How the Exterior of Your Business Can Attract New Customers

Have you ever driven by a business and decided not to go in simply because of how shabby it looked on the outside? Most of us have no doubt experienced that. Whether it’s a dirty-looking restaurant storefront, a disheveled retail window display or dead or dying landscaping, if the “curb appeal” of your business is below standard, you’ll have a hard time attracting new customers.

One of the best ways to clean up your storefront is by focusing first on the pavement, and that includes parking lots/parking spaces, sidewalks and pathways, and outside meeting or seating areas.

• Parking lots/parking spaces: Whether you have a large-scale parking lot or simply a few parking spaces in front of your business, keep those paved surfaces clean by sweeping or blowing off debris on a regular basis. Parking space paint/striping should be clearly visible – not only to add to your curb appeal, but also for the safety of your patrons. The pavement itself should be maintained by seal coating it on occasion, which also gives the surface a good-as-new appearance. And damaged or crumbling wheel stops should be repaired or replaced.
• Sidewalks and pathways: Just as important to the safety of your patrons as well-maintained parking areas are well-cared-for sidewalks and pathways. Make sure that cracks and uneven areas are repaired promptly so that no one trips or falls. Keep these areas swept clear of debris. And make sure that striping delineating pedestrian walkways is clearly visible.
• Outside meeting or seating areas: Whether your outside seating area is intended for customers – as is often the case with coffee shops or restaurants – or simply as an employee lunch/break area or a less formal place to meet with vendors or clients, outside seating areas should always be kept free of trash and debris, as well as providing a smooth, safe surface to prevent falls. Make sure that your seating area is in an attractive spot adjacent to your business, and consider adding some landscaping to improve the visual appeal and spruce it up a bit.

There are countless ways to attract new customers. But for brick-and-mortar businesses, sometimes it’s all about curb appeal! A great place to start is with your paved surfaces. To schedule routine maintenance or repair for your existing surfaces, or to find out how much it would cost to replace old pavement or add a new paved area adjacent to your business, contact a local paving contractor.