Proper signage is crucial for every business looking to expand their customer base. An attractive sign will help you stand out from competition and differentiate you from others on the same street as your business.

Your sign is one of the most cost-effective forms of marketing, but that doesn’t mean it will last forever and that definitely doesn’t mean it will never need to be rethought!

Image via Flickr by Todd Nienkerk

Location, lighting, materials, wording—these are just a few of the important factors that need to be considered when creating the perfect sign for your company. As the business (and sign) owner it can be easy to overlook your sign, but your customers and potential customers definitely aren’t!

It’s time you took a good hard look at your sign with the following criteria in mind. You may find that your most visible physical marketing is in need of an update!

Location

When choosing a location for your sign it is important to take readability into account. You want customers to be able to read it from a distance, so your sign should be larger depending on how far from a road your business is located.

It can be useful to locate the sign near a road for customers driving by so they do not have to turn their heads too far. Otherwise you will want it located as close to your business as possible.

Lighting

Is your business open and receiving customers early in the morning or late at night? Do you live in a timezone where daylight savings steals sunlight every year? Not all business signs need to be illuminated, but if yours does, you had better make sure it is!

There are a variety of options for lighted exterior signs. LED signs offer the flexibility of changing the message after it is installed, neon signs are cost-effective and retro, and lightbox signs offer a large degree of cost-effective design freedom, allowing for visually appealing and eye-catching signage. You can also use floodlights to illuminate just about any sign, regardless of location!

Ultimately, the lighting solution you land on will depend on the type of sign, the needs of your business, and your budget.

Age

Old signs typically fade over time, and sometimes messaging, logos, and the basic designs can simply become outdated. Does your sign still represent you and look current, or is it so dated and faded that people aren’t sure you’re still in business?

When considering a new sign to combat the years, the most important decision is the material used.Depending on your environment, aluminum, hard laminate or wood could be the best option. Wood signs take the most work to maintain, as they need wood preserver and polyurethane sealers needed to protect them from fading, cracking and peeling.

Quality

Along with the above factors, you must consider the potential customers that will view your sign, and the information they want to know.

If your business is not a household name, then the sign should describe what you do. If customers continue to ask the same question, you may wish to answer that on the sign as well. If your sign is meant for customers driving by then you want the sign to be short and simple.

The signage in front of your business will leave an impression on both current and potential customers, but it’s up to you to determine whether this will be positive or negative.

Whenever possible, it is best to locate your sign near a road. Having a lighted sign, or using floodlights, goes a long way in improving your sign’s readability. When getting a new sign, or replacing an old one, be sure the materials you choose will withstand the weather and other environmental factors in your region. Finally, your sign should be brief, while still answering the most common questions customers have about your business.

So next time you have a minute at work, go outside and turn around. Spend some time looking at your sign and consider whether it’s helping or hurting. If your sign isn’t presenting your business in a unique and exciting way, talk to BSC Signs and request a quote!

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