How to Let Visitors Know They're Welcomed into Your Business

Has there ever been a business you wanted to visit but felt too intimidated to go into? Maybe it appeared too posh, maybe it looked a little too run down, or maybe you just weren’t sure what the business was to even begin with. While a business can’t attract every single person, as it’s not possible, it’s really about attracting the type of visitors that they want to attract, so their target audience is their dream customer. While it’s easier to get a person to look at your social media or your business since there isn’t an intimidation factor, it’s not the same for a storefront. 

Whether it’s a restaurant, store, or even some type of service, it’s important to allow visitors to know they’re welcome, even if it’s random passersby. So, here is how to signal to customers and visitors alike that they’re welcome to your business. 

Have Clear Signage Outside

Whether you’re opening up a new business location or not, the sign matters so much. Sometimes, visitors won’t come into a business if they don’t know or don’t understand what it is; that lack of knowing can make them intimidated or make them totally disinterested. So, why not make it easy for customers to navigate your business by having some clear signage?

Basically, signs indicating where to find products, services, restrooms, and exits can eliminate confusion and frustration. But of course, you’re going to want to have them outside too, so people know what is it they’re about to come in. For example, if you’re running a restaurant, you want to make it obvious what it is, such as what theme, so they know what to expect. 

Make the Storefront Look Good

Cracked paint, bars on the windows, sunbleached signs, trash, old doors, and poor landscaping can all make a business look super unappealing and intimidating in the worst way possible. So, just fixing this up will immediately get customers and visitors, and since you did such a good job of making the exterior look good, it’s going to immediately make them feel welcome. 

It can really be as simple as looking into tree lopping, cleaning up trash and debris, repainting, removing old signage, and essentially anything that just cheapens the look of the business itself. No one is going to be interested in entering and showing patronage if they feel like they can’t trust it. 

Offer Refreshments

It’s not enough to get visitors to come in; they need to stay in. Offering a “hello’ or “thank you for stopping by” matters a lot, but you shouldn’t end it there either. Sometimes, just offering something small can be a big hit. A simple offer of coffee, tea, or water can make a big difference. It's not just about the beverage itself; it's about the gesture and the comfort it provides.

There Needs to Be Consistency

There always needs to be this kind and gentle feeling that your business offers. You don’t want to come off as cold, and you especially don’t want your employees to come off as cold and rude either- their actions can immediately destroy the reputation that your business is building up. So, keep things consistent when it comes to being respectful towards visitors.