Just as your website is the online face of your company, your business signs represent your company in the physical world. They are usually the first interaction a potential customer has with your business, and they will make an impression. The cool thing about business signage is that you get to decide what impression they will make on people! Your business signage allows you to communicate your business name and brand, and “sell” your business in your absence. When done correctly, smart business signage is a great way to obtain new customers.
Even if your business doesn’t run from a public, bricks and mortar location – don’t count yourself out for benefiting from the advantages of good signage. Keep reading to learn how you can take brand awareness building signage with you wherever you go!
Your signs do a lot more than simply inform people of your business name and information. Customers make a whole lot of assumptions about a business based on the attractiveness and positive impact of their signage. These assumptions carry over to how they perceive the quality of your products or services. So, when someone is looking at your business sign, they are consciously or unconsciously making decisions about you – are you a quality company, are you professional, does your brand impress them, are they interested in finding out more about you. Wow, so that’s pretty important stuff!
Brand awareness is the extent to which the public is able to recognize or recall your business (name, logo, images) brand. A consumer’s ability to recognize your brand is crucial to their purchasing decision. After all, if they can’t remember you, how would they make the decision to buy from you?! When your potential customers are familiar with the qualities and images that distinguish your particular goods or services, it directly impacts your sales.
People like familiarity. The consistent visual message you send with your business graphics through signage allows customers to actually begin a relationship with your business. This increases brand loyalty. Because they see your brand (signs) repeatedly, they begin to feel a closeness with your business. People will even refer businesses just because they are familiar with the brand, even if they haven’t purchased.
Business signs are your most visible and immediate form of communication. Customers make decisions about the quality of your products or services based on the quality and attractiveness of your signs! Your business signs represent your most visible form of communication on a wide scale – everyone can see it! Your signs do much more than promote your business name. Customers (and potential customers) make quick decisions about if and how they will interact with your business based on your signs.
Every business must stand out among their competitors. This is a considerable challenge for all businesses, and those with an opportunity to have signs actually have a huge advantage. Good business signage can be the differentiator between a customer choosing your business versus going to “the other guy” down the street. Unique and creative signs can attract customers just passing by, and draw them into your business instead of having them keep on walking down the street to your competitor.
Signs are more than attractive placards and wayfinding solutions. Signage can be an essential component of your marketing strategy for your business. Both small and large businesses benefit considerably from using signs as marketing tools. Sure, newspaper ads and brochures are great, but your signage is an exterior marketing campaign working for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!
Just like other marketing materials, your signs need to be consistent with your other branding, using the same logo, fonts, colors, and other visual themes consistently. This helps your brand become recognizable to people, and builds that brand loyalty mentioned earlier.
Considering the costs of other print materials, consistently running print advertisements, and the expense of digital marketing, signs are extremely cost-effective. With lifespans of years, costing out signage is pennies a day to market your business to everyone around you!
Someone once said, “A business without a sign is a sign of no business.” We agree! Businesses report an average increase in sales of at least 10% when a sign is added, replaced, or updated. Complimentary signage highlighting specials, products or additional services will increase traffic to your business even more.
If you want to increase your sales, focus on growing your customer base. The quickest and easiest way to do this is with business signage. Well-designed, quality signs generate new foot traffic and unplanned impulse stops.
Be sure to consider the best placement for your signs. Outdoor signage and window graphics significantly impact how your business will perform because, of course, people need to find you easily. Additionally, A-Frame sandwich boards and teardrop flags can draw people in off the street, and the checkout area can inspire last minute purchases.
If you aren’t a bricks and mortar business, don’t think signage won’t help you. Business signs can be created to go with you wherever you go. One of the most powerful and versatile forms of business signage is vehicle advertising via vehicle lettering and advertising wraps. Vehicle advertising is like leaving a giant business card on the street when you meet with clients, park at business functions, or just stop at the market. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to make your vehicle a moving billboard for your business!
If you participate in tradeshows, speak at events, or sponsor organizations and causes, movable business signage is perfect to build brand awareness and market your business on the go. Consider creating banners for tables, standing teardrop flags for reception areas, and any host of eye-catching signage for your next tradeshow booth. A yard sign is a perfect way to advertise your support at a community event, or involvement in a project.
Business signage can no longer be an afterthought. It should be part of your overall business marketing plan. Signs allow you to promote your business and contact information, highlight your products and services, and draw in new customers.
At Sebago Signworks & Vehicle Advertising, we are here to help! Our team of gifted designers love to think outside the box and help create unique ways to get your business message out. Our state of the art technology, quality materials, and large-format printers allow us to produce many projects in-house for fast, reliable service. Please CONTACT US so we can discuss your sign project. Virtual consultations available.