The Power of the Availability: Boosting Sales and creating less work for Your Nursery.
“it’s impossible”
“it changes too quickly”
“I can never keep up”
“I don’t have time for that”
Does this sound familiar when you talk about creating a catalog or availability for your nursery?
I promise you, it’s not impossible. How else would thousands of nurseries be able to do it successfully?
As a nursery owner or manager, you already are aware of the importance of having a catalog for your products. But did you know it will actually help you save time as well? It helps customers know what you offer at a glance, and it’s a valuable tool for sales and marketing. However, creating a catalog can be challenging, especially if your inventory changes frequently. But don't worry, it is possible to create a it and keep it up-to-date with the help on how to get started.
Include All Your Products
The first step is simply writing it all down, and make sure it includes all the products you currently offer. This might seem obvious, but it can be easy to overlook products that are not your best sellers. Take the time to go through your inventory and make sure everything is included. This is important because it gives your customers a full picture of what you offer and allows them to make informed decisions.
This is where the first objection comes in. “it changes too frequently”. Yes, but once you have the bulk of the work done, adding one or two periodically becomes much easier.
Create Categories
To make it easier for customers to find what they're looking for, consider creating categories for your products. For example, you might have categories for trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. Even subcategories for plant genera like Oak, Holly, Salvia, Agave, and Juniper. This makes it easier for customers to navigate your catalog and find what they need.
Include Photos and Descriptions
This comes in later once you have established the catalog but something to consider in the long run. This helps customers visualize what they're getting and understand its features and benefits.
Update Regularly
Now, let’s talk about the "availability" feature. This is a feature that lets customers know what products are currently in stock. Some nurseries feel that it's impossible to keep up with an availability feature because inventory changes so frequently. However, it's important to understand that many nurseries do it well, and it can be done with the right systems in place.
To keep your catalog and availability feature up-to-date, it's important to have a system for tracking inventory. This can be as simple as a spreadsheet or as complex as inventory management software linked to your sales data. The key is to have a process in place for updating the catalog and availability feature regularly.
Email it out regularly
Emailing your availability or catalog regularly to your customers is an effective way to stay top-of-mind and keep them engaged with your business. By actively reaching out to them on a consistent basis, you demonstrate that you value their business and are invested in maintaining a relationship with them. Additionally, regularly sharing updates about your products or services can help generate interest and drive sales. Whether you send out weekly newsletters, monthly updates, or occasional promotions, making an effort to stay in touch with your customers via email can help you build a loyal customer base and grow your business over time.
In conclusion, creating a comprehensive catalog for your nursery products is an important tool for sales and marketing. It allows customers to make informed decisions and helps you showcase your offerings. With the right systems in place, it's possible to keep your catalog and availability feature up-to-date, even if your inventory changes frequently. Take the time to create a catalog that reflects your business and helps you stand out in a competitive market.
