Baristas are the true life line of coffee shops everywhere. They are often more knowledgeable about coffee than the coffee shop owner, owing to their presence in the coffee shop everyday for at least 8 hours. So who better then, to provide advice and/or tips to existing and aspiring coffee shop owners? In this article we have outlined some of the best advice from coffee baristas all over the world.
Use aesthetically-pleasing decor
Coffee shops in itself are no longer unique. They are, in fact, as common as a grocery store. Thus it is important for coffee shop owners to create a unique setting. This can be achieved by focusing on either modern or vintage décor themes. Although, it is imperative that the theme is kept consistent, from the table settings to the music. People are craving authentic experiences and are willing to spend money and time to get it. As an example, a French inspired coffee shop should have customized the menu to offer French pastries, adjust the décor and perhaps offer a unique pairing combo that is reminiscent of France.
Offer an experience
Similar to the previous tip, offering an experience is about making a coffee shop unique. When designing a space, it should be done from the customer’s perspective. The furniture, crockery and layout should all fit into the overarching theme. To create an authentic experience, a coffee shop should engage all five senses. Think about the music, the lighting and daily foods that will be served.
Use high quality products
A simple yet effective tip to keep customers coming back is to use quality crockery, furniture and coffee equipment. People should feel comfortable when they visit a coffee shop or else they might as well have coffee at home. It is important that the seating is comfortable and that there is enough room to move around in the shop. When designing the layout, the tables should be spaced apart sufficiently for safety and privacy. Even the uniforms/attire of workers should be neat and tidy to create a good impression. People will come back to a coffee shop where they feel comfortable and taken good care of.
Friendly staff
Once a shop gets busy, staff can easily become overwhelmed and forget to be polite at all times. The truth is, if a customer feels unwelcome, they will not return to a coffee shop regardless of how beautiful the décor is. A huge part of a good coffee shop experience is having memorable and pleasant interactions with the staff.
Keep the prices consistent
Some coffee shop owners adjust the prices of certain products once it becomes obvious that it is a popular item. Increasing the price might however scare potential loyal customers away. By keeping the prices consistent, loyal customers will continue to support the shop and inadvertently market it to friends and family.
A strong wifi connection
In recent years, coffee shops have become an impromptu office for workers who do not have an office space and for people who want a break from the office or home desk. It is thus important to have a strong wifi connection and spaces for laptops that are fitted with electricity points. This will attract a corporate crowd which is good for business as they might use the coffee shop as a venue to host meetings or just to steal some time away from the office to work.
These are just some of the advice offered by baristas but they are by no means comprehensive. Coffee shop owners already have a vision of what they would like their coffee shop to look like, the above tips can be used to steer the vision in the right direction or to make adjustments to an older establishment.
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