You know the saying new is always better? In this case freshening your business might just be what it needs to take it to the next level. And often a fresh start begins with a fresh new look. Here are a 7 ways to freshen up your business without spending tons of money.
1) Wash Your Windows
The rain, snow and slush of the winter months sure do make a mess of your windows. If you have a retail shop, you probably have a window washing company come by every few weeks. But in-between, your windows might get quite dirty. Increase the frequency of your service to keep your storefront looking great.
Some spaces don’t have professional window washers. Your employees function better with a little sunlight, especially during dreary winter months. Clean your windows or hire someone for the job. You’ll be surprised what a huge difference this does to the place.
2) Clear out Clearance Merchandise
There’s nothing worse that Christmas clearance merchandise at the end of January. Resolve to get rid of everything by January 15th, then remove anything that’s left from the store. Excess clearance racks just clutter your shop and give it a “discount” feel.
3) Fresh coat of paint
Painting your office or shop can be a major production; you have to move all the office equipment or merchandise and deal with the disturbance of painters. But the end-product is often worth the sacrifice. Nothing brightens up a space more than a fresh coat of paint. If it’s been more than three years since your last paint job, it’s probably time. And if your walls are the colors of the eighties (think mauve, aqua or peach), you’re way overdue.
4) Fresh signage
Are your signs drooping and sagging? Are they faded and worn? It might be time to look at a sign makeover. If you’re currently using paper or cardboard signs, consider switching to a vinyl banner or 3D letter sign. These materials hold up much better; they’ll last longer and look better, too. If you really want to go all the way you can even hire a signage company and get digital signage and move with the times. You’ll give your space a more modern feel and employees will be energised by this.
Go through your store or office and find all those temporary signs you made with a piece of paper and a ballpoint pen. It’s time to replace those with a more permanent sign.
5) Complete small repairs
How long has that “Door Broken—Please Use Other Door” sign been up? How about the restroom stall with the Out of Order sign on it? It’s time to go through your business and make repairs where necessary.
You might also spend a bit of time looking for issues you haven’t noticed yet. Is there a tear in your carpet or hole in your flooring? Are door knobs loose? Does moulding or trim need repair? Walk through your business with a critical eye and try to see it as a customer might.
6) Freshen up your logo
Lots of companies change their logos every decade or so. You don’t usually want to make a complete change—your logo is a major aspect of your company branding. But a little update is a good idea if it’s been more than 10 years since the last change.
7) Freshen up your website
When was the last time you did something new to your website? If it was built in 2003, it’s time to revamp. If your “website” is one page that lists your hours and contact info, you don’t really have a website. If your site has neon colors on it, has flash animation on the homepage, or has music that begins to play when the site opens, it’s time to update.
Find a designer and get some opinions about what needs to be done to make your website look amazing and modern. Hire a web developer if needed in order to have a fully-functional site.
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