First impressions really are everything. Believe it or not, before a customer even enters a store, they’ve already made up their mind about whether or not they’re likely to make a purchase, based almost entirely on their experience at the front. That’s why it’s important to ensure that the storefront and exterior impress your customers, clients and employees.

While it may not seem like a big deal, investing in a clean exterior environment is a simple way to display your operation’s dedication to cleanliness and attention to detail.

This summer, follow these guidelines to make sure your facility is as welcoming as possible.

Invest in routine maintenance

A solid reputation helps a business develop a steady stream of customers. The exterior appearance of a facility gives people a pretty clear idea of what the inside is like. Diligent maintenance – including washing, sweeping, trash removal and other tidying – ensures that your facility sends an inviting message and convey a sense of sanitation and professionalism customers are seeking.

Over time, maintenance impacts the performance of the building envelope. Neglecting regular exterior maintenance could eventually allow moisture to penetrate the exterior wall assembly, resulting in cracks, peeling paint, dry rot, mold growth and other problems. Regular exterior maintenance, especially if performed by a professional, can help prevent issues and any extra associated costs.

Obey the codes

All businesses in the U.S. are required to comply with a series of exterior building and property maintenance standards throughout the year to ensure the safety of employees and customers. For instance, all buildings are required to be in a safe and sanitary condition. In addition to water damage, poorly maintained exterior surfaces can lead to holes, filth and other conditions that invite pests and lead to structural deterioration, inconvenience to occupants and even health issues. Failure to meet maintenance and repair obligations can result in serious consequences for a business, such as municipal fines or customer complaints.

In light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, thorough sanitation of a building, both indoors and out, is critical. A facility with obvious exterior sanitation gives visitors the confidence that the inside of an establishment is also safe and noncontaminated. That commitment to sanitation must then also be carried inside. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “surfaces and objects in public places, such as shopping carts and point of sale keypads should be cleaned and disinfected before each use.”

Manage the right waste streams

A noticeable and immediate benefit every business can reap from keeping the exterior clean is using the proper waste containers. With the right trash receptacles, recycling bins and other site furnishings, a business looks substantially better. Encouraging customers to dispose of trash and recyclables properly helps keep the property looking neat and improves a business’s sustainability goals. A tidy exterior atmosphere, no matter the time of year, demonstrates to customers and passersby that the building is cared for and is receiving the attention it deserves.

As temperatures and store traffic both rise during the warmer months of the year, it’s especially important to keep up with routine building maintenance and overall sanitation. A little TLC goes a long way, and a good place to start is with those waste containers. Commercial Zone offers a wide range of site furnishings that help keep facilities clean and promote proper trash tossing and recycling – keeping establishments and customers happy and healthy.