~by Brooke Chaplan~.
Every store owner knows that sometimes it can be difficult to get people in the door. This is especially true for newer shops that haven’t found their customer base yet. As everyone knows, having no sales means certain death for a business. No matter what you’re selling, it is always important to draw your customer in with an attractive and relevant storefront that tells the world you’re open for business.
Mind Your Signage
Who’s going to go into a store if they don’t know what they’re selling? The sign that hangs over your shop might make or break you, depending on a lot of factors. If you’re going for a trendy feel, don’t put your sign in traditional font. Also, be sure to advertise, right out front, your popular products and any deals or specials you might be running. Putting out a “Holiday Sale” sign might be the difference between making it through the season and having to close up shop. Additional signs that advertise your duration in your community, your popularity, or anything new you might be carrying will all help draw in more paying customers.
Display Products Proudly
If you sell clothes, make them visible from outside the store. If you’re selling food, figure out a way to get that smell drifting out the door, and make sure people can see what’s cooking. Nothing makes you hungrier than seeing good food. And customers are much more likely to buy your product if they see it and realize they’ve got to have it.
Renovate
If you own your commercial space, consider doing some fixing up beyond the superficial. For companies with downright ugly storefronts, or maybe ones that just feel outdated or like they could use some freshening up, there is always the option to tear down and start fresh. Glass facades where you can display your products are a particularly attractive option. You could also try interesting window shapes, such as cookies with a bite out of them for a bakery, or custom doors with baseball bat shaped handles for a sports novelty shop. Or, for a lower-cost option, add a fresh coat of paint to your shutters, window frames, door, and storefront wall. It’s important to know that if you’re going this route, you’re going to want to confer with safety experts with a masters degree in law, or perhaps familiarize yourself with legal standards in your area, to avoid any problems down the road.
Whether you’re new to the business or have been doing it for decades, there’s always something you can improve about your storefront. Many people overlook this crucial element of their company in favor of more obvious issues. But beware; no matter how great your business is, it will always have to bring people in the door.
Brooke Chaplan
Meet the Author: Brooke Chaplan
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. Contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
