A business with excellent curb appeal is going to draw customers inside, command respect and show competitors that they need to take a company seriously, but unfortunately, too many business owners don’t take this into consideration.
The fact of the matter is that a customer or competitor will form their first impression of a business by looking at the the outside – the business premises. But, if the view from the street isn’t one that suggests high quality, reliability or attention to detail, the customer will look elsewhere, and the competitor won’t take the business seriously. Here’s how to stop that happening…
First, start with the basics. Does the building look structurally sound? If there are any signs of cracks or sacking, address it using the services of a surveyor or engineer. Once the ‘shell’ of the premises is in good repair, ensure the windows are sparkling before moving on to touch up paint work using appropriate products. Hire a professional painter to do this work: they’ll have the necessary skills to do a good job, and access to reliable suppliers stocking weather-resistant paint amongst other special formulations.
Also, consider hiring a team of professionals to do some work to smarten up wooden window frames and doors. An opaque finish can be used to add a coating to cladding and exterior joinery that doesn’t crack or peel, meaning that a business premises will stand up to the outside elements without looking tired or worn.
Then, give the signage a proper review. If the current signage isn’t in plain view or isn’t very easy to read, enlist the help of a Graphic Designer to create a new sign, flag or other ‘label’ to indicate that the building is a business premises. It needs to be eye catching, memorable and in line with your marketing efforts, and should be made from a high quality material that is able to withstand wind, rain and other challenging weather conditions.
In addition, keep landscaping, greenery and grass areas well maintained. A gardener can smarten up the outside of a business premises so that weeds don’t run wild, and a landscaper’s services can be called upon to ensure that the most is being made of the premises’ size and layout. For instance, landscapers will keep trees and bushes low to the ground to prevent small or single storey properties being dwarfed by its surrounding greenery.
Finally, don’t forget to consider your lighting. Illuminating the exterior of a businesses premises will add some curb appeal as well as strengthening security efforts. Use LED lighting to bring tower blocks to life and add small lamps either side of walkways or in doorways for extra safety. Solar lighting can be used to keep costs down and help the environment.
Ultimately, commercial properties are a bit like domestic dwellings; with a little bit of TLC, they’ll look attractive and give the suggestion that the inside is just as smart as the outside -a key consideration for any business.
