Nurseries, horticultural shops and garden centres can use the Internet to increase their clientele and sales.
But they are special cases of businesses. Because they sell a living and sensitive product such as plants and trees. Usually in close proximity to the store. And they have peak sales at certain times of the year.
But let’s see how they can use the Internet without much effort, using the tools and capabilities that exist.
The secret of success is…
What you will read next is technical, requires method and organisation.
It is not a unique knowledge that few possess. It is a common secret.
But the secret to their success is to love what you do and be happy when you do it.
Be happy when you help your customers.
Have as much fun as possible, yourselves!
Informing customers
Informing existing customers about new products or the arrival of new batches of plants and trees is very important.
The fact that someone likes to work in his garden means that he is only concerned with it and has nothing else on his mind, is an observation that can be very helpful.
Without the Internet, the only way for the customer to find out what’s new we have to offer is to simply walk out of our store, stop and walk in.
With the Internet, however, the possibilities are endless to increase traffic and sales.
Why don’t we go to the customer via the Internet instead of waiting for them to come to us?
- To remind him of our existence with useful advice.
- Inform him about the plants, trees and products we have.
- Give him the opportunity to see them online.
- Order them online.
We use: website, online store, advertising in Intermet, newsletter, telephone.
Collection of customer data
In a polite way, you can ask your customers to give you their contact details. E.g. email and phone number.
Let them know that you will use them to inform them about new products, plants, trees that interest them.
Then you can use phones and emails to keep your customers informed.
And guess who they’ll buy from? The ones who informed them!
We use: newsletter, telephone.
Know the needs of customers
We talk to our customers. We find out what they are interested in. What gardens they have.
And as if you were a luxury hotel, you take note of what everyone likes and is interested in so that you give them what they want first.
This is a successful recipe that always works. Because it makes each and every one of us feel important. To be happy that someone cares about them and knows what they want.
We use: newsletter, telephone.
Keep in touch and keep informed
“Eyes that are not seen are quickly forgotten”.
To prevent this from happening to you, you need to keep in touch with your customers. Keep them informed.
Provide them with media and keep in touch with them.
Tell them what they will find at the nursery, nursery shop or garden centre.
We use: website, e-shop, Newsletter, Social Media, Internet advertising, Telephones
Use Social Media (Social Media)
Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) are a huge area for finding and keeping customers.
Try to be actively involved.
But be glad when you do. Don’t be a chore and especially a methodical attempt to sell. People understand this and walk away.
Social media posts should bring joy to you first.
This will create a positive atmosphere around your business.
Utilize: Social Networks, website, online store
Publications in specialized sites
You can use niche sites to promote your business.
Publish articles.
Give answers in their forums, participate in discussions.
The advantage that these sites have is that they bring together an audience that is already interested in the plants, trees and products you sell. Promoting on them will have the maximum return in terms of awareness.
One such website is kalliergo.gr.
Patience, Love and Method
Patience because success will not come quickly, but it will be great and lasting.
Love for what you do. People will appreciate it and follow you.
A method to make good use of the tools that technology gives you.
Create Team
No one can do everything by himself, no matter how well he knows it.
It’s hard to imagine the manager of a nursery, grow shop, garden center, answering the phones himself, sending orders, posting on social media, managing the website, updating the online store, taking care of the plants in the nursery, shipping orders, keeping up to date on developments, and so much more!
In order for him to run the business (regardless of whether he knows how to do everything himself), he needs to build a team of people around him. He can start with an outside partner or his/her partner and then expand.
The secret of success in the development of a nursery, garden center, agronomic shop
The secret of success in the development of a nursery, garden center, agricultural store is:
- Love and concern for the fellow human being
- Have a good time yourselves
- Love what you do
- Build a Team
- Use of tools
- Good partners
- Patience and method
