How Do You Liven Up Your Showroom?
Does your showroom look as good as it could? Check out these ideas for improving its condition and impressing your customers.
Auto dealerships have been around almost as long as the car has; and it’s believed the first ones appeared all the way back in the 1890s. Except for more flowers and velvet curtains back then, the basic design of the auto showroom hasn’t really changed all that much.
So, what can you do to liven up your showroom and get people excited about coming in? While you may be limited by an OEM’s branding, and by that very-real-reality of budgets, here are some suggestions that range from very simple to considerably more serious.
Start with a critical eye
After all the times you’ve walked through the door, you’re not looking at your store anymore. Stop and really see what your customers are experiencing when they come in. Is your showroom inviting, or is it dull and lifeless? Is there a clear path to your reception area? Can customers go around all the vehicles smoothly, without having to stop and turn around? Sometimes it helps to bring in a friend who doesn’t come in very often, and have them give you an honest opinion. These “fresh eyes” may see issues that you don’t notice anymore.
Sprucing up: Beginner Level
- Keep it clean. This can be a real chore in bad weather, but customers will notice. Keep a wet mop (such as a Swiffer cleaner) handy for spills or muddy footprints. Your cleaning service might be hesitant to move personal items around, such as on a salesperson’s counter, so be sure everyone keeps their workspaces clean.
- Pay special attention to the washrooms. They should be spotless and up-to-date. Replace cracked or stained sinks or toilet seats. If the soap or towel dispenser breaks, replace or remove it; don’t leave it broken on the wall with a bottle of soap alongside. Consider putting out a container of feminine hygiene products for customers who need to use them.
- Watch the walls. Scuffs and dings build up over time and can make the showroom look dull and worn. Know when it’s time for a fresh coat of paint.
- Put faces forward. If possible, arrange vehicles so they’re facing customers as they come in. This will make the showroom look more inviting.
- Add some music. Background music can be a nice touch, but it should actually be in the background. Just loud enough that people realize it’s there, but not so much that it takes their attention off the vehicles and what the salesperson is saying.
- Display some extras. If your showroom is large enough, display some of the items available as options or aftermarket, such as wheels, winter tires, or all-weather floor mats and cargo covers. Even if these are also in the service department, putting them in the showroom may encourage customers to add them to the vehicle purchase.
Add “extras” for customers
- Offer Wi-Fi. People now expect free Wi-Fi at most businesses, and yours is no exception. Post the sign-in information prominently and encourage them to visit your website, or use QR codes to give them more information on vehicles.
- Install a “fun corner” for children. Set aside a play area bordered with benches for parents and have some toys and books inside. This could be shared with the service department, so that people waiting for their vehicle repairs come into the showroom.
- Keep some “props” on hand. Consider stashing some items that people often carry in their vehicles, such as a child car seat, hockey bag, or dog crate. Customers seldom bring these with them and may get an unwanted surprise when they get the vehicle home and find they don’t fit. The child seat can be especially useful if you sell three-row SUVs where the second-row seats can be slid forward without removing the child seat; or to illustrate how easy it is to install a seat in one of your brand’s vehicles.
More Improvements: Mid-Level
- Assess the dealership’s furniture. Scuffed desks and worn chairs don’t make a good impression. Replace or refinish anything that isn’t in good shape.
- Liven up the walls with appropriate pictures. “Glamour shots” of the vehicles you offer can improve the look of the showroom and get customers excited about driving them. Your OEM may have photo files available that you can have printed and mounted for display.
- Give your customers “screen time.” If you don’t already have a large screen mounted on the wall, consider adding one. Use it to run your OEM’s “how-to” or promotional videos if your brand provides them.
All the Way: High-Level Improvements
- Improve the lighting. Good lighting can make a huge improvement to how the showroom looks. This may involve new light fixtures, better windows, or even skylights. Natural light or so-called “full-spectrum” bulbs will bring out a vehicle’s true colour and improve its appearance. Work with a lighting professional to maximize the impact of any renovations.
- How about a video wall? A big screen is impressive, but a whole wall is jaw-dropping. This would work really well for a premium or sporty brand.
- Use glass to visualize “transparency.” An open-style showroom looks spacious, while offices with glass walls gives customers the impression that you’re up front and open. It also gives salespeople an unobstructed view of the showroom to see customers coming in.
Whether you make small changes or completely overhaul your showroom, customers will notice and that can influence their impression of your dealership. Better surroundings can also have a positive effect on your employees too, and that in turn is good for customers. Dealership improvements will involve time and money, but the payoff could well be worth it.