Today’s post on The Every Designer, we discuss how business is virtually the new business.
Shopping online can be tricky especially during the covid time. You want to touch, smell, and feel the materials or accessories that will go into your home. Currently, many business establishments suffer without walk-in flow and so we question…Since we are on zoom for virtual design appointments, do showrooms matter? I would say 50/50.
Reading online blogs and design business articles, it’s come to my attention that the COVID pandemic is re-creating the purpose in how businesses can run, especially showrooms. At first, it was important for a customer to interact with a sales rep regarding products, but with virtual design — it makes it better for the customer to finalize and not shop around too much. They rely on the expert and 100% will trust their advice and suggestions. So, how is virtual business the new business? Virtual business creates a major profit by not paying overhead expenses. Overhead expenses such as lighting, internet, and water are just a few that would be a cost factor into running a store.
Virtual business has its many great benefits. The benefits of creating an online appearance for customers to view 24/7 is what the new business is all about. Customers are able to shop unlimitedly without the restrictions of a showroom time. The amount of response time is quicker on questions and/or concerns. The only downfall about it is that it can be challenging if the customer is very particular about a product that would be custom made. In person consultations are best for these types of requests.
Although my favorite type of shopping is online, I would say in person shopping is much better, especially for Home Buying products. Design is a relationships business. Without speaking to a rep regarding your ideas, it’s hard to communicate online what you are looking for. Since we are currently working in a remote only world until the virus is controlled, I believe business showrooms now should work on how to make the showroom experience even better when we are back to normal. Create an even better branded experience that will make them see how much they’ve missed in-person shopping. Just a thought.
