When choosing a location for the business you want to start, there are several things to consider, because location can be a very important factor in developing a company so that it runs well. Don't be fooled into buying or renting a place just because it's cheap. If the location is far from the customer, the cheap location can actually harm you.
Your business location will help you in three ways – get customers, build your brand, and maximize profits. First, your business must be located in a place with easy access. Second, your business location must make an impression on your customers. Finally, taking into account the previous two points, look for the best location at the lowest price. Let's dive deeper into why and how location affects these factors.
First, you need to define your brand clearly. what do you want people to think when they see your logo or someone mentions that they bought a product from you? Are they thinking of something new and trendy, older and elegant, feminine, strong, energetic, or mysterious? After considering this, what is your price range? If you are a cake shop, are you looking for a high-end customer who will pay a premium for a wedding cake or are you looking for a parent looking for a simple treat for a kid's birthday party? do you want to be seen as a luxury or an economical choice? Once you have defined a few adjectives associated with your brand, you can start thinking about what environment and avenues would suit your business.
When people visit different environments, they have different expectations for the types of products and services they will find. Think about where customers usually go to look for your product or related products, and see if that location is a good fit for your business.
In addition to considering physical office space, remember that if you intend to get customers online and serve them virtually, cut costs and put the business where you think best. If your business is online, perhaps having a comfortable office for partners and investors to meet makes more sense. Should you run a business from home but need to meet face-to-face with a client or two once a week? You don't have to go through the hassle of buying expensive space, you can rent an office by the hour in a co-working space to save money while still having access to the professional environment where you hold meetings.
If you're in a city that has a lot of foot traffic, make sure you're where your target audience is walking. Get their attention where they do their routine. This is very important if your product is brand new or not well known.
Businesses that rely on impulsive shoppers need to take advantage of the advantages of being somewhere where they get a lot of foot traffic.
But if you have a product or service that doesn't sell directly to individual customers, you probably shouldn't consider foot traffic.
If your budget is limited and you can't afford to rent a place on the main road, make sure your location is still convenient to reach. Keep the experience positive by opening your business in a place that is convenient for your customers.
This can be very useful for new businesses with minimal capital. If you have a product or service that can survive in a changing environment, gaining a spot in an up-and-coming environment could be to your advantage.
It's always important to know your business and find out what it needs to grow and thrive. Don't let location get in the way of your business. Take advantage of the location to increase the ability of your business to generate profits.