If you walk down any mall or business district, you’ll inevitably pass some stores that catch your eye and make you stop, while others compel you to keep walking. No, they’re not all offering better deals than the next. Instead, many say more with their buildings than what’s even happening behind their doors, as long as those doors remain closed. A clean, well-maintained exterior means the owner cares about little things. An unkempt one means who’s to say what else is ignored?
But the worst part is how many business owners fail to recognize this. Owners will throw thousands at inventory, staff, and marketing but let the grass out front grow into a jungle and allow the walkway to become caked with months of dust and dirt. Then, they wonder why foot traffic is down.
Why Curb Appeal Matters to Business
People have options. If a business is located on a street with other businesses or even just in a downtown area with shops, restaurants, and cafes, people are always assessing where they want to be. A well-maintained exterior suggests competence and a keen attention to detail. An unkempt one casts doubt before anyone even walks through the door.
Thus, it’s not just about looking good. A clean, well-manicured, organized outdoor space makes people feel safe and calm. It shows activity and professionalism inside. An unkempt hedge or a doorway filled with trash looks more like a closed business or one on the brink of closing rather than a thriving endeavor.
Overgrown Grass and Weeds Become Normal
One of the most obvious things neglected by business owners is an overgrown appearance when it comes to grass/greenery surrounding the building. Slowly but surely, this happens: you get so caught up inside the business that your sidewalk edges become a mess, and the grass next to your parking lot hasn’t been mowed in what feels like weeks.
While regular mowing does wonders, it’s truly the areas around the main lawn that go untouched that look bad. The edges where the grass meets the sidewalk, the spots near signs – essentially where grass in inevitable spaces used to be – are those that look bad. If they’re left untouched for too long, the whole property looks neglected.
Thus, it’s good to have the right tools for the job. Gas mowers are loud and obnoxious for customers; neglected batteries create maintenance issues that waste time before even starting a job. Many business owners are now transitioning to a battery powered lawn mower; quieter and easier to access for quick patches, they don’t leave your property smelling of fumes when clients want to enjoy themselves.
Ultimately, it’s not about perfection; it’s about consistency. A property people feel looks well-maintained every time they pass creates a trust factor in what’s inside. A place every other week looks terrible or well-kept because of inconsistent reviews fails to impress.
Clean Walkways and Doorways Feel Welcoming
People notice dirt more than you realize. A bunch of leaves on a door stoop, dirt blown against your building from a nearby dumpster – and maybe not dirt – but deterioration of your walkways creates a subtle idea that things are untamed. Even if everything else is gorgeous, an unkempt front gives people reason to pause.
This problem can be easier than most people think to fix – just make clearing your entrance part of your daily routine! A quick sweep/blow through in the AM sets up the entire day. If you’re landscaping near your door, trim that back so it doesn’t overlap onto entryways or constantly drop leaves every time someone enters or exits.
Power washing walkways/buildings a few times a year also makes a considerable difference. It’s amazing how old grime can build up so substantially that you don’t realize it until it’s gone (or until someone goes somewhere else). Customers see it; they just don’t mention it – they step over it and go inside somewhere else.
Seasonal Problems Get in the Way
Different seasons create different challenges. In spring, grass grows like weeds (literally). In summer, plants scorch if not watered consistently; in fall, leaves piles appear everywhere but on the lawn/tree – giant brown piles look neglected – and in winter, leaves and debris accumulate, becoming heavy in corners since there’s no final big clean for them anymore.
Business owners consistent look good – it’s not that they’re doing something magical – it’s that they’re looking outside and adjusting accordingly. In spring/summer, that looks like more frequent mowing and edging; in fall, that looks like preventing brown piles from accumulating like someone who’s abandoned ship.
Winter maintenance is crucial since plants are no longer growing but properties still collect dust, trash and debris. Keeping those areas clear show year-long efforts instead of seasonal ones.
Lighting and Visibility of Signs
If people cannot see your establishment properly from afar or up close, they won’t stop. Overgrown plants can make for poorly visible signs or dark spaces that render your area closed off even when it’s open for business and extended hours.
Trim back plants/trees so they do not obstruct identification; also make sure lights work properly – good lighting shows safety after dark for those still frequenting the area or for anyone prepping before hours.
Small Fixes Make All The Difference
You don’t need an expensive makeover to change the perception of your establishment outside. Small fixes here and there frequently add up fast! A new coat of paint, a litter-free (remember: empty trash all around), clean outdoor furniture or displays – all contribute to an excellent impression outside.
Even something as small as potted plants before your entrance can soften a space – but be careful; if you’re going to introduce something, be prepared to maintain it indefinitely. Don’t put potted plants outside if you’re not going to water them – you’ll just create more hassle than you’re worth!
Making Maintenance Realistic
The biggest obstacle to maintain a business exterior is not effort; it’s time. The person operating the establishment assumes one person doing too much work will ultimately undo their efforts.
Instead, realize that minimizing effort is key. With tools that require minimal investment, items conveniently located so you’re not searching for equipment every time you want to do something small outside – along with integrating small jobs into your daily business routine instead of separate ones – will help.
A business that looks well-maintained isn’t spending hours outside every week; it’s simply being consistent with attention to detail and small problems before they become massive ones. It’s more beneficial than sporadic big jobs then no attention.
Conclusion
Your exterior works for you or against you every day of its life. People make decisions on how good things are based on how things look from the street – and they happen quickly. If someone sees your place as clean and professional outside – even if everything is wrong inside – they’re more likely to enter than if everything looks unkempt from street view – even if everything is amazing inside.
The best part? Most efforts don’t require financial investments or comprehensive overhauls; instead, minor efforts regularly employed – and using effective tools for grass/lawn care – helps keep areas looking great without dominating someone’s day/time hour or work week. Consistent work beats big work every time!