When was the last time you took a good long look at the signage outside and inside your brick-and-mortar business? Over time, your signage can fade, crack, and even become irrelevant.
Why does this matter?
“So what” if it has a small crack, or the surrounding vegetation has left lime-green stains on it? After all, a sign is a sign, right?
Far from it.
A few years ago, FedEx Office
ran a survey that found a few interesting facts about brick-and-mortar store signage:
- 8 out of 10 people entered a store they have never visited prior based on the signage.
- 7 out of 10 people purchased a product based solely upon signage.
- 3 out of 4 people have told a friend or family member about a store due to the signage.
- 50% of survey respondents reported that they would not enter a business with poor signage.
Now is the perfect time to perform an audit of the external and internal signage of your business. We want to share with you a few tips on what to look for and how you can ensure that your signage is attracting folks—and not scaring them off.
Are Your Outdoor Signs Visible?
Remember the old saying, “
you never get a second chance to make a first impression”? That sage advice is nowhere more relevant than the signage that resides outside of your business.
Dirty, cracked, or obstructed outdoor signage tells a lot about a business. It gives off the impression that the owner doesn’t care or has a lackluster approach to business. If there’s overgrown vegetation, grab a pair of shears or hire a gardener to clean it up.
If your sign is damaged or has outdated information, now is the time to consider a brand new
building sign.
What about your
wayfinding signage? If your business is located in a crowded area, proper directional signage can help new customers find your location a lot easier.
Faded Signage
The Alexandria and Arlington sun can be relentless when it comes to outdoor signage. If the previous company who designed your signs didn’t use weather and UV-resistant inks and finishes, there’s a good chance your current signage will or already is cracking and fading.
For example, if you run a restaurant and have a permanent
outdoor banner that’s faded, tattered, and haphazardly blowing in the wind—this gives off the subconscious impression that not only are your outdoor signs are stale and old—so is the food that you serve.
At AlphaGraphics of Alexandria and Arlington, we can custom-create outdoor signage that will stand up to anything mother nature can throw at it. Your sign will continue to look good through years of rain, sleet, sun, and snow.
Updated Branding
Have you updated your
company branding over the years, but your signs still reflect the old info? A new logo, new tagline, or even new business colors should be congruent with your signage. This applies to both internal and external signage.
Do you have old promotional signage that’s still hanging from the ceiling of your roof? Or perhaps you’ve changed your returns or other store policies? If you don’t update your signage accordingly, it can lead to confusion—and in some cases, an angry customer.
By offering your store patrons a consistent branding experience, you’ll help promote and develop brand loyalty and trust. Something as seemingly simple as
employee name badges and name tags can have an effect upon trust—if they have old, tattered, or faded nametags, what will your customers think?
Updated ADA Signage
When was the last time you looked at the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signage requirements for your business?
Have the rules changed since you first installed your signs? Are the signs cracked, faded, or contain misinformation?
In addition to potentially having huge fines levied at your business, poor ADA signage will prevent people from patronizing your business and having a good experience. If you’re not up to date on the ADA signage requirements for your local area, we can help.
At AlphaGraphics of Alexandria and Arlington VA., we keep up-to-date on the latest sign regulations and can help you determine what signs you need to remain in compliance with the local, state, and Federal laws regarding ADA signage.
Our
expert designers can help you create the perfect sign that will let people with disabilities know that they’re not only welcome but able to patronize your business.
Messaging
The messaging of a sign is one of the most significant areas where many businesses lose out on new business. At some point in time, they’ve offered a new service, yet there is no mention of it on their signage.
For example, let’s say that you’re a local house painter, and you’ve recently started to offer carpentry services because they both go hand-in-hand.
Have you updated your signage to let potential new customers know about this new offering? If someone has a rotted backyard deck, it’s nice to know that they won’t have to go through the process of researching and vetting a painter AND a carpenter. You’ll handle everything, thereby saving them time and money.
Signage Design and Creation in Alexandria and Arlington
The signage outside and inside your store can significantly help improve business as well as brand loyalty. If your signs have seen better days or you need a refresh, give the experts at Alphagraphics of Alexandria Va. and Arlington Va. a call.
We’ve helped countless Alexandria businesses and organizations over the years design and create the perfect sign. If you’d like to learn more about our design or event sign services, give us a call at (703) 549-2432 or
contact us on our website.