Feed stores can benefit from ecommerce too! In fact, feed and farm stores are uniquely positioned to grow their revenue through online sales in a way that can help insulate them from big box competition. In this article we will explore some of the in-built advantages and business processes that make ecommerce an extremely valuable business model for many feed and farm stores around the country.
The Farm & Feed Store and Its Products
Many feed and farm stores sell very large and heavy products. This makes typical forms of ecommerce and shipping difficult. Farm stores sell products like tractors, lawn mowers and other forms of heavy equipment. In addition, feed stores are known for selling products that come packaged in heavy bags, such as feed and seed. This includes brands likeĀ Purina,Ā Nutrena,Ā Southern StatesĀ andĀ Poulin Grain. These products are heavy and typically packaged in big, awkward bags. To make matters more difficult, farm stores often sell products like mulch and hay. Can you imagine trying to ship a bale of hay to someone due to an online (ecommerce) order???!!??!
Due to the factors described above, many feed and farm stores struggle with an ecommerce strategy. They just donāt think it will work for their business because they canāt imagine shipping their products. (Hint, ecommerce isnāt just limited to online purchases for shipping!)
Ecommerce for Feed Stores
Trends suggest that customers continue to valueĀ convenienceĀ when choosing the products and services that they purchase. In fact, offering convenience can even help you justify higher prices for your products and services.
What does convenience look like for your business? Wellā¦ you deliver your products locallyā¦ right?
Many feed and farm stores are already accustomed to delivering products in their local market. Whether you deliver mulch, heavy equipment, feed or wild bird seed, the idea of delivering products to your customers is a process that you already have in-built into the way you operate. The disorganized piece of your delivery business is probably the schedule of delivery and the actual ordering process for your customers. Are your customers phoning in orders right now? Or do they request a delivery at the store or via contact forms on your website?
This is where online ordering can play a big role in helping to grow your business. Ordering online for local delivery provides your customers with the ease and convenience of ecommerce without losing their business. They donāt care if the product is shipped or delivered. In fact, your customers who prefer ecommerce will prefer to order from you for delivery because they will not have to pay any shipping charges! Plus, online ordering can be built to be easier and more secure than calling in an order over the phone.
Ordering from your business just became cheaper and more convenient than ordering dog food from Amazon!
Dominate your Local Market
Allow customers in your area to shop your online catalog and order from you for delivery or in store pick up. Big box stores in the farm and feed industry, such as Tractor Supply, will not be able to pull off this type of service. Use this to your advantage and offer customers the convenience they desire at a reasonable price.
One of the most desirable features of this type of local ecommerce is that customers can shop your store when it is convenient for them. They donāt have to wait until your store opens or when they have free time to order from you. They can do it after hours, when the store is closed or while they are on their computer at work. They can even order from your business on their smartphone!
Just organize your delivery rates based on your customerās zip codes. When a customer checks out on your website, they will be charged according to their zip code and the distance their house is from your store.
How can I get my website to do this?
Talk to your developer and ask them to download theĀ Liquid Delivery App. This app can be installed into your website onĀ LightspeedĀ orĀ ShopifyĀ in order to allow customers to select a ālocal deliveryā option when they checkout.
We hope this helps and good luck with all things farm and feed store digital marketing related!