Technology - Simple Ways to Help Your Business

Technology is really driving so much of what consumer's do. We spoke a few weeks ago about social media and how doing a little can really generate some exceptional feedback from your best customers. Yes, I-Phone Apps aren't as easy to make but thinking about technology and how it can help your stores is critical these days. But there are a lot of simple things you can do. For instance, Yelp is a popular online store/retail guide and their I-Phone App is extremely helpful. Are you listed on Yelp? And if you are, are you following the ratings and the reviews people provide to learn more about what your customers value and don't?

That is just one of so many technologies that are taking place these days and while you don't want to build a software application for your store (other than a website of course), you'll want to consider the simple ways you can use it. For example, let your customers provide feedback on specific wines on a central computer in your store so other customers can click and read what others had to say while shopping. They don't need to be at home to use a computer and the data for you will be invaluable.

Join the traditional power sites like Facebook and Twitter if anything just to have a profile and easily send out simple promotions or event invites once or twice a month. Become an active community member on Wine 2.0 and other wine social networking sites. Yes, we know, it's quite exhausting keeping up but it's exciting too. Don't try to do too much, but pick and choose some of the ones you know your customers use. And to find the ones they use, the only thing to do is ask them. They'll lead you in the right direction.