How to Protect Your Interior Design Business During a Slowdown
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In my last post, I talked about some things you could take control of right now to optimize your client experience and business during a pandemic.
I felt like I still had so much to say, so here is part two of things you can be doing RIGHT NOW in your business.
Clean Up Your Software & Systems
When things slow down, it’s the best time to look at all the programs you are using to run your business. We all know there is so much more they can do for us, but do we really fully utilize them? Schedule demos, do tutorials, or set up a test client and run some fake projects using all the bells and whistles to see how you can use what you are already paying for to make your client experience or operations better.
While looking at your software, is there anything with a monthly rate that you can eliminate, freeze, or downgrade for the time being? I am familiar with several companies that are reducing monthly fees and offering discounts for higher packages. This is the perfect time to email them to ask.
Communication & Meetings
Team communication. Oh my goodness. This is a blog post in and of itself, but a lot of my clients work with subcontractors, so they often have team members in other states and other time zones working with them. Now is a great time to assess how you communicate with them.
Do you use text, email, a project management software, phone, zoom, voxer, etc?
Are you establishing weekly or bimonthly meetings to keep everyone on track?
Now is a good time to streamline the communication channels and get used to a new way (if needed) so that when business picks back up, you are all used to using the new and more efficient method.
If you use an online scheduler like Acuity or Calendly, now is a great time to update your availability and add scheduling options for your new virtual appointments (or a new service offering if you are rolling one out).
Review Your Contracts
I’m not an attorney, but this is THE time to review your contracts and policies.
Do you have policies that could be revised to address delays, cancellations, rescheduling, changes in budget, etc?
Are all the terms relevant?
Check out my sample Interior Designer Scope & Service Agreement here.
On the other hand, if your business is under contract with any other businesses, have you taken the time to assess those contracts and reach out to either renegotiate the terms or reschedule?
Update Your Website
Can you use the announcement bar feature to let prospects know about a new service offering that is geared toward this time?
Or maybe to direct them to how you are doing business right now during this time?
If your website states your availability for projects, now is a great time to edit that to reflect your new availability.
Is your contact form working FOR you?
Get started by downloading my free Client Experience Blueprint, or get the entire client experience system here.