How to find a good location for your business in Nigeria (2023)

Are you planning to start a business in Nigeria in 2023? Seeking the perfect spot for your business? No worries.

Approximately 80% of customers consider proximity to their location when choosing where to shop or seek services.

With a rapidly growing economy and a diverse range of business opportunities, Nigeria is an attractive location for entrepreneurs looking to invest in the region.

However, finding the right location for your business can be a challenging task, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the country’s cultural and business landscape.

Having a business located in a convenient and easily accessible area increases the likelihood of attracting more customers.

As someone with over 7 years of experience hustling in Nigeria, I understand the value of finding a good location firsthand.

It’s a decision that can make or break your business. I’ll help you find that ideal business location in Nigeria.

Whether you dream of opening a cool retail store, a great restaurant, or a buzzing office space, I’ve got you covered.

This article aims to guide you through the process to help you find a good location for your business in Nigeria.

Let’s dive in and discover how to secure the perfect spot for your business in Nigeria.

Find a Good Location for your Business in Nigeria

1. Define Your Target Market

The first step in finding a good location for your business is to determine who your target customers are and where they are located.

Is it a retail store or a restaurant?
Who are the people you intend to sell to?
Is the area much populated with school students or adults?

This will help you determine if your business will thrive or not.

Also, this will help you narrow down potential locations that have a high concentration of your target market.

2. Do Some Market Checks

First, gather some special info about the local economy, people’s ages, competition, and what makes customers tick in different areas.

This special data will show you where the magic happens and where Nigerians are yearning for your awesome products or services.

Hang out in those areas and have a friendly chat with small business owners. Listen carefully to their complaints and concerns.

By understanding their struggles, You’ll know exactly where your business will fit in. If there is a future for it or not.

Also Read: How to Write a Business Plan in Nigeria

3. Assess Infrastructure

Consider the quality of the building.

Make sure the building is habitable and robust to prevent the threat of collapse.

Look for areas with good road networks, access to public transportation, reliable power supply, and internet connectivity.

When it comes to choosing a business location in Nigeria, accessibility is crucial. You don’t want customers calling you and not being able to reach you.

4. Evaluate The Competition

Identify your competitors and analyze their locations.

While competition can be healthy for business, it’s important to assess two things:

Firstly, determine if the market is already saturated in certain areas. Secondly, explore if there are untapped opportunities elsewhere.

In a situation like this, I’ve discovered it is unwise to lock yourself into one idea. You will find it rather useful to be flexible and adaptable.

In Nigeria, there are a ton of business opportunities waiting to be discovered.

All you have to do is use your imagination. Look for a need and satisfy that need.

5. Understand Local Regulations.

Familiarize yourself with local regulations and land use policies.

Ensure that your chosen location is suitable for your business activities and complies with local regulations.

You will find certain areas in Nigeria don’t do well with certain businesses.

Contact relevant government agencies or consult a good agent for information about this.

See the article How to Register Your Business With CAC Online ( Ultimate Guide)

7. Analyze Costs.

When it comes to selecting your business location, don’t forget to play detective and evaluate the costs involved.

We’re talking about rent, bills, and those small operational expenses that can catch you off guard.

Here’s the deal: Take a good, hard look at your budget.

Then, weigh it against the potential benefits and profitability of each location. It’s like a balancing act, ensuring that your chosen spot doesn’t drain your finances but rather fuels your success.

8. Resource Accessibility

find a good location for your business in Nigeria

When it comes to running a manufacturing or production business, you’ve got to pay close attention to the availability of raw materials in your chosen location.

If you run a water company it will only be reasonable to find a place where there is water.

If you set up shop far away from those essential ingredients, you’ll find yourself dealing with the headache of sourcing and transporting them.

This will affect your profit margin.

Make it a point to be in the right place to easily access those raw materials and keep your business running smoothly.

9. Seek Local Insights

Engage with local business associations, chambers of commerce, or industry-specific networks to gather insights about potential locations.

Local entrepreneurs or professionals will provide valuable information about business-friendly areas, market trends, and challenges specific to Nigeria.

In other words, all you have to do is make friends and listen to people talk about their problems and challenges.

Ask relevant questions and learn as much as you can about business trends and topics.

Also Read: How To Make 3000 Naira Daily In Nigeria- ( 7 Realistic Ways)

10. Visit Potential Locations.

Don’t just up and make payment. No

Once you have shortlisted potential locations, visit them in person to assess their suitability.

Observe the level of activity, foot traffic, and overall atmosphere. Observe your spirit to know if it’s happy with the place.

Take note of nearby amenities, parking availability, and security considerations.

11. Seek Professional Advice.

If you’re unsure about certain aspects of choosing a location or navigating the local business landscape, consider getting in touch.

Bonus tip

Google My Business is an awesome tool to boost your business’s visibility.

It helps you manage and optimize your business information on Google’s platforms like Search and Maps.

Here’s why you should use it:

Get Found Easily: With Google My Business, your business appears in local searches, making it easier for potential customers to find you.

Maps Integration: It seamlessly integrates with Google Maps, allowing people to locate your business effortlessly.

Engage with Customers: You can interact with customers, respond to reviews, and build a positive relationship with them.

Gain Insights: It provides valuable data on customer behavior, search trends, and actions taken on your listing, helping you make informed decisions.

Showcase Your Business: You can add photos and videos to showcase your products or services, enticing customers to choose you.

Share Updates: Use Google Posts to share promotions, events, or any other relevant information with your audience.

Mobile-Friendly: It ensures your business info looks great and is easily accessible on mobile devices.

You can get started here

The New Trend

Technology trends are making the problem of business location insignificant.

Remote work, e-commerce, digital marketing, cloud computing, virtual meetings, and global connectivity are reshaping the business landscape, allowing businesses to operate from anywhere and reach customers globally.

Some of the benefits include:

Flexibility in operations and work arrangements.
Cost savings on office spaces and infrastructure.
Global reach and expanded market opportunities.
Improved efficiency through technology tools.
Access to a broader talent pool.
Environmental benefits and sustainability.
Business continuity during challenging times.
Encourages innovation and adaptability.

FAQs

What Are the 5 Key Factors in Selecting a Business Location?

The five key factors in selecting a business location are:

1. Accessibility

2. Demographics and target market

3. Competitor analysis

4. Infrastructure and amenities

5. Cost considerations

What Are the Steps That You Did in Choosing the Right Place for Your Business?

Step one: I dove into market research. I wanted to find the most promising business opportunities out there. I looked at the people around my target location and discovered that a busy street in a residential neighborhood was the place to be.

Step two: I analyzed the demographics and behavior of my ideal customers. Turns out, most of the people passing by were young adults 23 and above. That meant lots of potential customers and foot traffic was good. Perfect for a provision store!

Step three: I checked out the competition. I wanted to know who I was up against and how I could stand out. By studying their prices and overall performance, I gained a competitive edge. Retail was the way to go.

Step four: I carefully assessed the buildings and my chances of making a profit. It wasn’t easy, though. Transportation was a big challenge for both locations.

Step five: Cost considerations couldn’t be ignored. But I also thought about other factors like how familiar I was with the location if it matched my business vision and values.

Why Is the City the Best Location for Business?

The city is often considered the best location for businesses due to several reasons.

Cities offer a larger customer base, better accessibility with transportation networks, developed infrastructure, electricity, and numerous business support services.

Also, cities provide you the opportunities to make friends, a range of amenities, and access to market trends and innovation.

Factors Affecting Location Decisions in Nigeria:

Market demand
Accessibility
Infrastructure
Labor availability
Competition
Cost
Regulatory environment
Target market
Supportive ecosystem

Before You Go…

Whether you choose a physical location or go for the new trend of remote work, finding the right business location in Nigeria is super important.

Take into account all the factors I mentioned and follow the steps I’ve given you. This will increase your chances of finding the perfect spot that will help your business thrive.

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