If you own a retail shop, you’ve probably noticed that getting people to come in the door isn’t as simple as hanging up an open sign and unlocking the door. Attracting more foot traffic to your storefront requires continuous effort and thought.
When you’re looking for ways to increase the foot traffic to your store, here are some things to think about:
Looks Matter
It’s easy to overlook little things like dingy paint, untidy displays, and dirty windows when you see your storefront every day. Familiarity leads to blindness, and you don’t even see the things that turn off pedestrians and potential customers.
Make a conscious effort to look at your storefront with fresh eyes.
To keep your facade as attractive as possible, consider adopting a monthly checklist like this that you review during the first week of the month.
- Is there any chipped or peeling paint?
- Are there any stains on the sidewalk or surfaces outside your door?
- Is your door in good condition?
- Are there any faded or unattractive signs hanging?
- Are all the lights working?
- Are the windows clean and in good condition?
- If you were seeing this storefront for the first time, what would your impression be?
Using professional window washing services, having a handyman to touch up paint and change light bulbs, and using specialists to create seasonal window displays can really help you stay fresh and attractive.
Invite People Inside
As people stroll by your storefront, they need something to catch their eye if they’re going to actually come inside.
Standing out is great, but if you really want to start increasing your foot traffic, take some action to invite passersby in the door. Things like sidewalk chalk, sandwich boards, and even just leaving your door open have been proven to increase the number of people stopping in.
The whole idea is to break past a person’s autopilot and get their attention.
Most people walking through a shopping center or along a sidewalk aren’t fully engaged in their surroundings. They’re thinking about where they’re going, talking to their friends, or scrolling on their phone. The stores and window displays that are right in front of their eyes might as well be invisible.
Use colors, lights, and objects that break up line of sight to draw the eye to your door.
Reach Out With Advertising
If you’ve had a physical storefront for any length of time, you know that getting new people to visit is one of the hardest things you have to do.
Break the ice first with your advertising – people are far more likely to come inside your store if they already recognize your brand name and feel like they know a little bit about you.
Make sure that your marketing reflects your quality.
The do-it-yourself approach is fine if you’ve got some basic marketing skills already, but if you’re inexperienced or have trouble with technology, work with a professional to run quality ads within a reasonable budget. You don’t necessarily need thousands of dollars to create a successful campaign, and getting expert help allows you to do more with less money.
Just like your storefront, the way your advertising looks is a reflection on the quality of your business.
Invest in the right places and you’ll quickly pay for your ads with new customers.
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