So, you’re thinking of opening a pharmacy. That’s great! The pharmacy industry is booming, and there’s always room for another player in the market. But before you open your doors for business, there are a few things you need to have in place. So, here’s a list of things your pharmacy should have before it opens its doors to customers.
Permits and Licenses
Before opening your doors, you must have all the necessary permits and licenses. The requirements vary depending on your location, so research what you need to operate legally.
A Business Plan
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people try to open a business without a solid plan in place. Your business plan doesn’t have to be hundreds of pages long, but it should outline your goals, strategies, and financial projections for the business. Without a dream, it’s tough to make your business successful.
Funding
Opening a new business is expensive, and unless you have deep pockets, you will need to secure funding from investors or loans from financial institutions. So make sure you have your financial ducks in a row before opening day.
A Prime Location
The location of your pharmacy is essential for two reasons: foot traffic and competition. Of course, you want a place that gets a lot of foot traffic so that people are more likely to come in and shop at your store. But you also don’t want too much competition from other pharmacies in the area. So find the perfect balance for your location, and you’ll be off to a good start.
The Right Suppliers
It would help if you build relationships with suitable suppliers to get the best prices on inventory and keep your shelves stocked with the products your customers want. Do your research and find suppliers who can provide what you need at a price that makes sense for your business.
A Good Website
In today’s world, having an online presence is crucial for any business, including pharmacies. Make sure you have a well-designed website that is easy to navigate and provides all the potential information customers might want.
A Strong Social Media Presence
Social media is a powerful tool to help you reach new customers and promote special offers or deals at your pharmacy. Make sure you are active on all the major social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and regularly post engaging content that will get people talking about your business.
Experienced Staff
Your staff is one of your most significant assets, so make sure you hire experienced employees who know the ins and outs of the pharmacy industry. In addition, they will be the ones dealing directly with customers daily, so they must be knowledgeable and able to provide excellent customer service. Finally, ensure you hire an assistant manager who can help with the store’s day-to-day operations and a head pharmacist overseeing all medications and prescriptions.
An Inventory Management System
To keep track of your inventory and ensure that you always have the products your customers need in stock, you need to implement a sound inventory management system. Many software programs available can help you with this, so do your research and find one that will work well for your business.
The Right Technology
To run a successful pharmacy these days, you need to have the right technology in place. This includes everything from point-of-sale systems to electronic health records. Make sure you invest in technology that will streamline operations and make life easier for employees and customers. Many programs are available, so do your research and find the ones that are right for your business.
A Marketing Plan
You need to let people know that your pharmacy exists! Develop a marketing plan outlining how you will get the word out about your business. This could include everything from traditional advertising to online marketing to PR and events. Determine what makes sense for your business and budget, and then execute your plan. Some good pharmacy marketing options include Google AdWords, Facebook Ads, and direct mail.
Good Relationship With Nearby Doctors and Hospitals
Word-of-mouth is still a powerful marketing tool, so you must develop good relationships with the doctors and hospitals in your area. You’ll likely get new business if they recommend your pharmacy to their patients. So reach out and introduce yourself—you never know where your next customer might come from.
Employee Training
Ensure your employees are adequately trained on everything from customer service to how to use the technology in your store. The better they are, the smoother things will run at your pharmacy. It’s also good to invest in product training so they can make recommendations to customers.
A Loyalty Program
One way to encourage customers to keep returning is by implementing a loyalty program. This could be as simple as giving discounts to customers who make frequent purchases or offering rewards points that can be redeemed for free merchandise. Whatever form it takes, a loyalty program is an excellent way to build customer loyalty and keep people coming back from time to time.
An Advertising Budget
Even if you have the best location, the most experienced staff, and the most simple loyalty program, none will matter if nobody knows about your pharmacy. So make sure you allocate some money in your budget for advertising, so potential customers know about your store and what it offers.
Insurance
To protect your business, you must ensure you have the right insurance. This includes professional liability insurance for healthcare professionals and property and casualty insurance. Make sure you are adequately covered before opening your doors to the public. Before getting property insurance, make sure you inventory everything in your store so you can be sure to get the proper coverage.
If you’re thinking about opening a new pharmacy, several things you need to have in place before taking the plunge. From securing funding to finding the perfect location, ensuring you have the right technology, and putting together an advertising budget, there’s a lot to think about! But if you take care of all the details before opening day, you’ll be well on running a successful pharmacy business.