Tips for Retail Business Owners

You never get a second chance to make a good first impression. That well-known saying really applies to more than just people. It applies to businesses as well. The first time a potential customer walks into your store, what will be their first impresssion? What image does your store portray?

Walk in the front door of your store, and take a close look around as if it were entering for the first time. Does the store have a bright, inviting look and feel? Are products organized and well displayed? Are products and shelves dust-free and clean? Does anything need a fresh coat of paint?

Even when your store is not open, there are still things to consider. Are your store's hours clearly posted on the front door so that anyone who comes when the business is closed will quickly know when they can return? And most importantly, keep the hours that you have posted. We have seen many small businesses who's signs say open at 9:00 a.m. and we're there at 9:30 and the place is closed. If that happens more than once, you may lose a customer forever.

Be sure to have an answer machine on the phone when the business is closed, and hours the store is open should be on the answer machine's message. Nothing is more frustrating to a potential customer than to call a place of business and just have the phone ring and ring, and not be able to get any information.

Finally, no matter how small your business, you need to advertise. Even if your store is located in a high traffic area, you can always reach out to capture new business from people who may not necessarily drive past your establishment, or who need to be reminded again of your presence and the products you offer.

Treat every customer as though he or she is making an expensive purchase, even if they are only buying a $1 candy bar, because if they are happy with their experience at your store, they will come back again and again, which over time can amount to a very large income from that one customer.