Every business has an image. Your image is the mental picture your customers and potential customers have of your business. It is a combination of the impressions you make when you answer the telephone, when someone visits your business location, when others talk about your business and when people see or hear your advertising.
Your image may be positive, negative or neutral. A good image will bring new customers to your business and will keep them coming back to do business with you again and again. Here are some steps you can take to improve your image.

On the phone
For many small businesses, the telephone plays an important role in establishing first-time contacts and making good first impressions. Here are some simple, but proven techniques.
Put a smile in your voice and answer the phone promptly - no later than the third ring.
Identify your business and use your name like this - "Westside Sign Shop, this is Pat."
Train everyone who answers the phone to be friendly and to know the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Avoid putting callers on hold. When necessary, ask their permission and don't keep them on hold long.

Your outside impressions
Your location must be accessible, convenient and safe.
Your signs should be simple, easy to read, big and bright. Avoid confusing type styles and colors with little contrast.
Your street number should be easily seen from the street.
You should post your "open for business" hours and your phone number.
You should maintain your building well. Eliminate peeling paint, broken or cracked glass, cluttered windows or unattractive outside storage areas.
Parking should be free and plentiful with good lighting for nighttime hours.
Vehicles, field employees and other off-premise equipment should promote your image consistently.

Your inside impressions
When your advertising works and a new potential customer comes to your business, you will want to reinforce your positive image. Here are some inside suggestions.
First, and foremost - no matter what business you are in - your interior must be clean and uncluttered. There is no acceptable excuse for clutter and filth.
Remember, most customers don't just see your business, they smell and hear it, too. Eliminate loud music and correct offensive odors.
Employees need to receive regular training on how to approach and serve customers effectively. Communication skills are important. I'm not sure if you can teach "being friendly and outgoing," but I know you can hire it. Keep this in mind when you select staff.
The best communicators have ready smiles, look you in the eye, use good grammar and enjoy meeting new people.
In addition, employees need product knowledge and training to serve customers effectively.
Each employee should be well-groomed and easily identifiable as a member of your business staff. Name tags or uniforms are good ideas.
Your restrooms should be accessible and spotless.
You should keep any visible office or storage areas organized and orderly. (This is good management practice even if the areas aren't visible.)
Other interior tips include good lighting, pleasant decor and good, professional-looking signs.
There is no rocket science involved in creating a good image. With a little attention to details you can add luster to your image and make your business shine.