When's the last time you thought about lighting at your shop, office, or retail outlet?

Lighting can have a big impact on your business - it affects everything from how your products are perceived by your customers to the safety and security of your staff members and clients. Lighting can also represent a significant portion of your electricity costs, which is why it's a good idea to re-assess whether or not your current lighting system is really meeting your requirements.

Increase The Curb Appeal Of Your Business
If you've ever approached a dimly-lit bar, a shop with poor exterior lighting, or an office that's located down a dark hallway, you already know that lighting can play a critical role in how your customers perceive you and your company.

A warm, well-lit parking lot lets your visitors know that you're open for business, while bright signage and window displays draw people in to your building. Just like with your home, the right outdoor lighting goes a long way towards increasing the curb appeal of your company.

Improve Safety and Security With Better Business Lighting
Keeping yourself, your clients, and your staff members safe is another important consideration when operating a business. Well-placed, reliable lighting both inside and outside of your building is one of the most affordable, effective tools you can use to deter crime, decrease accidents, and create a safer environment for everyone.

Increase ADA Compliance and Accessibility
The National Federation of the Blind estimates that close to 9 million Americans are visually impaired, and approximately 1.3 million more are legally blind. Studies also show that thanks to the aging population, these numbers are expected to double over the next 30 years.

Lighting plays an important role in making your business more accessible to people living with visual impairments - the right lights help to reduce the risk of injuries, increase traffic to your business, and create a barrier-free environment.

Be aware that in some cases, brighter lights aren't necessarily better for people living with conditions that impact their vision, and in fact, some overly-bright lights can actually cause vision loss.

Energy-Efficient LED Lighting Options
With the advent of light emitting diodes, better known as LEDs, it's now possible to create a completely customized lighting installation that delivers exceptional illumination without spiking your utility bills.

When compared to traditional incandescent (a.k.a. 'Edison-style') lighting, LEDs "use at least 75% less energy, and last 25 times longer" according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Better yet, commercial-quality LEDs have an average bulb life of 25,000 hours and they emit significantly less heat than other types of lighting like halogen and fluorescent, meaning that LEDs have the potential to save you on installation and air conditioning costs as well.

And because LED lights come in a wide array of colors that can be changed with a touch of a button, LEDs let you illuminate everything from counter tops to cars and bathroom mirrors with colorful lights that reflect your brand.

When it comes to improving the curb appeal of your business, landscaping makes all the difference. Trees provide natural beauty, comfortable shade, and a sense of tranquility, creating a more welcoming environment for customers and employees alike.

In the long run, trees are a sensible low-cost investment that provides benefits for decades to come; that is, if they're cared for properly. Replacing a single tree can cost hundreds of dollars, so it's important to know how to properly care for the trees on your property.

Choose the Right Trees for Your Property
Numerous common tree problems can be avoided by taking the time to do your research and make sure that you choose the right trees for your business's property in the first place. Consider how tall and wide a tree will be when it's mature, whether it will drop its leaves in the winter, and whether its shape will suit your space. Also consider the root system. Some trees have roots that go deep into the ground, while others have invasive roots that spread out close to the surface of the ground, potentially posing a tripping hazard for customers or even damaging sidewalks.

Taking the time to research the best trees for your climate and the needs and limitations of your property can help to ensure that you make the best choice.

Know the Signs of Disease
While most trees are naturally resistant to disease and pests, you will still want to regularly observe your trees so you can catch problems as early as possible. Yellowing or wilting leaves, limited growth, and fungus are a few of the problems that you should keep an eye out for. Know what your tree looks like when it's healthy, and if you observe any changes, call a local arborist to help you consider solutions.

Take Simple Precautions
Compared to flowers and shrubs, trees are relatively low maintenance. However, there are a few simple precautions that you can take to ensure that they last a lifetime. Laying fresh mulch every year will protect the tree from over-fertilizing and over-watering. Mulch should be between two and three inches thick. When laying it, ensure that it is kept away from the tree's bark, and don't forget to remove the old mulch before putting on the fresh layer.

Most trees require very minimal pruning. In fact, because pruning causes damage from which the tree must heal, it can actually result in stunted growth. In most cases, the only time you will need to prune is when you see a dead limb or a branch that has cracked during a strong storm. Ensure that dead or damaged limbs are safely cut away to prevent them from falling and damaging your property or bringing harm to a client or employee.

Know When to Leave Them Alone
Most trees grow beautifully without any human intervention; just look at the region's beautiful parks. If you've selected a hardy tree that is suitable for the climate and has a size, shape, and root system that will be accommodated by your space, and you've ensured that it was properly planted, then in all likelihood, very little maintenance will be required.

Trees bring natural beauty to any business, and by taking the time to understand how to keep your trees healthy, you can ensure that they'll be around for years to come.