posted on July 26, 2010 12:41
By Kelly Larson
Main Street Architect
Michigan State Historic Preservation Office
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Imagine yourself on vacation and driving to wherever it is you’re going. You’re taking a new route from usual and you drive through this downtown.
Would this downtown leave an impression on you? If so, what kind of impression would it leave? Is this a place that would catch your attention? Is this a place you may try to arrange your schedule and try and stop in on your way back home? Is this a place that you’ll mention to friends and recommend visiting when you get back home? Is this a place you would think about moving? Living? Investing? Shopping?
And what about this business?
What kind of impression do you have on this business? Do you think you would find quality products there? Do you think you would experience good customer service? Do you think you would arrange your schedule to try and stop in and shop during your busy day? Do you think you would talk to your friends about this business?
Whatever your impressions are to both of those photos, you made a decision about all of those questions and many more within a split second and with no more information than what you see.
As much as everyone likes to say they don’t judge people (or places) based on looks, the truth is that we all do it all the time. A first impression, a lasting impression, is made on your downtown and your business within a split second based on nothing more than looks.
Do you think a visitor would want to stop and shop in your downtown if all they see are dirty sidewalks, dying trees, and poorly-maintained buildings? Do you think a new customer would think they are going to get good customer service or see quality merchandise if your storefront windows are dirty, light bulbs are broken, and awnings are torn? How can you expect anybody to give your downtown or your business the time of day if you haven’t done the same?
So take a look at your downtown or your business. What kind of impression does it make? Would you go out of your way to stop there? Would you mention or recommend the place to your friends? Is this a place you would think about moving? Living? Investing? Shopping?
It’s your choice what first impression you leave with your customer. By failing to improve the look of what the customer sees, you may be choosing to have them not give you a second thought.