Maximize Your Curb Appeal
The decision to walk into a business hinges on how inviting it looks from the outside. Your ability to draw in customers from the sidewalk will dictate the money in your cash register. To ensure your business stands out and is consumer-friendly there are several steps to take and concepts to implement.
Using creative window displays that are well-lit and can draw the eye can be especially inviting to customers. This can be an opportunity to display your personality and your finest products so that they can be seen from the streets. Your window display should have consistent messaging or themes and encompass most of the window. Use vinyl lettering along the bottom of the display window to highlight your most popular products and services. A customer should be able to name your top-selling points before even stepping through the door.
During the summer months and high-traffic shopping periods consider using outside displays. Put products on the sidewalk to draw attention to passersby. Make sure there is adequate room for pedestrians and that the displays are safely anchored. There is nothing more off-putting to a potential customer than a bad experience trying to get into the store. It would be helpful to add tasteful and attractive benches, planters, or awnings to complement your business image. Outdoor lighting is just as important as indoor lighting. Use it strategically to highlight your signs, doorway, and storefront. To ensure accessibility and inclusivity, make a conscious effort to think about every type of person who could come shopping at your store and make sure it is welcoming to them. This effort includes making sure your storefront, sidewalk, and windows are clean and well-maintained. Especially in the winter months, make sure your sidewalk is shoveled and salted to avoid customers being unable to enter your store.
Always use open flags that extend into the pedestrian realm, these can create movement and will be noticeable from the street. Avoid neon open signs, if you are using one, you are doing something wrong. The store should look open and welcoming using other elements such as flags and lighting. Post your hours on your door and make them as consistent and easy to remember as possible. If you are open the same hours every day, limit the amount of text by combining timeframes. Finally, never use films that darken the window or curtains that obscure the view into the business. Even when you’re not open, a passerby should be able to see what you offer and make a note to return when the door is open.
