• Stay informed, work together, increase marketing efforts.

• If your storefront is surrounded by construction, consider making the back entrance the front.

• Don't underestimate the power of advertising in your local newspaper and on your local television and radio stations, before, during and after construction.

• Be sure to include information about entrance availabilities and parking in all your advertising.

• Do you have an anniversary or special event coming up? Send out a press release to get free publicity.

• Share customer databases and do joint mailings with other businesses.

• Develop reciprocal, cross-selling promotions with other businesses - "With any $25.00 purchase at Julie's Florist, receive a 20% discount at Joe's Hardware."

• Be proactive - look for ways to expand your business during construction:
  • Offer delivery service as a convenience to your customers who want to avoid the construction
  • Extend your hours to "off construction" hours and offer special events/sales
  • Create special promotions on certain days of the week when your business is slow
  • Offer promotions to construction workers such as providing an additional 10% off

See more tips from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation here: