Opening your own store with a premises for customers to visit can be a hugely rewarding business move. Regardless of what you sell or who your target market is, you will need to make the store environment as welcoming and inviting as possible to attract the kind of people who will make purchases. If you have never designed a store before, you may be at a loss as to where you should begin.

Here are a few effective ways you can create a welcoming atmosphere in your store.

Branding

To make sure that you attract the right market, you will need to use clear branding from the outside of your store and throughout. Your business will need a recognizable and appealing brand identity that speaks to its target demographic and accurately conveys what it has to offer.

Decorate the front of your store so that it is obvious from the outside what your business provides. Think about what would be both eye-catching and appropriate for your brand.

Music

What your customers hear as they walk through your doors should be an extension of the brand identity of your business. However, there can be legal complications if you play music without the proper permissions. If you are unsure, check out this guide for music business licensing. It’s important to be cautious when playing music in a public setting, especially as a business.

Avoid penalties by making sure to stick to the licensing rules and make sure to choose a soundtrack that is consistent with your brand image. For example, it wouldn’t make sense to play heavy metal in a store aimed at young children and their parents.

Lighting

Clever use of lighting in your store will make a huge difference in how welcome your customers feel. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to good lighting. It all depends on the nature of your business and the layout of your premises. In some cases, a dark and mysterious atmosphere with lower lighting can be incredibly effective at attracting the target market. In contrast, other types of business might find more success with brightness and clarity.

Consider the color, intensity, and angles of your light sources to create the desired mood.

Flow

To one extent or another, you will have control over the flow of the space in your store. This might mean knocking down walls or erecting large shelves to direct movement throughout the space. How do you want customers to enter and exit? What do you want their journey through the store to feel like? Flow and movement play a surprisingly important role when it comes to creating an atmosphere.

Some businesses prefer wide open spaces, while others make use of corners and hidden areas.

Comfort

It is all about making your customers feel comfortable and willing to spend longer in your store. Think about the many ways you can achieve this, perhaps through providing ample seating or making it easy to find what they are looking for. The trick to creating the ideal atmosphere is to put yourself in your customers’ shoes.