shift gears
Taopix have over 14 years in the whitelabel photo-gift and personalisation software market. We have built a reputation for helping customers thrive. Our team of experts will be part of every step of your journey and offer you the best advice to help you achieve your goals. Partner with experience and take your photo-gifting and print business to the next level. Book a demo today.