Customer Comfort: How to Make Your Clients Feel More at Home This Summer

Summertime is tough on everyone, but as a business owner, it's your job to make sure that it doesn't alienate potential customers. Here are just five ways to keep them cool while the sun is blazing.

1. Air Conditioning

When it's hot outside, no one wants to be trapped in a stuffy building without air conditioning. Not only will it keep everyone cool, but it can also be used as a draw for your particular establishment. For example, if your store is located on a strip mall with many other businesses, you can blast cold air in front of your doors to attract people walking by.

2. Cooling Drinks

This is something that you'll need to train your secretaries and receptionists to do. Instead of offering your clients the standard coffee-or-water combo, ask if they'd like a special summertime smoothie or a light, refreshing drink like fruit juice or chilled herbal tea. Your clients will be surprised but pleased with your thoughtfulness, and even if they don't take you up on your offer, you're sure to make a good impression.

3. Shade Sails

Perfect for restaurants and cafes with outdoor seating, shade sails will keep your guests out of the sun while also providing a unique sense of style for your brand. This is because shade sails are comprised of overlapping triangles instead of traditional squares or rectangles. As a bonus, they're available in endless colors, sizes and materials, so you'll have your pick of what's most suitable for your brand.

4. Fabric Chair Covers

If you've ever gotten up from a plastic chair and left some skin behind, you understand the importance of fabric covers during hot, sweaty months when everything sticks to everything. You should be particularly careful about this happening to your customers if your demographic is young, female or just likely to be wearing shorts. You don't want them to be so distracted by the pain of the back of their legs that they decide to not even shop at your clothing boutique.

5. Freebies

Everyone loves a freebie, and when the temperature is rising, your freebies should be related to beating back the heat. For example, you might hand out small plastic fans or self-spritzing bottles to the first 50 customers of the day. You might also give away things like ice cream vouchers with every purchase. It's all about incentivizing.

These are just a few ways to help your visitors cool down during the summer months. Remember, a comfortable client is a happy client, so take whatever measures are necessary to ensure their relief!