In this modern day and age, it is important for all industries to understand the impact of the digital age we are living in and make sure they know the direct effects that it can have on their business. To put it into perspective, online shopping has grown and grown. It was even reported that around 90% of customers online bought at least one thing digitally in the past year. Sales online have increased and increased. However, the wedding industry has still had a fairly large offline presence. I mean, how many people want to buy a wedding dress without trying it on? Groomsmen will want to purchase well-fitting suits, and the chance to taste things with a caterer is part of wedding planning. But are there avenues for wedding retailers to make more money if they are also online?
Will Wedding Retailers Work Online?
Many competitors are already online. So there is plenty of reason for them to be on there. But will it work? With social media apps growing like wildfire, the likes of Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook, it is already impacting the industry. How many ‘wedding’ boards do we see on Pinterest these days? How many people will now click through the images they see, to then purchase the veil, wedding bands or shoes right away?
Around half of people planning their wedding use social media, it has been reported, with around 40% of brides following a wide range of wedding vendors, like photographers, venues, and florists, on social media. So the evidence is there that there is a market for it. Social media even plays a role on the wedding day. Modern brides are often found creating a hashtag for their big day, so they can view guest photos all together. So if wedding retailers haven’t yet established themselves on social media, then it is about time that they did. Think of all that exposure that they could be missing.
How Can The Generate Exposure Online?
There is always going to be a need for wedding retailers. It is an industry that always has customers. So there is no doubt that the potential is there. Take engagement ring retailer 77 Diamonds, for instance. Nowadays, as long as people know their ring size in advance, they are pretty happy to buy things like rings online. With retailers offering secure deliveries, warranties, and return policies, it does make it an easy option.
Things like wedding fairs are never going to go away. They have been around for a long time and will be, for sure. But during the planning process, an online presence is a must if you’re in the wedding industry. So maybe it is time that wedding retailers, suppliers, and professionals in the industry use the internet as a way of extending their business and reaching more people. Traditional methods in the wedding industry look like they are here to stay. But there is a lot of exposure to be had when your business is taken online.
