There’s a lot more to it than meets the eye when it comes to business signs. Many businesses tend to treat their signage as “set it and forget it,” however, they often run into problems when they least expect it.
At AlphaGraphics of Alexandria and Arlington, we’ve helped the local community design, create, and install signage that makes a huge impact. Read on to learn more about the ten biggest signage mistakes we’ve seen over the years.
Forgetting About Permits
Some outdoor signs require a permit before you can install them. The Zoning Ordinance of the City of Alexandria, Virginia,
Article IX, has all the information you need to know about the various regulations pertaining to displaying outdoor signage.
The penalties for ignoring the rules can be huge—hefty fines that are assessed daily (including weekends). This is why it’s so important to check with the local permit office to see exactly what you need to do to ensure that your business and new
outdoor signage are in compliance.
Taking Signage for Granted
As a business owner, you probably could draw a picture of your business with your eyes closed—and rightfully so. You see all aspects of your business on a daily basis, and nothing escapes your eagle eye—or so you think.
As human beings, we’re accustomed to viewing life in recognizable patterns, and it’s just how we operate. As such, you might not notice that the
Hours of Operation sign on the front of your door has outdated information. Or that the huge
building sign on the front of your property has started to yellow with age.
A regular signage audit conducted every quarter (or even at the end of every month) will help to ensure that your signs stay looking good and have updated information. Consider taking an employee or two with you as you audit your internal and external signage. They might notice a thing or two that you’ve missed.
Running Afoul of the ADA
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires certain types of signage in and around your property, and many business owners either forget or are unaware of the regulations regarding
ADA signage.
Fines and penalties can be huge and severe. However, there’s another, more important reason as to why you should conduct an ADA signage audit—having proper signage helps disabled people find your business and allows them to make their way in life.
Be kind to your fellow human beings.
Ignoring Safety Signage
Unscheduled OSHA audits can be a royal pain. Their inspectors will literally put on the white gloves and look at every square inch of your business. This is why it’s essential to conduct an internal audit to ensure that you have proper
regulatory and safety signage installed in and around your business.
If auditing your business signage will take too long or you’re not sure what you’re required to have, give the experts at AlphaGraphics of Alexandria and Arlington a call. Our team stays on top of the location-specific laws and requirements.
We can help you navigate the often-confusing maze of rules and regulations so that you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your business is now in compliance. We can perform all aspects—from sign design to copywriting to creation to installation.
Ignoring Temporary Exterior Signage
No matter where in Alexandria or Arlington your business or organization is located, guys wearing bright yellow construction hats will start to appear en masse and make a huge mess while erecting tall walls that block the street view of your building.
Sound familiar?
While most business owners take it in stride, quite a few forget to install
temporary exterior signage. Despite the comings and goings of construction workers coupled with loud machinery noises, people are still looking to find your business.
Consider adding
temporary wayfinding signage that will help direct people around the noise and fences and into your front doors. You can also consider sending your customer list and email or
direct mailer and holding a tongue-in-cheek “Construction Celebration Event” where you have a flash sale or offer a percentage-off discount.
Indoor and Outdoor Sign Design and Creation in Alexandria and Arlington
We hope you’ve learned something new from our “Signage mistakes to avoid” blog post. If you find yourself reading this, take a few minutes to perform a quick audit of your internal and external signage in and around your business. You might notice a thing or two amiss that’s been sneaking by your eagle eyes for quite some time.
Over the years, we’ve helped countless Alexandria and Arlington businesses, individuals, and organizations create amazing and impactful signage. If you’d like to learn more about our copywriting services, give us a call at (703) 549-2432 or
contact us on our website.