Benefits of Being a Small Business

Many small businesses struggle to compete with the big-box stores. They feel like they can’t compete but yet, they go against them every day to try to survive. However, keep in mind that there is a market out there for small businesses, as many consumers are just as frustrated and uninterested in big-box retailers as you are!

Keep this in mind:

• Customer Service. Larger stores know how important customer service is – and they struggle with it every day. Since they follow a cost-focused business model, they pay low wages and employ a lot of part-time employees. They also have large numbers of employees and high turnover – both of which are very difficult to manage. The quality of customer service a customer will get in a big box store is not only on the lower end, it is completely unpredictable. As a small business with a few employees, you can put a much stronger focus on customer service – and it will speak volumes to the consumer.

• Quality Products. Larger stores offer cheap products at cheap prices, but not everyone is interested in that. You will never be able to compete on price with big box retailers, so don’t even try to. If your business model is quality products, it can’t also be low prices. If you are focused on quality products, stick to that. There is a market for it!
• Go Mobile. A lot of small businesses close for a day or two each week – something Walmart or Target would never do – not even on a holiday. If you find your business closed a day or two each week, try to give your consumers (especially the millennials) a way to get instant access by offering an online store and/or a store app where you can purchase items.

While competing against big-box retailers can get frustrating, just remember that not everyone is looking for the cheapest price. Pick a business model and make the most of it.

Contact us for more tips to help you grow your business.