Being in the best location and having all the right products are certainly keys to helping a business succeed, but when it comes to a fashion item such as flooring, the way your company presents itself to the consumer when she first sees it will usually determine if she decides to shop with you. In business first impressions mean everything.

Here are eight tips to make your company’s first impression memorable:

1. Outside appearance. From the moment she enters your parking lot to the second she sees the front of the store, it is important your premises and signage create a good first impression.

2. Inside appearance. The store does not have to be spotless, but it needs to be neat and orderly. A weekly dusting of fixtures, making sure samples are put in their proper place and so on. She doesn’t want to be walking into her teenager’s room. She wants a place where she can get inspiration to decorate.

3. Employee appearance. Beyond having your front line people looking professional, any employee who comes into contact with the public should be clean and well groomed.

4. Restrooms. If you have one and allow the public to use it, keep it clean. A dirty bathroom can quickly tarnish a company’s image.

5. Website. Today, it often is the first impression a consumer has of your company. If it is well designed, it can be one of your most powerful marketing tools; if it does not look professional, appealing or is not user friendly, people will not do business with you.

6. Business cards. When you hand someone your business card, the image it creates lingers. If it looks professional; is easy-to- read; contains such things as phone, email and website, you stand a better chance of people hanging onto it; if it looks handmade, is difficult to read or missing key information, there is a good chance people are going to throw it away.

7. Spelling. From store signs to business cards and other marketing materials, having a misspelled word or grammatical error can quickly diminish your image.

8. Consistency. Make sure everything with your company’s name on it—website, ads, marketing materials, signs, stationery, etc.— has a consistent and professional look.