Santa Cruz Sentinel

Commercial curb appeal: Important selling point

- JuStin Fhite

Neglecting your business’ exterior appearance can send the impression to prospectiv­e customers that your services or products may also be lacking.

This can then cause them to feel uneasy about supporting your business and instead seek out your competitor­s who may have a more kept outdoors. Ensure that your property’s curb appeal tops the list of your marketing strategies, which experts say helps increase foot traffic as well as your sales. Whether you’re looking for a complete makeover or just a few low-cost ways to revive the aesthetic of your property, here are some simple tips to improve commercial landscapin­g appeal.

Work with a commercial landscape provider

If you want to have the best possible commercial landscape, then you should definitely consider utilizing profession­al services. Set your property up for success by hiring qualified profession­als that offer assistance from design to installati­on, as well as maintenanc­e. Be sure to protect your business by checking the contractor’s license and insurance before you sign a contract. Without the help of an experience­d team, you may fall short with the design, lack proper installati­on and end up costing your business more money in the long run! Continue to protect your outdoor investment with profession­al maintenanc­e, and you’ll see the ROI for years to come.

Plant annuals and perennials

Add annual and perennial plants to your property to spruce up the image of your building, just keep in mind that annuals do not return every year, so use them for a

seasonal blast of color. Perennial plants will come back for you each year if properly cared for and landscapin­g profession­als can ensure that proper care happens. When looking at solutions for landscapin­g in California, there are many great options of annuals and perennials that will work for your Central Coast property. Take some time now to think about what types of annual and perennial blooms will look best with your business’ theme.

Remove weeds and unnecessar­y growth

It is essential to remove weeds and unnecessar­y growth from your office’s landscape. Unruly weeds and disruptive root growth can cause you to have all kinds of foundation and structural issues with your building. Not only can a landscaper remove weeds and excessive foliage for you, they can install root barriers, mulch, and ground cover to keep these issues from developing again for your business. After-hour safety is further ensured for your company, too. By keeping visibility under control, you’ll remove opportunit­ies for criminals to lurk and hideout on your company’s property.

Pay attention to walkways and surface issues

Freshly resurfaced walkways and stairs not only give your property a clean appearance, but it also ensures your customers are safe while traveling to and from your building on foot. Broken, cracked, or chipped walkways and parking lots pose a safety hazard for clients, which will most likely discourage them from approachin­g your business. You might have grown accustomed to seeing these cracks and other flaws, but they actually are some of the first things the public notices about your property, and those first impression­s are very important for your business.

Keep a green lawn and tidy yard

It’s significan­t for your business’ lawn to be green and healthy, while also maintainin­g colorful blooms. Both will attract more people to your business and can continue to influence your current customers to continue doing business with you. Fertilizer­s can be applied to your lawn and garden beds. Proper pruning of bushes, trees, and shrubs by a licensed landscaper will all contribute to a stronger curb appeal. A well designed and properly installed irrigation system will ensure that your landscape continues to flourish in the warm summer months.

Strategica­lly placed shrubs, native California flowers, or even tree islands throughout your property can boost your business in appearing more vibrant and lively, creating a welcoming atmosphere for clients. A commercial landscaper can also maintain your new or existing greenery to help ensure it continues to grow for sustained curb appeal. Don’t forget to incorporat­e light fixtures to provide visibility for your building to be seen at night, making it inviting even during the evening hours. If your commercial property is rundown and the landscapin­g is in dire need of upkeep and maintenanc­e, it may lead customers to wonder if it’s even still open for business!

Justin White is the CEO of K&D Landscapin­g, headquarte­red in Watsonvill­e, CA and awarded “2020 Business of the Year” by the

Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce. White is also the current President of the California Landscape Contractor­s Associatio­n (CLCA) local chapter on the central coast. He is involved with several, non-profit organizati­ons throughout the community and sits on the board of the Santa Cruz Business Council. For more informatio­n on landscapin­g, outdoor and garden needs, contact K&D Landscapin­g at kndlandsca­ping.com.

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 ?? CONTRIBUTE­D ?? Unruly weeds and disruptive root growth can cause you to have all kinds of foundation and structural issues with your building.
CONTRIBUTE­D Unruly weeds and disruptive root growth can cause you to have all kinds of foundation and structural issues with your building.

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