Have you ever considered opening your own storefront? You’re not alone! Plenty of small business owners dream of one day running their very own boutique or retail store, but they aren’t always sure how to get started. In this article, we’ll give you an inside look at the ways you can design your own storefront so that your customers are happy and you make more sales!
It All Starts With The Sign
When it comes to storefronts,
signage is key. And we’re not just talking about signs outside your business
that direct people inside though those are certainly important, too. No, we’re
referring to signs within your storefront itself: price signs, directional
signs, and product posters can all contribute to making sure that you don’t lose
customers. For example, having a variety of price points could help draw
shoppers in by encouraging them to compare different items and choose which
ones fit their budget best.
Signs are meant to attract your
eye
They're usually placed in highly visible places, often on busy streets or in public areas with high foot traffic. If you've ever walked by a storefront with an out-of-place or off-putting sign, you know how important it is for signs to attract and focus attention. If a store's interior design doesn't capture your interest, it might be tough to want to shop there. An eye-catching sign doesn't guarantee that customers will enter but poor signage is certain to drive potential customers away. Here are some tips for designing effective retail signage:
1. The first step in creating a good sign is determining what kind of message you want to convey. You'll need to determine whether you need directional signs (to direct shoppers toward particular products), information signs (to provide details about products), or directional/information signs (that combine both). Once you know what kind of message you need to convey, consider how best to use color, typography, images, and other design elements to make sure your message gets across clearly.
2. Make sure your sign can be read from where people are likely
to stand when they look at it typically about 25 feet away from any given
point of interest inside or outside of your business.
Lighting Makes a Difference
Lighting is one of those details that people rarely think about and that’s often because they don’t know how important it really is. The right lighting can make all of the difference in customer experience and even employee experience. Good natural light isn’t easy to come by, so you may have to spend extra money to ensure your store has an adequate amount (but it will be worth it in the end). And, no matter what kind of lighting you choose for your store, be sure to get quality fixtures. It may cost more upfront but will save you plenty over time because bright and clean-looking lights are less likely to burn out or break than cheaper ones.
Also, look into motion sensors as a way to keep energy costs down while making
sure you always have sufficient lighting when someone enters your store. If you
use LEDs, they’re also easier on your electric bill since their energy
consumption is lower than traditional fluorescent bulbs. As far as other
lighting options go: LEDs are still new technology, so if you're looking for
something classic and timeless look at using halogen bulbs instead. They give
off a warm glow similar to incandescent bulbs but use much less electricity.
Halogen lamps also tend to last longer than incandescent do.
It’s in the Details
Do you design a storefront? Then you’re probably aware of how important details are. You won’t get very far with them, but they do go a long way to making or breaking your business. No matter how flashy and grandiose your entrance may be, it won’t matter if it’s not accompanied by windows that attract consumers as they walk by, or if your shelves are disorganized and full of products that no one is interested in purchasing. The point is to make sure every last detail is taken care of, so don’t skip on even those small ones and stay focused on achieving an exceptional overall presentation. After all, you design a storefront; small mistakes could cost you big money down the road.
So remember to think about
every aspect of your store when creating its interior and exterior appearance.
A perfect example: Big box retailers know exactly what works for their stores
and why. Walmart used blue tiling throughout their stores because studies
showed shoppers spend more time browsing products when there is blue around
them (source). So if you want people to spend more time looking at your
merchandise, use blue tile in high-traffic areas! Take advantage of these
findings to help increase sales for your business. And remember, there are
always going to be people who will never shop at certain stores it doesn’t mean
they aren't potential customers but try changing things up until you find what
attracts everyone. Every little detail matters when designing a storefront!
Maximize Windows and Mirrors
The interior of your store can make all of your hard work designing beautiful window displays go to waste. Maximize windows and mirrors to allow natural light into your store. Natural light not only creates an appealing ambiance but also makes products seem brighter and more attractive. You’ll want to do your research, however. Too much natural light coming from windows may make customers feel uncomfortable in small retail stores, especially when they are shopping by themselves. Mirrors are one way to combat these feelings; well-placed mirrors create spaciousness and reflect light so you don’t need to use as many artificial lights. In addition, carefully consider which side of your building receives direct sunlight the south or west sides are typically best.
For smaller shops that
cannot receive direct sunlight through their front door, consider installing
skylights or roof lights on top of your building for added lighting. Check Out
Flooring: Walk barefoot around your business to see how comfortable it feels
underfoot. Floors with tile flooring or wood flooring often provide greater
comfort than carpeted floors because they absorb shock better. If you plan on
placing furniture in parts of your shop where people will be walking (such as a
coffee shop), then choose softer flooring such as carpet or area rugs instead
of tile or wood flooring to increase customer comfort during long periods of
standing or sitting down at tables.
Create An Inviting Entryway
The first thing people see when they walk into your store is your entry. Whether it’s a small shop or an online store, an inviting entryway can help you make those crucial first impressions. How you design and decorate your entrance might be completely different from one business to another, but most owners have some kind of decoration around their doorways to set their stores apart. Even if you have a brick-and-mortar store, creating ways for customers to easily find your door is important you don’t want them walking right past your front window display because it blends in with everything else on the street! Start brainstorming ways to make sure potential customers notice you from far away by adding bright colors or unique lighting fixtures.
If you're running an e-commerce store, there are plenty of other ways to catch shoppers' attention as soon as they enter your site. For example, you could create an eye-catching header image that pops up immediately after someone lands on your homepage. Or maybe even offer a special deal just for new visitors who land directly on that page! You could also use popups (but only when appropriate) or email automation software to encourage repeat visits from new customers.
Once you've got all these details figured out, it's time to
focus on what really matters: providing excellent customer service! No matter
what type of business you run, building a reputation for stellar customer
service will keep customers coming back for more. Learn more about how to
deliver great service at every stage in your buyer's journey. Note: This post
was updated on August 9th, 2017 based off of reader feedback. I originally
posted a version that contained steps 3 & 4 together rather than separating
them out into two separate sections like above. Thanks, everyone for pointing
that out! Let me know if anything needs updating again :)
Optimizing Your Layout for Sales
Opportunities
When designing your store, it’s important to determine what products will be your most profitable and why. For example, which items are in high demand and low supply? If you can, try selling these items first so that you maximize customer traffic while they’re still hot commodities. And avoid placing these items near entrances or exits; otherwise, shoppers may impulsively purchase them without properly considering their purchases. You should also consider ways to optimize your layout for sales opportunities by placing price tags.
where customers can see them easily and by focusing on
making a layout that is easy for customers to navigate through efficiently and
purchase without getting lost or confused about where things are located.
It’s important to remember that a good design doesn’t just happen overnight. It
takes time and effort to get everything right, but once you do, you’ll be able
to reap all of its benefits! Title: How Do I Optimize My Storefront Layout for
Sales Opportunities? This Retailer Knows Exactly What He's Doing - Here's How
He Does It. (And So Can You!)
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