Start with total passing footfall
Total footfall is the clearest baseline: how many people pass the observation point during the same time window? Use it to compare broad exposure, then add more specific dimensions only when they change the decision.
Direction changes visibility
Left- and right-moving flows may see different signage, approach different entrances, or connect to different transit and commercial anchors. Counting direction can reveal whether the useful flow reaches the storefront from the right side.
Audience fit matters more than raw volume
A smaller stream with more people who resemble the intended audience can be more valuable than a large, poorly matched flow. Define the target criteria before the round and keep the categories mutually exclusive.
Entry rate connects passing flow to the venue
For an operating location, compare passersby with entries or pickups. This does not prove why people entered, but it gives you a consistent observation that can be repeated before and after a change.
Time windows and context prevent false comparisons
Compare like with like: similar weekdays, operating hours, weather, holidays, and event conditions. Notes make unusual rounds easier to recognize later.
Use repeat rounds, not a single impressive number
Repeat the same method at each candidate site. Review complete-round averages, peaks, and individual rounds together so one unusually busy window does not dominate the decision.