Artisan coffee is a growth industry. Millions of people are rediscovering their love of freshly ground coffee and on every street in every town, there is at least one artisan coffee shop staffed by cool hipsters. With growth in this niche phenomenal, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd, so a great marketing plan is essential. You can’t afford to sit back and wait for customers to find you and learn to love your dark roast espresso or super smooth flat white. Sure, organic traffic will come, but it’s better to kick-start the process with a smart digital marketing campaign.
Build a Website
No matter how amazing your coffee shop is, you need a website. Customers tend to look for a website when they learn about your brand. They want to find out more about you. Coffee junkies are interested in different beans, roasts, and anything coffee related, so it’s essential that you have a fully functioning website open for business at the same time as you open your coffee shop doors.
Use your website as a content marketing hub. Tell your customers more about the types of beans you use and where they originate. Offer hints and tips about the perfect blend and post videos of your finest coffee moments. Little details like this that will help you attract and retain loyal customers.
It’s easy to create a website. Content management systems like WordPress offer a simple drag and drop interface anyone can use. However, you should start with a good hosting package so page loading speeds are not compromised, as this will affect your business. You can sign up for Blue Host with coupons to save money, which is perfect for a startup with very little money left in the budget.
Social Media
A strong social media presence is critical. People love to share content online with their friends and family. Create a Facebook page and encourage customers to join you online. It’s also worth creating a strong presence on visual social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest. Show off your latte art skills and post videos about how to make the perfect cappuccino.
Forum Posting
Many coffee enthusiasts love to chat about coffee online, so join a few coffee forums and become a trusted source of advice. You can share your coffee stories and promote your coffee shop at the same time. It’s also a good place to source new coffee beans and equipment for your coffee shop, as many people in the trade will frequent popular forums.
PPC Advertising
In the early days, PPC advertising is a good way to build up a clientele. Social media PPC advertising is cheap and effective, as it directly targets your ideal customers. Use social media PPC to spread the word and drive footfall to your website and coffee shop.
You don’t need a big budget to market a coffee shop. Once you have customers through the door, your amazing coffee should be more than enough to keep them coming back.