Businesses that want to make their location more inviting to customers should consider using these ideas. It’s not always easy for potential customers to find your business, and once they do, it doesn’t always feel welcoming. Here are a few of the most important factors you can tweak in order to increase customer engagement.
1. Make sure the store is clean and organized.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but many business owners find it difficult to keep their stores clean. It requires continual upkeep and can require employees to put in more time than they would like, but the result is well worth it. The cleaner your store looks, the better customers perceive your business. This also includes making the necessary repairs if any store damages are present. If there are leaks on the roof, have it repaired, or get a roof replacement if you have to. These things have to be done for the sake of customer satisfaction.
2. Have plenty of hand sanitizer and tissues at the entrance and cash register.
Customers like to see that you care about their health and hygiene, so make sure your employees always have enough hand sanitizer and tissues on hand. Place them near the entrance and at the cash register. This will assure customers that they can stay healthy as they shop, which is vital to businesses.
3. Adjust the lighting in your store.
Customers enter your business primarily through your front door, so it’s important that the interior of your storefront is well lit, especially near entrances and cash registers. Customers should be able to see products clearly and employees should not have problems seeing either. Dark areas can cause customers to feel uneasy, which is also unacceptable for business owners.
4. Make the store smell pleasant.
Make sure your store smells nice at all times. You don’t need to dump gallons of air freshener into your store, just keep it clean with regular bathroom and floor cleaning, as well as keeping all food products fresh. When the food is kept fresh, it will emit a pleasant smell that customers will appreciate. You can also try having plenty of scented candles on display behind the cash register counter to give off a nice aroma as well.
5. Make sure there is sufficient parking for your business location.
Your parking area should be large enough to accommodate the average customer’s vehicle, and there should not be obstacles blocking it that can obstruct a car from fully pulling into a spot nearest to your store. Customers that don’t have a good time when they go shopping will not only tell the few people they know but also post reviews online that can deter future business.
6. Play music in the store to create a relaxed atmosphere.
Music creates an atmosphere and can get customers in the shopping mood. Think about it: many people listen to music when they go shopping at grocery stores, malls, clothing stores, and so on. Your business will attract more customers if you play contemporary instrumental tunes or jazz music softly in your store. You should also consider having a radio station that plays talk radio, as it will keep customers entertained between shopping tasks.
7. Have employees wear appropriate clothing for the occasion.
Customer satisfaction is directly linked to employee satisfaction, so make sure your workers are wearing clothing that represents your brand well. This means they should dress neatly and also be aware of their body language and how they converse with customers. This also means that they should treat customers politely, answer questions if the customer has any, and respond to requests promptly.
8. Decorate the store with plants, artwork, or other decorations.
Customers like to see businesses that put effort into decorating their store. This can include colorful wall art or painted walls. You can also add plants and flowers near the cash register counter to give the store a fresh, natural scent and feel. Decorations should reflect your business’ theme and should be appropriate to your brand, but adding them is an easy way of improving the overall atmosphere of your store.
9. Thank customers for their business when they leave.
Another good way to keep customers coming back is to thank them as they leave your store. Cheerfully say, “Thank you for your business,” and smile as the customer leaves. This makes customers feel valued and appreciated, which encourages them to return in the future. Asking for feedback on what you could do better will also encourage more repeat business, so try to do this often.
In conclusion, these are some easy ways that you can make your business location more inviting. Customers want to feel welcomed and appreciated when they enter a store, so make sure all of these factors are covered and you’ll see your sales start increasing.
