Plenty of your marketing efforts and methods are probably targeted toward customers searching online for a business that offers your products and services. However, not all your business hails from the web. Instead of focusing solely on one method of attracting business, consider ways to appeal to customers walking by too. Your street traffic is an important part of your word-of-mouth advertising and loyalty to the brand. Use these ideas to create more interest in your storefront and physical location.
Select the Right Spot
If you're scouting for a new location for your business, choose one that has a great deal of foot traffic. Also, check out the neighborhood it’s in. For example, a high-crime area might attract trouble, not customers. On top of that, you need to see where your competition is. If you're the owner of a deli, opening up next to another deli, especially one cherished by the community, is unlikely to help you out.
Develop a Safe Experience
DIY home security systems lack an important feature: monitoring. A business-specific package could help. Looking into a home security package or app designed for businesses can help your business or store look professional and safe. Installing security cameras around the perimeter can help you keep unsavory individuals away, and doing so can also help customers to feel safer shopping in your store.
Create Useful Signage
People might just walk right past your business because they don't notice it. The sign should clearly indicate what your business is and should also include any recognizable logos associated with your business. You may also have the company motto on it. Failure to post the hours that the business is open is another problem. Interested parties are likely to feel awkward just trying out the door. Make it clear whether you're open or not.
Build an Outdoor Space
If you can get customers to start shopping before they even step foot into the door, then you may have a greater possibility of making a sale. Setting up a few tables of products allows potential customers to see what you have to offer. Of course, you will likely need to have someone stand outside to keep an eye on the items. When you are in the food-services industry, consider having a few tables outside, especially when the weather is nice.
Stay Clean
Keeping garbage and clutter away from the front of your business may seem difficult, especially if you are in close proximity to the road. However, people walking by will likely judge your business from the outside even if doing so isn't fair. The pile of garbage sitting in front might be from a group of people who walked by earlier, but that doesn't mean customers will know the source. They may just assume that it's from your company.
Choose the Right Window Display
While putting your most valuable products in the window can have negative effects, you do want the pieces displayed there to be eye-catching. Think about what the members of your target audience are most likely to purchase. Consider putting those items in the window display. Crafting the right window display can convince people to come and take a look at the other items that you have to offer.
Say What's New
Chances are, you probably have some people who walk by your shop all of the time. They may pass it on their way to and from work each day, but that doesn't mean they always stop in. Some people don't bother going into the same store on a regular basis because they don't think they will see anything new. When you have new products and services, make sure it is clear through the signage on your shop.
The people walking by right now could turn into customers. You just must use the right strategies.