4 Things Customers Look for When Visiting Your Business

As the owner of a small business, you need to think like your customers. Doing so will help you better appeal to the consumers that keep you in business and allow you to grow your company. One important element to consider from the customer’s point of view is what they look for when they walk in the door. What are they truly seeking out and what will keep them shopping with you versus heading to a competitor? If you don’t know what you need to have featured in your shop or what you should be improving upon, take a look at some of these key areas.

Customer Service

Customers are always looking for good customer service. It is even better when they feel they have received extraordinarily good service. For example, speaking to non-native English speakers in their native language would be considered service that goes above and beyond. This means you should put substantial effort into training your employees to provide good customer service. Do this by reinforcing your company’s values at every opportunity and hiring personable employees.

Atmosphere

Customers like to shop at businesses that have great atmosphere. For example, you can have the radio on in the background, just not at an overpowering volume. Lighting can be used to increase atmosphere, as well as the colors used and the displays shown. Giving your business character makes it stand out and invites your customers to be comfortable. A strong atmosphere does play a role in a customer’s decision to make a purchase, after all.

Services That They Actually Need

If your business caters to a specific type of customer, you should have the products they want in stock. This also applies if your business provides a service. Simply having what your customers want will help distinguish you from the competition and win loyal fans. Put simply, if you don’t have what your customers are looking for, they will go elsewhere. You can learn what they want by keeping track of what customers ask for and buy.

Cleanliness

This will sound pretty basic, but your customers want to come into a business that is clean. Trash on the floor, merchandise that is not neat and orderly, foggy or smudged windows, worn carpet and dirt or grime appear unsavory and unprofessional. Customers will either be turned away or not pleased with their experience. Make sure any professional cleaning company you hire and your employees know they need to keep the business at a certain standard of cleanliness.

Appealing to your customers on-premises always boils down to knowing your audience. If you service primarily senior customers, your business should go above and beyond to be handicap accessible, for example. Little details like this will impress customers and make them not want to shop anywhere else.

Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA. She enjoys kayaking and reading books by the lake. To help your business maintain a standard of cleanliness, Hannah recommends A-Plus Window Cleaning.