In business, it’s vital to make a good first impression. Often, when you’re trying to impress customers or potential investors, partners or employees, you don’t get a second chance. If you’re aiming to boost sales, expand your client list, or launch a new venture, it’s wise to ask yourself what your business premises say about you. Take a walk in a prospective client’s shoes, and think about whether you’re underselling your brand or making life difficult for yourself by getting off on the wrong foot. If you feel that there is room for improvement, here are some key areas on which to focus.
Exterior appeal
There are some businesses where exterior appeal doesn’t play any part in attracting clients or securing deals. However, in many industries, being able to turn a client’s head is crucial. If you have a store, a restaurant, a club, a bar, a hair or beauty salon, or a hotel, for example, you want to impress customers from the moment they catch sight of your business as they drive or walk past. If your shop windows look fabulous, for example, you’re going to make people look twice and want to discover what’s inside. The exterior of the premises is not just important for luring people in and captivating their imagination. It also plays a key role in creating that all-important first impression. Consider how you would feel as a customer turning up outside an office or a dental clinic that was run-down with chipped paint and clogged guttering. Even if the interior is mindblowing, you could potentially lose people before they even step through the door. Take a good look at the outside of your business premises. How do you feel? How does the aesthetic represent your brand? If there are problems, address them as a priority. Often, simple things like a lick of paint, new signage, and a couple of potted trees or hanging baskets can make all the difference.
Cleanliness
When you run a business, it’s essential to keep the premises clean. Some industries demand pristine floors and surfaces, but every company can benefit from a regular clean-up. If you don’t have the time or the staff to keep your store, office or laboratory clean, it’s worth considering hiring a cleaning agency. Think how about how you would feel if you were trying clothes on in a shop with dirty floors or you were looking at the interior of a restaurant through windows caked with dirt and dust. Cleanliness gives off the right impression to customers, and it also makes interiors look better. As a business owner, you want to showcase your firm in its best light at all times, and falling behind with cleaning is going to hold you back. When looking for cleaning services, it’s wise to explore your options and get some quotes. If you’ve got meetings set up, you’ll find Smart Cleaning Solutions’ checklist for interviewing a commercial cleaner helpful. Read client reviews and testimonials and check prices. Search for expertise in certain areas if you have a niche business, or you are required to operate according to policies, for example, you run a medical company.
Ambience
Have you ever noticed that you feel hungry when you walk into a grocery store or that your shoulders drop and your heart rate falls when you stroll into a spa? Impressing customers and setting the tone isn’t just about the look of your business premises. It’s also about the ambience. You want your customers to feel comfortable, relaxed, and at ease, and you can do this by making sure you create the right vibe. Think about the type of business you run, your target market, and the kind of experience you’re keen to provide for your clients. If you’re offering services such as facials and massages, the aim is to promote calmness and serenity. Opt for soft lighting, mood music, and subtle scents. If you have a coffee shop, and you want people to kick back and hang out during their lunch break, go for a playlist with popular tunes, comfy seating and a layout that encourages social interaction.
Originality
When you’re building a brand, it’s essential to stand out from the crowd. Most businesses operate within a saturated market. If you’re competing against a multitude of companies, how are you going to attract clients, and make sure that they stay with you? Often, especially in industries like retail and hospitality, originality is the difference. If you’re walking down the street, and you see a shop front that looks different to the rest, you might look twice and decide to investigate what lies beyond the window. Don’t attempt to blend in when you have a chance to stand out. The way you design your premises, whether it’s a gym, a clothing store, a bar or an office, can play a significant role in promoting your brand. You want people to know your name, and to develop a positive association with your brand. If the exterior or interior is a little bland, for example, you could be missing a trick. If you’ve got cutting-edge clothing in-store, there’s a disconnect between what you’re selling, and how you’re presenting it. Switching up the aesthetic could make your business more appealing to the customers you’re trying to target and increase your chances of beating the competition.
Scientists estimate that it takes us around 7 seconds to form an initial impression. As a customer, you probably come up with ideas and opinions about other businesses on a daily basis, but have you ever thought about the kind of impression your company is giving off? Put yourself in a customer’s shoes, and take a walk up to the front of the building. What do you see, and how do you feel? Next, go through the door. What’s the atmosphere like, and how clean and fresh is the space? Do you like what you see, or do you feel like you’ve seen the same aesthetic a hundred times before? As a business owner, it’s beneficial to analyse and evaluate your own venture on a regular basis. If you have a shop, an office, a salon, or a cafe, you want people to feel upbeat the moment they see your brand name. If you can’t impress first time around, you may not always get a second chance.
