How Strategic Placement of Awnings Can Drive Traffic and Increase Revenue

Awnings have long served both practical and aesthetic purposes for businesses. When designed and positioned thoughtfully, commercial awnings can do more than provide shade—they can boost foot traffic, improve the customer experience and ultimately contribute to higher revenue.

In competitive markets like Phoenix, where businesses face scorching summers, the strategic use of awnings can make a business stand out, reduce energy costs and create a more inviting atmosphere for customers.

The Power of Visibility

One of the most important factors in driving foot traffic to a business is visibility. Customers need to easily identify and recognize a storefront from a distance or while walking or driving by. This is especially true in shopping centers, retail plazas and high-traffic streets, where businesses are often competing for attention.

• Branding Opportunity: Awnings provide an excellent canvas for branding. Business names, logos or even promotional messages can be displayed on awning surfaces, making them visible to pedestrians and drivers alike. Strategic placement of these branded awnings can enhance visibility and increase the likelihood of a passersby stopping in.
  
  
• Standing Out from Competitors: Awnings that are well-designed and visually striking can help businesses stand out in a crowded retail environment. Bright colors, unique shapes and bold patterns can make a storefront more noticeable, drawing attention even in busy areas where competition is fierce.
  
  
• Street Visibility: Metro Phoenix buildings can blend together, especially in areas where retail plazas share similar architecture. Awnings allow businesses to stand out from the dozens of other neighboring establishments. Businesses on bustling streets should consider using large, well-placed awnings to improve street visibility and guide foot traffic to their location.

Enhancing Customer Experience and Comfort

In addition to improving visibility, awnings play a crucial role in enhancing the customer experience. This is particularly true during summers where months-long stretches of 110-degree days and 90-degree nights make maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature energy intensive. Offering a comfortable, shaded space can make all the difference in attracting and retaining customers.

Patio or balcony awnings can create comfortable outdoor seating areas for restaurants, cafes and bars, making it more appealing for customers to linger and spend money. Customers are more likely to stay longer in a comfortable, shaded space, and this often translates into increased spending.

Businesses in Phoenix need to minimize direct sunlight entering their premises during the summer to ensure customer and employee comfort. Window awnings can significantly reduce the amount of heat and UV radiation entering a building, which can create a cooler and more comfortable interior environment. Reducing the glare from the sun also improves visibility inside stores, allowing customers to browse comfortably without dealing with harsh lighting.

Energy Efficiency and Cost Reduction

Strategically placed awnings don’t just drive traffic—they also help businesses save money. In hot climates like Phoenix, keeping a commercial space cool can be expensive, especially if the business’s HVAC system is attempting to counteract rampant solar heat gain. Awnings, when positioned to block direct sunlight, can reduce these costs.

• Reducing Energy Consumption: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, awnings can reduce solar heat gain by up to 77 percent on west-facing windows and 65 percent on south-facing windows. By blocking the sun’s rays from entering through windows, awnings help reduce the strain on air conditioning systems, leading to lower energy bills. Over time, these savings can make have a significant impact on a business’s operating expenses.
  
  
• Temperature Regulation: Awnings also regulate the temperature inside the business, making it easier to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment for customers and employees. This not only reduces the strain on HVAC systems but also creates a more pleasant shopping or dining experience, which can encourage customers to return.

Make Your Phoenix Business Stand Out With Striking, High-Quality Awnings

Whether you need window awnings to block direct sunlight or patio awnings to create comfortable outdoor spaces, investing in the right materials and designs can pay off in the long run.

Contact Arizona Awnings today on our website or give us a call at 602-346-9902 to learn more about our branding capabilities and your awning material and design choices.