Building a business isn’t easy, and the storefront is an important part of the process. You’ll want to make sure that you’re creating something that’s functional, but also looks appealing to your customer base.
Here are some tips for building a storefront that suits your business.
Use Custom Outdoor Signs
Signage is one of the best ways to get potential customers into your store. In fact, most businesses rely on signage as one of their primary marketing tools. Unfortunately, many store owners opt for traditional signs or signs that they have seen used by other businesses in their area. This is a mistake because it makes you look like everyone else.
If you want to stand out from the crowd, you need to use custom outdoor signs that tell potential customers why they should come into your store. You can also use custom signage to promote sales and special events that you may be having.
This type of signage is usually printed on mesh banners or vinyl banners that are easy to display both inside and outside of your store.
The Layout
If you have a store in which customers can browse your products, you’ll want to pay extra special attention to the layout. This should be as intuitive as possible, so if you’re selling clothing, for example, you’ll want to group items by size and gender. This will help customers find what they’re looking for much more easily.
A Tip for Displaying Items
While it may be tempting to put all of your products out on display so that people can see them more easily, having too many items out at once can actually have the opposite effect. In fact, if people have too many options it can sometimes make them less likely to buy anything at all.
You’ll want to pick and choose which products are displayed most prominently in your store; keep this in mind as you design your space. If you have top sellers, put them front and center where customers can see them. Include samples and testers if possible, so customers can touch and try your products on site.
Have a Sitting Area in Front of Your Store
Coffee shops often do this by placing chairs and tables outside their doors, but it’s not just coffee shops that can benefit from it. Any kind of business will get increased foot traffic if they offer people an interesting place to stop and sit down.
You could put benches or chairs with umbrellas in front of your shop or even just set up a couple of lawn chairs on the sidewalk in good weather. People will always stop to rest their feet if they have the chance, and many of them will also peek inside your store while they’re doing it.
Consider Your Personal Style
The most important part of creating a storefront is the ability to match your style to the overall look and feel of your establishment.
If you have a clothing store specializing in vintage pieces, you may want to choose a more classic look with elegant fonts and old-fashioned elements. However, if you own a store that sells contemporary art supplies, you may want to go for a more modern design with bold colors and shapes.
Don’t Forget About Lighting
Lighting is often overlooked when designing storefronts, but it is one of the most important aspects — not only does it affect how products are displayed, but it can impact customer safety as well. Lights that are too bright can be uncomfortable, while lights that aren’t bright enough can make shoppers feel unsafe.
Consider carefully where lights should go, and which parts of the store need more or less light at certain times of day.
Some types of lighting will work better for your business than others. For example, retail stores often use track lighting to highlight specific items on shelves, while restaurants might opt for a more natural look with indirect lighting.
Lighting gives your customers a first impression about your store, so you want to make sure it reflects the way you want your business perceived.
The Final Word
Your storefront is the first thing your customers see. It’s their “first impression” of your store, and it can make or break a sale. A good storefront will lead to more sales, while a poorly designed one may cost you valuable customers. There are numerous ways to design your storefront, so make sure it reflects your brand and that it is consistent with the products you’re selling.