When your business has a fantastic parking lot, it makes all the difference in the world. Customers are happier, and you get more people through the door.
But what if you wanted to make not just a great parking lot, but one that was so good, your customers would tell their children about it?
Here’s what to do:
Light It Up
First, you want to make sure people can see where they’re going. A lot of parking lots are quite dark, which hampers navigation. You want to avoid this if you can.
The best way to light it up is to embed lights into the ground. These look cool, but they’re helpful whether people are driving their vehicles or just walking around.
Pave It Like A Racetrack
You also want to go to a pavement company that can pave it like a race track. Most people prefer fresh asphalt to hard concrete.
Also, if you can get the grading right, you can avoid water pooling on the surface. Puddings are far less likely to form if the ground is smooth.
To achieve this finish, you’ll need to work with professionals with the best equipment. Amateurs usually won’t be able to give you the results you want.
Add Flow
Next, think about the traffic situation. Most commercial car parks become clogged the moment they become slightly busy. You want to avoid this. The best way to do this is by instituting wider lanes. Yes, it takes up room, but it also gives drivers more space to maneuver.
You also want to angle parking spaces so that they’re easy to get into. Sixty degrees is optimal according to a lot of industry research.
Paint It Better
Next, think about how you can use color in your parking lot to maximally appeal to your audience. Painting different zones with color codes is handy to show people where to go.
For example, blue is the standard for disability parking, while green is for EV charging. Yellow means “waiting zone” or “pickup area,” which could be helpful, depending on what you sell and how clients interact with your business.
Plant A Small Forest
If you can add more trees to the environment, that’s a great idea. Don’t plant them right next to concrete. Instead, buy them in pots and then distribute them as you see fit.
If you can put the trees close enough to each other, they’ll eventually create a canopy. Then, customers can keep their vehicles in the shade and won’t have to worry so much about them overheating in the sun.
Add EV Chargers
As mentioned, you might also want to add EV chargers. These are handy and also a good way to make a bit of profit on the side from your parking lot. They’re also exceptionally convenient for any customers who own an electric or hybrid vehicle. They can use the time they’re in the store to top up their batteries before setting off on their onward journey. Dedicate around 5% of your spaces to this purpose.
