Designing a Reception Area That Impresses Your Customers
13 Tips & Tricks You Can Implement This Week!
A reception area is an important part of your business for several reasons.
Firstly, it is often the first point of contact for potential customers and clients, so it sets the tone for their experience with the business. A well-designed and welcoming reception area can create a positive first impression and make people feel comfortable and at ease.
Secondly, the reception area can be used to showcase your brand and values. This can be done through the use of design elements, branding materials, and displays of products or services. This can help reinforce the business's identity and create a consistent experience for customers.
Thirdly, the reception area can be used as a workspace for employees. It can be a place for employees to meet and collaborate, as well as a place for visitors and customers to wait before their appointment. A functional and well-designed reception area can help improve the productivity and efficiency of the business.
13 tips to create a reception area that will impress your customers:
- Offer healthy refreshment options. Providing healthy refreshments, such as water, juices and snacks can make customers feel welcomed and comfortable. It can also provide a small gesture of hospitality that can help to create a positive impression.
- Choose a central location for your reception area. The reception area should be located in a convenient and easily accessible location, such as near the entrance of your office or building. This will make it easy for customers to find and will also provide a natural transition from the outside world to your business.
- Provide comfortable seating. The reception area should have comfortable and inviting seating, such as chairs or sofas, for customers to sit on while they wait. This will make the waiting experience more pleasant and will help to put clients at ease.
- Use the space efficiently. The reception area should be designed to maximise the use of space. This can be done by incorporating features such as built-in shelves or cabinets for storing materials, and using furniture that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
- Include a desk or counter for the receptionist. The reception area should have a desk or counter where the receptionist can sit and greet customers. This desk should be large enough to accommodate any necessary materials, such as a computer, phone, or paperwork, and should be positioned in a way that is easily visible and accessible to customers upon arrival.
- Add some greenery or other natural elements. Incorporating greenery, such as plants or flowers, into the reception area can add a touch of warmth and natural beauty. This can help to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere, which can be especially important for customers who are feeling anxious or stressed.
- Use appropriate lighting. An often overlooked thought in reception design is light. The lighting in the reception area should be adequate, but not too bright or harsh. Soft, indirect lighting can create a warm and inviting atmosphere, while also providing enough light for customers to read or fill out paperwork. The more natural light the better of course.
- Include artwork or other decorative elements. Adding artwork or other decorative elements to the reception area can help to create a visually appealing space. This can include paintings, sculptures, or other types of art, as well as decorative items such as vases or throw pillows.
- Keep the space clean and organised. The reception area should be kept clean and well-maintained at all times. This means regularly cleaning and dusting, as well as organising any clutter or unnecessary items. This can help to create a professional and polished appearance, which will be appreciated by customers.
- Provide information or entertainment. The reception area should also provide customers with something to do or read while they wait. This can include informational materials, such as brochures or pamphlets, or entertaining items, such as magazines or books. This can help to keep customers engaged and can also provide an opportunity to showcase your business and its services.
- Use technology wisely. Technology can be a useful tool in the reception area, but it should be used wisely. This can include using a computer or tablet to check in customers, or providing a TV or other screen for clients to watch while they wait. However, it's important to avoid overusing technology, as it can sometimes create distractions or interruptions.
- Ask for feedback. Solicit feedback from customers about their experience with your business and their meeting. This can provide valuable insights that can help you to improve the customer experience in the future, whilst showing your customers that you genuinely care about how they felt throughout the encounter.
- Be respectful of your customer's time. Start the meeting or appointment on time. We all know how it feels to wait in a reception area just long enough to start questioning if they care about you as a customer. Do all you can to have your schedule conducive to allow for timely appointment start and end times.
By implementing these tips, you can create a reception area that will impress your clients and make them feel welcomed and valued. A well-designed reception area can set the tone for the rest of the client's experience with your business, and can help to create a positive impression that will last long after the visit is over.
If you'd like to learn actionable steps to make your meetings and appointments productive when your customers do visit your business, check out our recent article below.