Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get a better handle on how many people are actually coming into my store. You know, not just sales numbers, but actual foot traffic. So, I started looking into these “foot traffic sensor systems.”
My First Steps: Research, Research, Research
First thing I did was hit up the internet. I mean, where else do you start, right? I spent a good few days just reading articles, watching videos, and comparing different systems. There are SO many options out there. It’s kinda overwhelming.
Narrowing it Down
I knew I needed something that was:
- Pretty accurate: I didn’t want some janky system that was off by like 50 people.
- Easy to install: I’m not exactly a tech wizard, so I needed something I could handle myself or, at most, with a little help from a friend.
- Not crazy expensive: I’m running a small business, so I couldn’t break the bank on this.
Based on my needs, I looked at a few different types. Thermal sensors seemed cool, but maybe a bit overkill for my little shop. Video counters were an option, but I had some privacy concerns about that. Finally I focused on simpler systems, the ones that use infrared beams. These seemed like the best bet for me.
The Installation Process
I ended up going with a pretty basic infrared beam system. It came with two units – one for each side of the doorway. Mounting them was a breeze, literally just a couple of screws. My friend helped me made them straight on either side of the door.
The hardest part was probably just running the wire neatly along the wall so nobody would trip over it. A little bit of cable management goes a long way, people!
Getting the Data
Now, this is where it gets interesting. The system I chose has a little counter unit that displays the number of people who’ve entered. Every time someone breaks the infrared beam, the counter goes up by one. Easy peasy!
At the end of each day, I just jot down the number from the counter in a little notebook. I’ve also started keeping track of my daily sales, so I can start to see the relationship between foot traffic and actual purchases.
What I’ve Learned So Far
It’s only been a few weeks, but I’m already getting some useful insights. I can see which days of the week are busiest, and even which hours of the day are the most popular. This is HUGE for planning things like staffing and promotions.
For example, I noticed that Saturdays are WAY busier than I thought, so I’ve started scheduling an extra person to help out during the peak hours. And I’m thinking about running a special promotion on Tuesdays, which seem to be a bit slow.
It’s a simple system, but it’s giving me some really valuable data. I’m excited to see what else I can learn as I keep using it!