Why Fast-Food Marketing Isn’t Sustainable for Local Businesses:
As a local business owner, you always look for ways to boost sales, attract new customers, and stay competitive. The pressure is real. In this fast-paced, deal-driven world, it’s tempting to turn to daily deal discount websites for a quick fix. After all, they promise to flood your business with customers, and who doesn’t want that? But while the results may seem immediate, they come with hidden consequences.
Think of discounting as the marketing equivalent of fast food: it’s quick, it’s easy, and it's satisfying in the short term – but there are long-term consequences you might not be prepared for.
The Appeal of Daily Deal Discounts Websites:
Discount websites like Groupon, Itison or Voucher Codes are designed to give businesses instant access to a large audience. They offer customers a chance to save big on your products or services, making them attractive to budget-conscious buyers. As a business owner, you see the numbers: more customers, higher foot traffic, and the hope that some of these one-time deal hunters will become loyal patrons. But, just like fast food, it’s not all good for you in the long run.
The Hidden Costs of Discounting:
It’s Like Fast Food for Your Business
1. Short-Term Gain, Long-Term Pain:
When you run a promotion on discount websites, the impact is often short-lived. You may see an influx of customers for a few days or weeks, but once the deal ends, so does their loyalty. These customers were primarily looking for a bargain, not for the unique value your business offers. This means that while you may see a spike in sales, it often doesn’t translate into sustainable growth or return customers.
You’re essentially attracting bargain hunters, not brand advocates. Instead of building lasting relationships with your customers, you're only giving them a quick fix – like indulging in fast food when what you need is long-term nourishment.
2. Eroding Your Profit Margins:
Discounts are an easy way to attract attention, but they come at a significant cost. Typically, daily deal websites take a large percentage of the revenue from each sale, often 30-50%. On top of that, you're slashing your prices to attract customers, which means your already thin margins are squeezed even tighter.
While the immediate surge in customers might seem like a win, you’re not really profiting as much as you think. And this doesn’t even account for the cost of delivering discounted services or goods, which can eat into your earnings.
You might be busier, but are you making money? Just like fast food offers instant gratification but lacks nutritional value, constant discounting might leave you feeling full but without the lasting benefits.
3. Creating a Cycle of Discount Dependency:
Once you start discounting, it’s hard to stop. Customers who have become accustomed to deals and discounts are less likely to return unless there's another offer. This creates a dependency on ongoing discounts to drive traffic, making it difficult to sell at full price. Over time, you may feel like you're stuck in a race to the bottom, sacrificing your value just to compete.
In the end, you could end up in a cycle of perpetual discounting, diminishing your brand’s value and weakening your ability to charge fair prices for your services. It’s a slippery slope, and it can be hard to break free.
A Better Way:
So, if discounting isn’t the sustainable answer, what is?
Rewarding to Win Loyal Customers with Getslocal
At Getslocal, we offer a more holistic, long-term 365 day solution: a rewards program that focuses on customer loyalty, community engagement, and lasting growth.
Think of it as a nourishing, wholesome alternative to fast food marketing – one that builds a stronger foundation for your business and your community.
Why Getslocal Rewards is the Smart Choice for Your Business
With Getslocal, you’re not just running promotions but creating sustainable, ongoing relationships with your customers.
Here’s how our rewards program works for you:
Low-Cost and No-Cost Rewards Strategies
• Easily implement rewards programs without eating into your margins.
• You can offer low-cost incentives, like discounts on the next purchase, or no-cost perks, like exclusive access to upcoming deals.
The Coalition Effect
• Be part of a local coalition of businesses, amplifying your reach.
• Share a pool of engaged customers who prioritise local shopping and value rewards.
Direct Control Over Your Customers
• Register Your Own Customers: Build your own customer list directly within the Getslocal platform.
• Send Direct Offers: Reach your customers and followers directly via email or push notifications. No middlemen, no gatekeepers.
100% Business Control
• Businesses maintain full control of their offers and interactions. You decide what deals to run, when, and how.
Access a Large Pool of Customers
• Tap into Getslocal’s growing network of local shoppers without losing autonomy.
• Engage customers actively looking to support local businesses like yours.
Upload Your Own Customer List
• Bring your existing customers into the rewards ecosystem.
• Seamlessly integrate your database and encourage them to engage with your offers.
Add Your Own Deals
• Whether you have deals ready or need a little help, Getslocal makes it easy to showcase your offers.
• Receive support from the Getslocal team to design and promote your deals effectively.
View Analytics for Smarter Decisions
• Get insights into how your offers are performing with detailed analytics.
• Track customer engagement, rewards redemption, and more, so you can refine your strategies.
No POS System Linking Required
• No need to invest in complex, expensive technology to participate.
• Use the Getslocal platform seamlessly without changing your existing systems.
Why Rewards is the Smart Choice for Your Business:
Building Real Loyalty, Not Just Transactions:
With Getslocal UK, you’re not just attracting a crowd of one-time bargain hunters – you’re cultivating a loyal customer base. The rewards program encourages repeat business by offering customers incentives for supporting local businesses, whether it's through points, discounts, or exclusive perks.
The result? Instead of just getting a rush of people who disappear after the sale ends, you’re creating a lasting relationship. Your customers will return because they feel valued, and they know their loyalty is being rewarded – not just their desire for a deal.
Sustaining Your Profit Margins:
Unlike deep discounts, the Getslocal UK rewards program doesn’t erode your margins. The rewards are structured in a way that benefits both you and your customers without giving away the store. You reward loyalty incrementally, which means customers aren’t just coming for one deal – they’re coming back for the value you consistently provide.
Because the rewards are designed to be earned over time, you can control the costs and keep your margins intact. You also avoid the trap of constantly having to discount just to attract customers.
Supporting Local Communities and Keeping Money Close to Home:
When you choose Getslocal UK, you’re not only supporting your business – you’re also contributing to the strength of your local economy. The platform connects businesses to other local enterprises, creating a network of support that drives community-wide growth.
Instead of sending money to corporate giants or national deal platforms, Getslocal UK helps keep funds circulating within your community. It’s a win-win for your business and for the people who live and work in your area.
The Sustainable Choice for Local Growth:
While discounting may seem like an easy, fast way to bring in customers, it’s not a sustainable solution for long-term growth. Just like fast food offers a momentary indulgence without nourishing your body, discounting can provide a quick boost but leaves your business depleted.
Getslocal offers a healthier, more sustainable alternative that rewards both your customers and your business. Instead of relying on fleeting discounts, build a loyal customer base, strengthen your margins, and contribute to a thriving local economy.
It’s time to choose a smarter, more sustainable path to success. With Getslocal,
