Doors are more than just entrances to your business; They are invitations to buy.

Certainly there are some things in life that we all take for granted. No matter how necessary, we still underestimate the value and necessity of many of the things we use on a daily basis, often until we are forced to think about them by some situation or circumstance.

For example, I’m sure we’d all put housing at the top of our list of necessities of life, along with food and clothing. Shelter is initially defined simply as a “roof over head,” and gradually more and more components of that shelter become increasingly important as our hierarchy of needs evolves (similar to the hierarchy of needs theory of Abraham Maslow dating from 1943). Wikipedia defines shelter as a “typically basic structure or building that covers or provides protection.” And we all know that this supposed ‘structure or building’ has an inside and an outside.

As with a business, both physical and virtual (online), this interior and exterior must not only be functional (a means of storing, protecting, and displaying a product), but must also be used to its fullest, such as, to attract customers and draw their attention to the items or services that are displayed for sale, and so that they feel that they must enter to buy that item.

The exterior of a business has countless design possibilities, but it will always consist of at least one entrance, let’s face it, you have to get in there somehow! The appearance of the entrance area is an important part of the “curb appeal” of your business. This appeal is created through the design, quality and maintenance required to maintain the desired appearance.

Here are a few things to consider when making decisions about your business’s main entrance and overall curb appeal. Remember that first impressions do matter.

things to consider

• Shelter begins with protection from the elements, but it also includes safety and security. Security applies to your business at all times, meaning before, during and after business hours. During the business day, you want your customers to feel safe in the neighborhood your business is in, as well as inside your store (eg, safe from crime, injury, fire, etc.). Outside of business hours, you want to protect your business, inventory, paperwork, and reputation with a good security system. ADT has an online questionnaire that can give you an idea of ​​what to consider for your security needs based on a few basic criteria, ie company size; Number of employees; number of doors; and type of roof. Its solutions cover a wide range of security problems, including: theft; employee productivity; employee theft; supplier theft; robbery/assault; vandalism; worker’s compensation; slip and fall liability; drugs in the workplace; theft; workplace violence/harassment; perishable spoilage; flood detection; foreign security; and loss of intellectual property. Note: Keep in mind that a strong internet security system is also important for your online business.
• Get a strong door so a wolf can’t come and threaten to ‘huff and puff and break down your door’. Like the “Three Little Pigs” story, consider what type of door is right for your needs, but easy enough to maintain. Do you know how durable the door and its components (lock, hinges, etc.) need to be (heavy or light traffic area)? How worried are you about things like: theft; vandalism; or extreme weather or natural disasters? Typical commercial door materials include: steel, aluminum and wood. When looking for a steel or aluminum door manufacturer, keep in mind the additional distinction that exists between: industrial, residential, commercial, and institutional markets.
• Find out what kind of maintenance your Entrance Door requires. For your curb appeal to be effective, you not only need a solid and attractive door design, but you also need to keep it looking neat and clean. How often do you need to clean or polish your door (especially glass or shiny areas)? How often do you need to paint or refinish surfaces? Will it withstand heavy traffic? Is it weather resistant? Is it energy efficient or insulated enough? Will it withstand use or abuse, in terms of scratches or dents? Maintain a clean appearance both inside and outside your store, including the entrance. Careless installation will overshadow and negatively impact the best products. First impressions matter.
• Choose a custom entry/storefront door instead of a standard manufactured door. Even if you’re working on a budget, it may be worth investing in custom-made entrances, rather than using generic ones, especially if you invest in materials and design that are expected to hold up well over time. Consider consulting with an expert or specialist in the type of door you are considering. A company like Steiner Doors, which specializes in custom architectural aluminum window and door designs, has the experience to recommend an appropriate style for your business and can even incorporate your logo and/or address into the front door design. . These doors can be made to architects’ specifications with styles ranging from French doors, Herculite doors, custom aluminum front entry doors (which don’t have an industrial look), to architectural doors (with 1930’s and 1940’s styles). , a great fit for some cities), to custom aluminum retail window displays.
• Your physical location is an asset, use it wisely. Especially if you’ve chosen to set up your business in a big town or city, both for the fancy address and the ‘foot traffic’, make sure you don’t waste that investment by not using your premises as a promotional opportunity. what it can be Use your facility to sponsor free or invitation-only after-hours events, such as: an open house; a gallery exhibit; a frequent ‘Meet and Greet’ customer; start of a new product line; an invitation to the media; etc. When choosing this option, have some finger foods or snacks on hand, as well as some promotional products printed with your logo and business contact information. Whether it’s for an exclusive after-hours audience or as a contest for regular customers during the day, invest in quality promotional products such as: promotional clothing and hats; promotional bags and pouches; to think; keychains; etc.
• Learn key door terminology so you know what to ask for. It seems that every object in the world has an industry or association dedicated to it. For doors, that’s true. Within this door industry, there is also some important terminology that you need to become familiar with. Some door manufacturers and door industry groups that list glossaries or lists of key terminology and FAQs on their websites include: Lowe’s; Peach tree; and the Association of Manufacturers of Windows and Doors.

Tips and tactics 

• Choose a door that is welcoming or intriguing. To get an idea of ​​how doors can give different impressions, think about how some “doors” have been portrayed on television and in movies, for example, how doors were depicted in Pixar’s Monsters. Inc. animated film, where children feared what was behind their bedroom doors; or in Alice in Wonderland when Alice was trying to find the right door to go out; or the door in the Twilight Zone intro that ‘opens with the key of imagination’.
• Windows are an entryway design element that should be both decorative and functional. Depending on the size of your entrance, whether it’s a single or double door, or whether it’s part of a full store front that includes window displays, there are many options for your design. For example, consider whether or not your design might consist of: a solid metal or wood door; or just a metal frame around glass panels; or instead all glass with an embedded or printed design; or a mixture of metal structure with glass components within the design. The combinations and design possibilities are endless.
• If you are investing in a bespoke entrance, choose a design that is timeless and one that you hope will remain relevant as your business grows.
• Note, too, that if you want to incorporate your logo (and/or perhaps a building address number as well) inside the door or front of your physical store, that logo design should be simple and of an appropriate size. that it is readable by passers-by, and that it is feasible by the manufacturer. A metal cutout design probably can’t incorporate as elaborate or highly intricate a design or color scheme as easily or as legibly as perhaps a print version could.
• Relevant industry groups and publications include: Door & Window Magazine, International Door Association (IDA), Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA), National Fenstration Rating Council (NFRC), and Door & Window Manufacturer (DWM) Magazine.