A customer’s first impression of your business is everything. It will shape their early understanding of who you are and the type of work you do, perhaps making or breaking your sale. Studies have proven people form an impression within a mere 7 seconds of an interaction. That is why it is so important for businesses to appeal to customers on all fronts of their business, especially with their landscaping. The exterior of your building is the first thing people will see. Make sure it is inviting and says good things about your company. Here’s why:
It says a lot about who you are and your quality of work.
You wouldn’t want your employees looking ungroomed and messy, so you can’t have your landscaping looking that way either. Things like unruly grass, weeds, and lifeless flowers can be a serious red flag to customers. If your landscaping is dead, eventually your business might follow. Show customers you are a competent professional who takes pride in your work by delivering your best on every aspect of your business. Besides showing your work capabilities, landscaping can also tell people about your brand. For example, if you are a fun children’s store, consider adding lots of colorful and fun flowers to your doorstep. If you are a law firm, plant some hedges and keep them evenly trim to portray your clean-cut image and sharp tactics.
It helps customers choose you over the competition.
It can be extremely hard in today’s world to know one business from the other. If the store down the road looks better from the outside, there is a good chance that customers will never make it to the inside of your store. Most of the time, people either go where they know or wherever appeals to them the most. Good landscaping can give you a more valuable position in your local industry and place you above the competition, simply because you look better and more inviting.
Don’t let your competition steal your business simply based off of a first impression. Show customers you care about your business and that you are better than your competitors.
You will win over new customers.
Maintaining a pleasant storefront is one of the easiest ways to win over new customers, simply by showing you welcome their business. This concept holds especially true in large, touristy cities where people are unfamiliar with business’ reputations. Many newcomers don’t know where they are going but they know the kind of business they are looking for. If you can make your business fit the image in their mind, meeting their need to feel welcomed, you will be rewarded with their business. The same holds true for places like salons and boutiques, which largely sell based on aesthetic appeal. Truly, good landscaping is an investment in new customer acquisition. The costs associated with the initial development and upkeep will be repaid (and then some) by the profit you receive by gaining a new customer. Once you have the customer in your store, then you can really win them over with whatever you’re selling and turn them into a repeat customer, generating future returns on your investment.
It will increase your property’s value.
Aside from the sales implications of landscaping, it can also affect the value of your property. Undoubtedly, good landscaping can generate higher resale prices while poor landscaping can hurt you. Trees are a sought-after property booster, but only if they are in a healthy condition and far enough away from the building. Otherwise, trees that are uprooted, dying, too big or too close for comfort are a serious deterrent for buyers. Other landscaping considerations include native plants, prickly bushes, weeds, etc. So use your best judgment before making any serious changes to your curb appeal and always consider the value buyers will see later.
It will impact your employees.
Another way good landscaping can affect your business is that it can create a better work environment for employees. According to the Experimental Psychology journal, purchasing landscaping can be an investment in your workers, as it will increase their quality of life and productivity. The study conducted proved that work environments that incorporate nature into their space are perceived as less stressful because landscaping can have positive, mood-boosting effects on employees. The happier your employees are, the more productive they are going to be on the job.
All in all, your landscaping makes a memorable difference.
Any homeowner likes to think of the outside of their home as an extension of the inside. The same goes for businesses. You want people to feel welcome and happy when they arrive at your front door. Proper landscaping will send the message that you are friendly, competent, and pay attention to the smallest details. Believe it or not, people aren’t entirely consumed by their phones to stop and smell the roses every now and then. So take those short 7 seconds you have to make a first impression and make it a positive, memorable one that will help your business succeed.
