As we know, the visual experience is key in all we do. Shoppers, especially millennials and gen z, are looking for a unique experience when they choose what store or restaurant to spend their money in. Their decision making is swift and without mercy. All it takes is a quick scroll through Google photos for them to decide if your business is worthy of their time or not.
While this process may not seem like a fair judge of your company's product, the reality is that the entire experience your storefront offers customers IS the product.
Luckily, you don’t need to be an interior designer to create that show-stopping storefront of your dreams. By following these four easy tips, your business will have what it takes to hook people online, bring them into your store, and give them an experience they can’t help but share with friends.
These tips are:
Install custom art
Add greenery + plants
Update window treatments
Replace lights with unique fixtures
1. Custom art
Photo of a mountain mural designed by Vetter Design Co. for The Yoga Lab
When it comes to the ambiance of your storefront, there’s no question that art can make or break a business. It can make a shop feel warm and inviting, or even dull and tacky. Art has the ability to visually represent your business while drawing the right type of customers in.
It is important to remember that the art you put on your walls personifies your business. It allows customers to see what type of business they are patronizing and it can help them connect to your product. For example, if an art display includes bright colors and bold shapes, then customers may expect an energetic and youth-focused product. If the art is more neutral and clean, then you will attract professional and high-end clientele. No matter what style you choose, make sure that your art is consistent and is curated to appeal to your ideal customer.
Now remember, people want an experience. Many types of art such as murals can be made interactive and allow customers to create memories in your business. This not only brings customers back to the space, but also provides an easy photo opportunity for them to share on social media.
Choosing the right artwork for your business can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. Instead of feeling stressed about making the perfect choice, focus on a few key questions that can guide your decision-making.
First, consider whether the artwork you're considering helps to further tell the story of your business. Does it fit in with the overall aesthetic and vibe you're going for? Next, think about whether the artwork is memorable. Will it stick in the minds of your customers long after they leave your establishment? Finally, consider whether the artwork is something that customers can interact with and even take photos with. By running through these simple questions, you can take the stress out of picking art for your business and make a choice that's both impactful and enjoyable for your customers.
If you’re still overwhelmed, simply reach out to a professional to take over the artistic direction for you.
2. Add greenery + plants to your shop
Photo of Rooted Studios Plant Nursery - Reach out for custom plant installations.
It’s no secret that nature has a powerful effect on humans. It is one of the most natural strategies for creating an atmosphere in your storefront that benefits customer’s mental health and shopping experience.
Placing plants in the right areas of your business will help create a peaceful environment for your customers to enjoy. One study showed that the effect plants have on the human experience can take shape in as little as 5-10 minutes. Participants in this study remarked that they felt more satisfied and happier than others in rooms without foliage. This increased comfort level can lead to customers spending more time in the business and being more likely to make purchases.
In addition to the potential boost to sales, plants can also add to the aesthetic appeal of a space. They serve as natural decor, bringing in pops of color and texture, and help create a more visually interesting environment.
Finally, having plants in a business can create great photo opportunities for customers. In today's social media-driven world, customers are always on the lookout for visually interesting or unique spaces to share on their social media platforms. By providing a visually interesting and natural backdrop, businesses can encourage customers to share photos of themselves or their purchases, which can help increase brand visibility and attract new customers.
Overall, incorporating plants into a business can have multiple benefits, from creating a more relaxing and inviting atmosphere, to adding to the overall aesthetic appeal, to providing great photo opportunities for customers.
3. Custom Window Treatments
Photo of The Well Dressed Window - Reach out for custom window treatments.
Window treatments are not just for homes. They can also be used in commercial spaces to create a more inviting and productive environment for customers!
Most importantly, custom commercial window shades ensure optimal use of daylight in a storefront. This means that your customers will be able to enjoy the most amount of natural sunlight possible, leading to a happy and positive shopping experience.
Quality shades allow you to control your customer’s sensory experience in the storefront. In stores, it’s hard to shop when you can’t see what you’re looking at. Commercial window shades allow you to eliminate glare by controlling how much sunlight falls into your space. This light control also allows you to oversee the natural heat generated by the sun and keep your business at the desired temperature.
In addition to these important functional qualities, window shades also improve aesthetics. Your brand’s style can be complimented by the type of treatment you choose to decorate your windows with.
Window treatments are a subtle way to tie together the design elements of a space and create a more cohesive atmosphere. By choosing high-quality materials and designs, your business can create a consistent look and feel throughout your storefront, conveying a sense of professionalism and attention to detail. This attention to details adds a touch of luxury to a space. The right window treatments can create an upscale and sophisticated ambiance, signaling to customers that your business is of high quality and worth their time and money.
Overall, by investing in high-quality window treatments, businesses can create a cohesive and polished atmosphere, while simultaneously taking care of important functions such as light and temperature.
4. Modern Light Fixtures
While natural sunlight is important, artificial light still plays a huge role in bringing vibrancy to your shop. The brilliance of artificial light is that it creates visual stimulation – it draws people to the brightest point in a room, which means you can use it to accentuate specific products or experiences you don’t want customers to miss.
Besides their light performance, fixtures also offer a unique opportunity to make a statement about the personality of your business. The style of light you choose tells customers right away what type of vibe you offer. For example, maybe you're an artistic coffee shop that wants to create a moody lounge area with the use of some hanging exposed Edison bulb lights. Or are you a posh and sophisticated boutique? Try a modern chandelier.
No matter your style, there is a light fixture to compliment it. The best part is that lights are relatively easy to swap out. If you're looking to update your storefront experience with minimal effort, simply change the lights and watch your space transform.
Your storefront is one of the first impressions that customers get of your business, and it could be the difference between them making a purchase or leaving with their money still in their pocket.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your storefront is as appealing as possible to those who pass by. At the same time, you'll also be creating a destination spot for your local area that people can’t resist sharing online. So what are you waiting for? Implement these tips and watch your business soar!
Looking for help to take the next steps in making your storefront irresistible to customers? Reach out and let's do a deep dive into what your business visually needs.
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