Outdoor business signs are an item that every business owner considers in their advertising strategy. However, very few business owners actually comprehend all of the numerous benefits available from custom outdoor business signs.
Before discussing the different types of outdoor business signs that can benefit your business, let's first explain why you should add them.
How Outdoor Business Signs Can Be Used
An outdoor business sign can be used for many different purposes. While it's easy for most signs to blend into the background, they are actually serving many important functions throughout the day (and sometimes night).
Some of these functions include:
Advertising: Many signs that you see along the road and highway (such as billboards and signs above businesses) are meant to advertise a business, products, or services. A sign that promotes a product should be pretty versatile and adjustable when you have a different product to advertise.
Directions to your location: A location finder sign will mainly help drivers on the road find your location, i.e. "take highway 95 and turn right."
Indoor directions: A direction finder sign is different from a location finder in that it will direct people to specific sections of a building (such as restrooms).
Setting the mood: An important function of an outdoor business sign is to help set a person's mood before they enter your establishment. That way, everything goes smoothly for the best possible outcomes.
So Why Invest in Custom Outdoor Business Signs?
If signage isn't already a part of your marketing strategy, you're likely missing out on many of the benefits offered by outdoor business signs.
Additionally, if you do have signage, but it hasn't been updated in a while or doesn't represent your business anymore, then you're also losing out. An old worn-out sign isn't going to make people excited or inspire confidence in your business. But, if you utilize a modern and up-to-date sign, then you'll draw people in much easier.
Now that you know the main benefits and functions of outdoor business signs let's go over some of the best options.
8 Best Types of Outdoor Signs for Your Business
Using custom outdoor business signs is a very cost-efficient way to advertise. Ideally, it will match your budget and business while helping you get more exposure. These 8 types of outdoor signs can be used to boost your business significantly.
1. Window Graphics
A great way to draw in customers as they walk by is with vinyl window graphics. They are also excellent for helping to identify your business, as well as the products and services that you offer. Anyone nearby your front door will notice these custom outdoor business signs.
2. Vehicle Graphics and Wraps
Since you'll likely be driving around the community that you do business in anyway, what better way to advertise on the go than to turn your vehicle into an advertisement? If you want to maximize your time and exposure, then this type of outdoor business sign is second to none. Think about all those times you're out making deliveries or doing service calls. And you should also include the time you aren't in your vehicle, such as when it's in the parking lot. The possibilities for getting more exposure this way are endless.
3. Monument Signs
Monument signs lay low to the ground and thus keep a relatively low profile. They are available in several different types, including high-density foam, brick, wood, and concrete. Common locations for this type of sign include parking lot entrances, community entrances, entrances to buildings, and just entrances in general. A monument sign could feature a single company or a list of different tenants in a complex, for example.
4. Sidewalk Signs
When a customer is near your front door, you can snag their attention with a sidewalk sign. Sidewalk signs are highly adaptable. For example, you can remove a sign from the frame and easily change it with something else when the time calls for it. Alternatively, it could just be a simple whiteboard sign so that you could change your message as needed. The main advantage of this kind of outdoor business sign is that you can remove and replace it when necessary. Of course, it's great for getting more foot traffic into your business as well!
5. Blade Signs - Illuminated and Non-Illuminated
This type of outdoor business sign hangs right off the edge of a wall outside. Their primary purpose is to help pedestrians locate the entrance to your business. Depending on the visibility outside, the sign can be illuminated or non-illuminated. They are called blade signs due to their sharp and usually thin/sleek edges.
6. Directional Signs
Another type of sign that helps people find their way is directional signage. These are usually used to help people find specific businesses within a complex. They're also used on roads to help guide vehicles and pedestrians. Their uses are limitless – whether it be assisting people in finding a parking spot or a specific building inside a business park, these signs are essential to prevent people from getting lost.
7. Pole Signs
You don't have to guess much about what this sign looks like. It's just a sign on a pole. These signs are usually electrical and represent one company only. Their purpose is to get the attention of people from afar. Certain varieties of pole signs include a second section with adjustable lettering to display different kinds of messages.
8. Wall Signs
When it comes to custom outdoor business signs, these usually go on the wall above your building entrance. They come in various sizes and shapes. A wall sign could just be a flat panel with graphics. However, you can also find them placed in a lit acrylic box. Individual dimensional lettering is also an option. But what about a front-lit wall sign? Well, these actually light up internally but shine outward via acrylic faces. And similarly, backlit wall signs are true to their name; the light comes from the back of the sign and creates more of a glow effect than the "flashlight" effect from front-lit signs. Of course, a wall sign doesn't have to be electrical. It could even be lit up from a different power source altogether.