What do customers think about your business while driving towards your location?
If you answered “they haven’t formed an opinion yet,” you’re wrong.
People create first impressions in 7 seconds. When driving to a place of business, that first impression starts when the customer enters your parking lot.
The facts:
Parking lots with cracked pavement, faded striping, and worn-out lines send a very clear message. That message is one of neglect. However, a parking lot with professionally applied striping tells a story of pride before your customers even enter the business.
In this article we cover:
- The importance of first impressions
- How curb appeal affects customer psychology
- Why parking lot striping services benefit your business
- Simple ways to improve your parking lot’s appearance
Business owners often forget this, but your parking lot is the first impression your business makes.
Think about it. Customers see your parking lot before they see your products. They see the parking lot before they talk to your employees. Before they experience your customer service… They see the parking lot.
According to the National Association of REALTORS, 99% of REALTORS say curb appeal is important when selling a home. We can safely extend that same statistic to any customer visiting a commercial property.
The exterior of your property makes people make judgments about your business.
And when those judgments are based on cracked, faded parking lots, business owners lose.
That’s why professional parking lot striping services are so important. When your parking lot has crisp, visible lines from quality line striping services, like at Asphalt Coatings Company, it instantly improves your property’s curb appeal.
Makes sense, right? Let’s dive into the psychology behind it.
How First Impressions Impact Your Customers’ Behavior
If you want customers to view your business favorably, you need to win the curb appeal battle.
Customers make snap judgments about your parking lot. And if your parking lot has faded lines, poor traffic flow, and cracked pavement… They will assume your business inside is the same.
Messy.
Disorganized.
Indifferent to details.
Studies show potential home buyers will only spend 13 minutes shopping for a new home. If they don’t like the curb appeal, they move on to the next house.
Your parking lot isn’t much different.
You have a few seconds to impress your customers before they walk through your front door. If your parking lot gives off feelings of neglect, your customers will walk into your business with those exact same expectations.
Give your business the best chance of success by applying fresh parking lot striping.
Simple concept, right? Your parking lot makes customers feel a certain way. So, let’s discuss why.
Psychological Effects of Curb Appeal
Our brains are wired to make split-second judgments.
In fact, it takes less than a second for the brain to start analyzing trustworthiness and competence. Researchers at Princeton University discovered people form these lasting impressions in one-tenth of a second.
These aren’t logical conclusions people come to. Your brain automatically detects traits like these and makes snap judgments.
Here’s the cool part…
Research published by the Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics found that homes with high curb appeal could charge anywhere from 3-7% more in sales price. During recessions, that number rose to 14%. That’s right, curb appeal directly affects how people perceive value.
What happens when customers drive up to a well-manicured parking lot?
They don’t know it, but your property’s visual appearance makes your customers assume:
- The business must be successful
- The products or services are high-quality
- The employees care about details
Clean parking lots with clearly defined lanes and markers create positive, subconscious affirmations in customers’ minds.
Dirty parking lots do the opposite.
Parking Lot Striping Services Impact Your Business
When parking lot lines fade, it creates a slippery slope of problems.
Here are the most common issues…
- Haphazard traffic flow
- Lost parking space efficiency
- Safety concerns
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
When parking lots lack clearly defined lines, your business’s reputation takes flight. Parking lot wandering is a frustrating experience. Every customer that can’t find a parking spot or nearly hits another car builds a negative association with your business.
Simple parking lot striping services prevent those problems from occurring.
When your parking lot has visible lines, it creates organization and structure. Not only does your parking lot look better, but it also operates more efficiently.
Parking lots with faded lines look awful. But they also communicate your business doesn’t care about their property.
Markings don’t just aid with traffic flow and maximizing space. They serve as a visual confirmation of safety compliance.
- ADA accessible spaces have to be properly marked
- Fire lanes need to be clearly identified
- Loading zones should be properly defined
Failure to keep these areas clearly marked can cause you to fail a safety inspection. By having these areas striped professionally and visibly, you show you take safety seriously.
Low-Cost Ways to Upgrade Your Parking Lot
Looking to increase curb appeal? Start with your parking lot.
Here are three things you can do right now to improve your parking lot’s appearance:
- Line striping – There is no quicker way to increase your parking lots appearance than with fresh line striping.
- Directional arrows – Ensure your traffic flows where it needs to go.
- Handicap spaces – Make sure your handicap spaces are properly marked.
- Fire lanes – Ensure fire lanes are clearly marked.
Each of these items is inexpensive and easy to maintain.
The best way to identify what your customers are seeing is to walk through your parking lot.
Park at your entrance as if you were a customer. What’s the first thing you see? Drive through your parking lot and pay attention to the natural traffic flow. Where do your lines need to be refreshed? Are there any areas that cause you confusion? Make a note of these problem areas.
By understanding what your customers experience when they first pull into your parking lot, you can identify what areas need the most attention.
Also, develop a regular maintenance schedule. Having your parking lot professionally striped before your lines fade will keep your property looking fresh year-round. If you wait until your parking lot is an eyesore, it’s going to cost you more money to restore your parking lot back to its former glory.
Your Business Has a Secret Weapon
Most companies throw their money into online advertising and social media campaigns.
Here’s the problem…
Advertising drives customers to your physical locations. Once they arrive, your parking lot either complements your advertisements or ruins it.
Professional parking lot striping services cost a small fraction of most marketing budgets. But the benefits that clear and visible striping provides will impact every customer that sets foot on your property.
Businesses that understand this benefit have a secret weapon. While other companies are throwing money at digital advertisements, you can build your brand from the ground up.
Wrapping Things Up
People form opinions about you in 7 seconds.
If your business sells a product or service, your customers judge you before they step foot in your place of business.
Your parking lot is the first thing they see. Do your parking lot give off feelings of competency and organization? Or does your parking lot feel lazy and indifferent?
Professional parking lot striping services help you check all of the boxes we mentioned above. Increase safety, efficiency, and you’ll even check ADA compliance all while increasing curb appeal.
Investing in your parking lot is minimal compared to the benefits you’ll receive from increased customer perception.
Parking lot tips to remember:
- Customers judge you in 7 seconds
- Curb appeal directly affects how they perceive value
- Parking lot cleanliness and organization is formed before they enter your business
- Preventative maintenance is always better than waiting for things to fade away
Your parking lot is a blank canvas. A marketing tool your business is likely not using to its full advantage.
Wise businesses capitalize on this opportunity to appeal to customers before they walk through the door.
