Your shop front is one of the most important forms of advertising for your business, so in order to attract customers it’s important you put the time and effort into making it look appealing. How often do you see people walk past a store, stop and go in because they are intrigued by what is in the shop window? Attracting customers off the street is a great way to improve your business and secure more income, and here we look at four easy ways:

Chalk Boards and Metal Signs

Let’s start small – chalk boards and metal signs are often placed outside shops in order to advertise special deals and unique selling points. However, some shop owners have gone a step further by started decorating their chalk boards with pictures, poems, or even clever jokes that show people their personalities. There are even blog posts and news articles dedicated to some of the best chalk board advertisements across the UK, so when decorating yours try and come up with something that will make people take notice. Seasonal events such as the beginning of spring, Christmas and Halloween are also great opportunities to get creative and design something that shows people you are celebrating too, so make sure you make the most out of them!

Shop Signs and Window Decals

The name of your store is something that you probably thought long and hard about, so make sure you give it the esteem it deserves by having it prominently displayed on a good quality sign. These days there are literally hundreds of options to choose from when it comes to the style of your store sign, so look at with numerous ideas before picking the one that is right for you. You can also add a range of decals to the windows of your store to advertise special offers, or just to make them more visually appealing. The great thing about window decals is that they are often quite cheap, and as they are easy to apply and remove you can change them as often as you like! Just make sure that your shop insurance covers window decals otherwise if they are damaged you may have to pay to replace them.

Window Dressing

Window dressing is so influential on customers these days that some people even study the subject, so don’t underestimate the importance of displaying your products properly in your shop window. Whether you specialise in clothes, beauty products, hardware, or even food and drink, there are a myriad of ways that you can dress your store front. The important thing to remember here is that you want your store front to be eye-catching and completely different to your competitors. Some of the largest department stores in the UK often spend weeks planning their window dressing, as well as thousands of pounds on props and installations. While this may not be possible for you, you can still emulate the best in the business by putting a reasonable amount of time and money aside for your window dressing.

Lighting and Little Extras

After spending so much time and effort making your shop front look enticing the last thing you want is for customers not to see it! Lighting is of the utmost importance when it comes to window dressing, and if used well can pull focus onto the most prominent items in your shop window. It may therefore be an idea to install three or four lights in your shop front which can be easily moved and have adjustable brightness options. Your lights can also be left on even when you store is closed, as it means people will notice your shop in the evenings and make a mental note to visit when you are open. Little extras such as unique open or closed signs, potted plants and even window boxes can also make your shop look even more enticing and cared for, showing your customers that they can expect good quality products and an enjoyable shopping experience from your business.

Your shop front should be seen as a blank canvas, ready to be adapted and built upon in order to reflect your business’s specialities and entice customers to visit. With so many ways to personalise your shop front, you are sure to find something that is right for you and will make your shop stand out from all the rest!

Photo by Chris Waits / CC BY 2.0