July in San Antonio is hot. Brutally hot. And when it’s 105 degrees outside, people aren’t exactly eager to go shopping. They’re at home, they’re at the pool, or they’re in the one restaurant with the strongest AC on the Riverwalk.
For local retailers, this creates the summer slump…that frustrating period between Memorial Day and back-to-school when foot traffic drops and sales flatten out. If you are already looking ahead to Q4, our guide to customer retention strategies for retailers heading into the holidays will help you turn summer improvements into fall revenue.
You can’t control the weather. But you can control how visible your business is when someone does decide to shop. And that starts with your Google Business Profile.
Update Your Summer Hours
If you’ve adjusted your hours for summer…opening later, closing earlier, or adding weekend availability…update your Google Business Profile immediately.
Nothing frustrates a potential customer more than driving to a shop that Google says is open, only to find the doors locked. That customer doesn’t call you…they go to your competitor and leave you a bad review.
While you’re at it, update your hours for any upcoming holidays. July 4th is done, but Labor Day will be here before you know it.
Post Summer Promotions Weekly
Google Business Profile posts are free, visible to anyone who searches for your business, and they expire after seven days. This makes them perfect for weekly summer promotions.
Ideas:
- “Summer clearance…40% off spring inventory this week only”
- “Christmas in July sale…beat the crowds and shop holiday gifts now at 20% off”
- “Free shipping on online orders over $50…too hot to shop in person? We get it.”
One post per week takes five minutes and keeps your profile fresh. Google favors active profiles in local search rankings. Our guide to mid-year website optimization for San Antonio retailers covers additional strategies to keep your online presence sharp during the slower months.
Add Your Product Catalog
Google now lets retailers add products directly to their Business Profile. This is a huge feature that most small shops in San Antonio haven’t discovered yet.
When someone searches for a product you carry…say, “handmade candles San Antonio”…your Business Profile can show a photo of your candle, its price, and a link to purchase or visit your store.
Start by adding your 10-20 best-selling or most unique products. Include good photos, accurate prices, and brief descriptions. It’s like having a storefront inside Google. For a comprehensive mid-year review process, our Google Business Profile audit guide for retailers covers additional optimization steps worth taking.
Collect Summer Reviews
Fewer customers in the store means each interaction matters more. Make every summer visitor feel special, and ask each one for a review.
“Thanks so much for coming in today…especially in this heat! If you loved your experience, would you mind leaving us a quick Google review? It really helps us out.” Then hand them a card or text them a link.
A steady stream of reviews through the summer means your profile looks active and trustworthy when the fall shopping rush begins. For a complete year-end review of your Google presence, our guide on auditing your retail shop’s Google Business Profile walks you through the full process.
Use the Messaging Feature
Google Business Profile has a built-in messaging feature that lets customers text you directly from your listing. Enable it if you haven’t already.
During the summer slump, some customers want to ask questions before making a trip: “Do you carry [product]?” or “What time do you close on Saturdays?” Quick answers turn curious searchers into visiting customers.
Set up messaging notifications on your phone and commit to responding within an hour during business hours.
The summer slump doesn’t have to mean a summer standstill. Stay active on your Google Business Profile, and you’ll stay top of mind when San Antonians are ready to shop again.
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