Planning your reception area is very important. Why? Because your reception area represents your business. When customers walk in, their first impression of your company will be the reception area. If the seating is generous and grouped appropriately, visitors won’t mind waiting. If the seats are crammed together and the place is cluttered, visitors might think twice about doing business with you again.
What does your reception area say about you? Is your company warm and inviting, or bare-bones and spartan? Do you care enough about your clients to provide books and entertainment while they wait?
Regardless of how things work behind the scenes, you will want to create a favorable impression for all your clients and vendors. Here are seven tips for sprucing up your reception area to make it more comfortable for visitors.
1. Reception area seating should suit your clientele and your space. If you can, install overstuffed easy chairs. If you typically have many clients waiting at one time, you’ll have to use more, smaller seats.
2. Reception desk layouts should take into account all equipment and storage needs.
3. A “U” shaped desk makes faxes and printers more convenient to use.
4. Always have a phone available for waiting clients. If possible, have an available phone in a separate area for private calls.
5. Place educational pamphlets and information about your company within view.
6. To alleviate boredom, install televisions or an aquarium. Also provide entertaining puzzles and magazines, as well as toys, if clients might have children with them.
7. If several groups of clients might be waiting at one time, consider arranging your seats into separate groups. Provide as much space as possible. Clients who feel squished together won’t want to wait very long.
Follow these seven tips, and you’ll be sure to make a great first impression with your clients and vendors.
