Any small business owner knows that with success comes expansion. Often, that means making a new or bigger parking lot to accommodate your growing customer base. After all, if you want more people to enter your shop, there must be enough room for them to park.

While planning for a parking lot can be an exciting step in your entrepreneurial career, installing one can be a significant investment. Therefore, doing it correctly the first time is crucial. Here’s how to properly plan for a new parking lot.

Consider Dimensions

When considering the size and dimensions of your lot, consider how many customers might visit your location at any given time. This estimate will help you decide how many parking spaces to include in your plans. Many U.S. states and municipalities require public spaces to be nine feet wide and 18 feet long. However, if your clients own larger vehicles or have handicaps, you may want to plan for larger spots.

Choose a Material

The three most common parking lot materials are asphalt, concrete and gravel. In most cases, you’ll only choose one to pave your lot. While there are pros and cons to each option, asphalt reigns supreme in terms of durability and ease of installation. Unlike other materials, asphalt is flexible, making it less prone to cracking. It’s also more porous, allowing for better drainage. Subsequently, you’ll only have to worry about resurfacing every 10 to 20 years, making maintenance easy.

Design a Functional Layout

The next step in planning your parking lot is designing a functional layout. Would you rather have angled or rectangular parking spaces? Do you want to include spaces for parallel parking? Often, the shape of your lot space will determine which kind of layout you choose. You should also plan space for two-way traffic around the perimeter of the lot for a smoother flow of vehicles and higher space efficiency.

Implement Safety Precautions

You can also ensure traffic flows in the right direction by painting markings on the asphalt. Use paint to specify handicap spots, speed limits and pedestrian crossings. You should also place stop and yield signs throughout the lot to keep pedestrians and drivers safe. Additionally, design for lot lighting and security camera placement to illuminate parking for evening shoppers. Lights can also reduce crimes like robbery and assault by 39%, so proper fixture placement is a must.

Beautify by Landscaping

Once you’ve outlined the logistical side of your parking lot, you can begin to focus on aesthetics. Beautify the new lot by planting trees around the perimeter or in small green spaces throughout. You might even plant flowers around the entrance of the building to better welcome guests. Be sure to include trimming and watering as part of your weekly agenda. Maintaining green spaces will ensure visibility and keep the area beautiful.

Think Long-Term

As you consider the logistics of your new lot, remember to make decisions for the long term. Opt for high-quality materials and hire landscapers with a good deal of experience in commercial work. You should also invest in decent lighting and cameras to keep your business and customers safe.

Of course, parking lots can and will deteriorate over time — regardless of how well you design them. Therefore, it’s vital to perform regular inspections and create a budget for care and maintenance. Setting aside a small amount of money each month to care for your lot will prolong its life and save you money.