Improving Foot Traffic Appeal

Improving Foot Traffic Appeal
Tips for Sprucing Up Business Curb Appeal This Spring
Jan 30, 2010 Katelyn Thomas
As weather begins to warm and foot traffic increases, many small business owners are realizing that it is time to give their offices or stores a face lift to make their businesses more appealing to all those potential customers strolling by. Businesses with a renovation budget will repaint, replace all the furniture or make other big changes. Does this mean that businesses that are struggling to make ends meet aren’t able to improve their building’s appearance this spring? Not at all. For those that don’t have money in their budgets for a big makeover, there are still plenty of small things that can be done to spruce up the building or office.
Replace Handwritten Signs With Professional Looking Signs
Sale signs can pull in foot traffic. However, if the business owner literally scribbles “sale” on a piece of cardboard and sticks the sign in the window, people walking or driving by will think the store owner is so desperate to make some money that he or she can’t even afford decent signs.
Store owners that don’t have the cash for professionally printed signs can make their own signs with their computer and printer or can head to the craft store for a piece of foamcore and a packet of black alphabet stickers to create a big sale sign that still looks neat and businesslike.
Make Tasteful Sidewalk Sale Displays
Warmer weather brings the opportunity for store owners to allow their stores to spill over onto the sidewalk with an attractive sidewalk sale display. To set up a sidewalk sale, store owners should:
· Be sure sidewalk sales are allowed by both the town and the landlord.
· Decide on a theme for the sale. Is it a clearance event? Perhaps only green items are on the table because it is St. Patrick’s Day.
· Think about whether the sale will only include last year’s spring merchandise or if a few nice pieces from this year be prominently added to the display at loss leader prices?
· Make sure all items are neatly arranged on nice racks or tables, since the jumble sale look is definitely not something most store owners want to have in front of their stores and will probably not attract as many people as a tasteful display that makes it easy for people to browse.
Change Window Displays for Spring
Unpacking inventory, changing sale signage and a variety of other tasks keep store owners busy in the spring. Sometimes, they are so busy that they don’t remember to take down the Christmas tree and other items displayed in the front window. Since inviting window displays are a great way to pull in customers, it is a good idea to create spring window displays.
Create a Spot for People Who Are Shopping With Customers to Relax
Not all customers show with friends and family. However, for those that do, a nice seating area can make all the difference. In fact, customers have been known to decide to shop for big ticket items, like cars in a dealership, just because a business had an inviting little area set aside for their children to stay in while they browsed. When a glance in the window shows a cozy little nook off to the side with a few comfortable chairs and a table with books and magazines on it, the potential customer is more likely to decide that just one more stop will be okay.
For small business owners who want to take advantage of foot traffic to grow their businesses, making the store or office look as inviting as possible is essential. Consider updating window displays and using professional looking signage to give a business more foot traffic appeal.