Framing consultations are a great way to deliver personalized service, strengthen customer relationships, and highlight your expertise. These sessions can help your business grow and stand out, especially if you focus on custom art framing, photo preservation, or unique home décor.
With the right tools — such as an all-in-one point of sale (POS) system — and thoughtful planning, you can make these consultations smooth, engaging, and valuable for you and your customers.
Want to make framing consultations a core part of your business? Let’s explore how to make them fun, efficient, and effective.
Create a Comfortable Consultation Space
A warm, inviting area puts your customers at ease and makes the process fun and stress-free.
Want to create a space that inspires creativity and confidence? Here are a few tips to get you started.
- Create a stunning display wall showcasing your top frame styles, mat colors, and glass options. Highlight how a sleek black frame complements modern art or how museum glass beautifully preserves delicate watercolors. Encourage customers to explore, touch, and compare samples; it’s a hands-on way to help them discover the perfect fit for their vision.
- Use labeled trays or racks to display frame corners, arrange mat swatches by color family, and store essentials like tape measures and frame samples in a handy caddy. A clean, professional setup shows customers you’re ready to handle their projects with care.
- Add adjustable LED lighting for an extra wow factor. You can mimic gallery daylight or cozy home vibes, letting customers see exactly how their piece will shine.
A thoughtfully designed space boosts customer confidence and reflects the care and attention you bring to every detail of their project.
Train Your Staff on Customer Service and Framing Options
Your staff is the heart of your framing business during consultations, and equipping them with the right tools keeps your customers coming back and spreading the word. When your team feels confident and prepared, they can easily guide clients, making the process enjoyable and stress-free.
Some ways to help your team shine include:
- Make sure your team knows how to explain frame materials, mat styles, mouldings, and glass finishes in a way that’s easy and relatable for customers. For instance, they can show how non-glare glass is perfect for brightly lit spaces or why archival mats are necessary for preserving cherished old photos.
- Encourage your team to practice active listening and ask open-ended questions like, “What kind of look are you envisioning?” or “Will this piece be displayed in a specific room?” These interactions help them personalize recommendations to match each customer’s unique style and needs, making the experience more enjoyable and memorable.
- Give your team the power of a good POS system. With instant access to prices, inventory, and turnaround times, they can provide accurate answers on the spot. It keeps consultations running smoothly and shows customers that your business is efficient and professional.
When your staff is confident and helpful, customers are more likely to walk away from the consultation feeling great about their design choice and thrilled with their overall experience.
Incorporate Technology to Enhance the Process
A touch of tech can turn your framing consultations from simply helpful to genuinely engaging. With digital tools like a POS system and frame visualizer, you can create an experience your customers will actually enjoy.
Here’s how to choose the right tool for your frame shop:
- Choose a POS system that tracks stock in real time so you can instantly confirm if a customer’s favorite frame or mat is available. No delays and no guesswork — just efficient service that keeps the consultation on track.
- Digital preview tools like FrameVue let customers experiment with frames and mats on-screen, mixing and matching bold designs or timeless classics. It’s a fun, low-pressure way for them to find the perfect look without second-guessing!
- Save your customers’ preferences and past purchases so you can suggest frames that match their style or complement previous projects the next time they visit.
Tools like these make consultations more interactive and help build customer loyalty.
Offer Clear and Flexible Pricing
Nobody likes guessing games when it comes to costs — especially for custom projects. Transparent and flexible pricing puts your customers at ease and keeps their focus on crafting something they’re genuinely excited about.
Try these easy tips to make your framing store’s pricing clear and customer-friendly.
- Use your POS software to create instant, detailed quotes that lay everything out — frame size, material costs, specialty glass, or custom finishes. You can even show how minor tweaks, like choosing a smaller mat or opting for standard glass, can adjust the final price, giving customers clear options they’ll appreciate.
- Create tiered pricing that fits different budgets, like a basic package with standard materials, a mid-range option with acid-free mats, or a premium tier with custom finishes and museum glass.
- When you’re running a promotion or discount, share the good news right away! For example, a limited-time deal on multi-piece projects or a free upgrade to UV-protective glass could be just the nudge they need to seal the deal on the spot.
With clear, upfront pricing and flexible options, you’ll take the stress out of decision-making and leave customers feeling good about their choices.
Encourage Customer Involvement
Framing isn’t just about picking a frame; it’s about crafting something meaningful, and your customers should feel like true collaborators in the process. The more involved they are, the more personal and exciting the experience becomes.
Here’s how to bring your customers into the creative fun.
- Don’t just ask questions like “What do you want?” Instead, ask, “Is this going in a space with a lot of light?” or “Do you prefer a bold frame that stands out or something subtle?” Questions like these show you care about their vision and guide the conversation.
- Pull out a few frame corners and mat samples and encourage customers to feel the materials and try different combinations. For example, let them see how a walnut frame pairs with a cream mat or how a black mat can create a dramatic contrast.
- Share insights to help them decide, like how non-glare glass works well for brightly lit rooms or why archival mats protect art over time. Frame their choices as possibilities, not hard-sell recommendations.
When customers feel like they’re shaping the final result, they walk away not just with a framed piece, but with an experience they’ll remember — and want to repeat.
Offer Post-Consultation Support
Your job doesn’t end when the consultation ends — it’s the start of building a lasting connection. Following up lets your customers know you’re just as invested in their project as they are and keeps the excitement alive for the final reveal.
Try these post-consultation communication strategies.
- Shoot them a quick email or text with their order details — frame choice, mat color, glass type — and include an estimated completion date. For example, “Thanks for choosing us! Your custom walnut frame with non-glare glass will be ready by [date].”
- Your POS system can set reminders for pickup dates and send updates if anything changes. A simple message like, “Your frame is ready for pickup!” or “We’re putting the finishing touches on your order — it’ll be ready soon!” keeps communication clear.
- Once they’ve got their piece, send a quick survey or personal message to check in and see how they feel about the finished product. Something like, “We’d love to hear what you think about your new frame! Your feedback helps us make future consultations even better,” shows you care and keeps the conversation going.
These little gestures show your customers that you’re not just about making a sale; you also want to create an experience that makes them feel valued and genuinely cared for.
Promote Your Framing Consultations
You’ve worked hard to make your framing consultations memorable — now it’s time to spread the word! A creative promotion can attract new customers while keeping loyal ones returning for more.
Use these tips to get people excited.
- Dedicate a section on your website to showcase what makes your consultations unique. Include photos of your workspace, a list of services, and a simple booking form to make scheduling a breeze.
- Get creative with social media by sharing a behind-the-scenes reel of a consultation or posting a customer success story featuring before-and-after shots of their project. And don’t miss the chance to highlight limited-time offers, like “Book a consultation this month and enjoy 10% off your custom frame!”
- Team up with local artists, galleries, or home decor shops to cross promote your services. For example, you could host a “Meet the Framer” night at a local gallery, where attendees can book consultations.
Showcasing what sets your consultations apart helps draw in customers who can’t wait to see what you’ll create together!
Unlock the Potential of Framing Consultations
Framing consultations do so much more than help customers choose a frame; they’re your chance to offer personalized service, increase sales, and show what your business does best.
You can turn these sessions into a cornerstone of your success with a welcoming consultation space, handy tech tools, and thoughtful follow-ups to keep customers engaged.
LifeSaver POS can help you stay on top of inventory, generate instant pricing, and streamline order management. Try it for free today and see how LifeSaver can transform your business!
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