Retaining Customers While Paving Your Parking Lot

No business these days can afford to inconvenience its customers when paving a parking lot. Keeping customers coming through your doors takes a bit of forethought and ingenuity. Resurfaced parking lots just need a few hours before cars can drive on it again. New asphalt paving takes up to three days to cure enough before vehicles can drive on it. Here are a few suggestions to retain normal customer relations while work is going on in the parking lot.

Let Customers Know About the Paving Beforehand

It's good customer service to let your customers know that you will be having your parking lot paved on a certain date. This allows your customers to plan trips to your store. Your elderly or handicapped customers will appreciate the heads up. Temporary signage will help direct them to designated spots.

Keep Their Mind Off the Smell of Asphalt

The smell of asphalt may bother some of your customers with sensitive noses. Keep their minds on shopping by offering distractions designed to draw them into your store. One creative offering may be a free coffee booth with a sign stating to enjoy smelling the coffee instead of the asphalt. Offering discounts or prizes on that day will keep customers focused on what's happening in the store and not out in the parking lot.

Validate Parking if Necessary

Many smaller cities still have parking meters. If your city is paving during business hours, offer to validate your customers' parking if they buy something from your store. Check with local authorities regarding the process.

Business-to-Business Customers

Most asphalt paving takes a day to lay the asphalt. But you have to plan on up to three days before parking can get back to normal. If your business relies on business-to-business customers more than casual walk-in customers, consider giving your B2B customers special hours before or after normal business hours to shop. You might offer special delivery services during paving time.

The Key is Preparation and a Little Marketing

Scheduling time to resurface or newly pave your parking lot isn't always easy for corporate or local management to sign-off on, especially during busier seasons. But if you prepare for the asphalt paving process ahead of time and throw in some clever marketing, you can keep your customers coming in and purchasing as normal. They will appreciate the extra customer service and you'll appreciate the return on your investment. Click here for more information.