By | Dawn Castell
If you only get one chance to make a first impression, your business’s appearance should be a significant consideration. These are some steps that you can take to improve the appearance of your Richmond, Virginia business and attract new customers.
Landscape
If you work on the street level, you can start with the exterior landscape if you want to improve the appearance of your business. Expertly pruned trees and bushes are visually appealing and add color and warmth that hint at what is inside. Companies that handle landscape like leaf removal Richmond VA, can also clear snow from the sidewalk before it freezes during the winter. Unobstructed walkways and entryways allow visitors to find you quickly and safely.
Sidewalk
Potential clients may think twice about entering your business if debris litters the sidewalk in front of it. It is necessary to check the path leading to your front door throughout the day and discard unsightly garbage. Speedy repairs of cracks and other damage to the pavement can prevent slip-and-fall accidents that may affect your business’s reputation and finances.
Signage
Many businesses create their signs upon first opening and then forget about them. Very often, the signs that greet customers are dirty, outdated, or damaged. It is essential to check your public signs periodically to ensure that they reflect your business’s standards and aesthetics. Exterior signage should correspond with other branded materials to reflect a cohesive message.
Awning
Awnings are particularly vulnerable to neglect because they are out of a business owner’s daily line of vision. However, soot and bird droppings are an eyesore for anyone viewing your business from afar. Awnings, like signage, reflect the care you give your business. They need replacement when they are damaged or outdated; otherwise, they will not function as intended.
Paint
One of the easiest ways to reboot the appearance of your business is to paint the exterior and the interior. Fresh paint instantly wipes away dust and blemishes from walls and trim, and the right colors can have a positive impact on how clients feel. Changing paint colors can give the illusion of a newly designed space at a minimum cost.
Go Wireless
Streamlining your technology is a great way to improve the appearance of your business. You can even go for the option to buy used iPads in bulk from a trusted company as a replacement for bulky equipments. A tidy environment is a sign of professionalism that clients appreciate.
Clean Windows
Businesses that are at street level are subject to all kinds of environmental dirt. Anyone outside can look inside through the windows, and no matter how well the interior is maintained, no one will see that if dirty windows cloud the view. Clean windows can help potential clients decide if they will enter or continue to walk past your business.
Lighting
Lighting is frequently an afterthought for many businesses. A well-lit environment is one in which clients perceive more than what is physically present. Depending on how it is adjusted, light can set a mood, enhance the appearance of products and draw people toward a particular space. Businesses that receive natural light can maintain plants and foliage that add decorative warmth to the environment.
Parking Lot
Many businesses own parking lots because customers want to leave their cars in a safe place while they are conducting business inside an establishment. The ground of a parking lot should be smooth and free of damaging potholes. Period painting can maintain a clean appearance. Good lighting should also extend to the parking lot, especially if your business is open after dark. Adequate light will protect the safety of your customers and prevent unnecessary accidents.
Staff
When you successfully create and maintain your business’s physical structure and design, you must take care to ensure that your staff reflects the public image you want to project. Think about the clients you want to attract and what will make them comfortable. Customers may not feel at ease working with employees whose attire is too casual or too formal. Some businesses solve this problem by requiring employees to wear branded uniforms. Others provide parameters for acceptable attire while giving employees the freedom to choose what they wear. Either way, all staff members should maintain a neat and clean personal appearance.
It takes hard work and dedication to create and run a successful business. Appearance is a vital part of what it takes to attract clients and increase profits in the long-term.
