If you run a store or a business with a physical premises that you want to use to attract customers, it can be hard to know what exactly you should do to make sure that it’s the sort of building that people want to go inside.

Here are a few tips that might just help you attract a few more customers.

Keep The Doors Open

First and foremost, you need to make sure that the doors are open. Huge department stores can get away with keeping them closed, but they already have a client base. If you want to attract people in to browse and to create new customers, you need to make sure that the doors are open – just make sure there’s nothing propping them open which might end up being a tripping hazard. It might be a little cool in the winter and warm during the summer as a result but it’ll be worth it for the extra footfall.

Be Careful With Security

Not absolutely everyone has security but if your business does, then you need to make sure that they don’t stand outside the store looking too threatening – although this might add to the sense of safeness and security and lower the loss you’re making from thefts and shoplifting, it might discourage people from coming in who just want to casually browse. Having visible security will make your store seem glamorous and highbrow – and if that’s what you want to go for, that’s great – but if you think it might scare off some of the people that you want to attract, maybe rethink it.

Revamp The Outside

Take a long hard look at the outside of your store and consider whether or not it needs to be changed and upgraded. If the paint is discoloured or the sign is starting to look a little sad and old, it could be time to get a new frontage. Although it can be expensive to do so, it can also be very satisfying to talk to a sign company and help to create what exactly you want from the front of your store – get those creative juices flowing (and make sure you don’t use Comic Sans as the font!).

Make Sure It’s Obvious What Your Store Is

One thing is absolutely certain: if people don’t know what your business is, they won’t come in. If you want to add an air of mystery that’s great, but you need to remember that people whose interest might be piqued by a display of books or shoes in the window won’t be coming in. Use displays and window dressing to attract customers, and make sure it’s obvious what you do the second possible customers see your store.

Keep It Light and Bright

Finally, you need to keep your premises bright, light and lively. Play soft music, keep the lights on – but not dazzling and white – and make sure that it’s inviting to come into. You should also focus on yourself – keep smiling as much as you possibly can.

The Pros & Cons Of Buying A Business Premises

For many small business owners, the opportunity of buying a commercial premises is a sure sign of success. Certainly, there are many advantages – which we will look at in just a minute – but there are also some issues that you should be aware of before you malinvest your money.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of buying a commercial property for your business and ensure you make the best possible decision.

The benefits

When you consider your assets, the people you employ to run your business are undoubtedly the best – but if you have a property, it comes a close second. Once you own premises, you have open doors to all kinds of things, from developing a secondary income from renting out spare space, through to borrowing more money for investment with your equity. Another advantage is the enormous capital growth potential. If you buy premises in an up and coming area, commercial property prices will almost always go up, and you will reap the rewards without lifting a single finger.

There are no landlord issues to worry about, either – you are completely free to develop the property as you see fit. There are tax advantages, too, as you will get relief on all interest payments, as well as depreciation of fixtures and fittings. Ultimately, however, owning premises for your business is an excellent way to prove to your customers that you are a success, and offers you a position at the top of your industry and location.

The problems

That said, there’s a lot to consider before you invest any money in buying a property. Obviously, business premises don’t come cheap, and any lender will want to see a large deposit of anything from 10-20 percent to even talk to you about it. There are other costs to consider, too. You’ll need to hire a structural engineering firm to check things over, pay for decor and new fixtures and fittings, and the insurance costs can be sky high, too, especially if your company is the only one ‘resident’ in the building.

Because there is no landlord to bail you out when things go wrong, you will also be responsible for the entire upkeep of the property. That means there needs to be a huge focus on health and safety, and everything from minor repairs to cleaning costs needs to be met. And, it’s also worth pointing out that banks won’t care how successful you have been in the past. In many cases, particularly for first-time commercial property buyer, they will insist you give them a personal guarantee, which is usually a big personal asset such as your family home.

Should you do it?

Bearing in mind that owning a commercial property is often more expensive than leasing one, it’s important to do the maths. If you can create extra income streams to support your costs, however, it’s very much achievable. And if you have solid plans for rapid growth, your own business premises can be the perfect setting to achieve it. As with anything else in life, as long as you plan ahead and base your decision on your head, not your heart, you will come to a safe and sensible conclusion. Good luck!