A sign represents your brand's visual identity. It usually lasts for many years to come. So, buying signs of any sort can be a big purchasing decision. Furthermore, selecting a signage company that can produce a high enough quality sign to persevere through the changing seasons is very important.
So, we've got a few tips here to help you find the right signage company.
1. How Long Have They Been in Business?
Ask yourself this question – will the company have the capability of supporting your display for its full lifetime?
When your sign is the visual representation of your brand, then you should only put your trust in a business with a proven track record of success. The number of years they have been in business is a good way of measuring that success. If the company has existed for more than 25 years, then chances are they will still be in business for the lifetime of your signage. On the other hand, if a company has only been in business for a few years, it isn't as likely.
Sign displays are made to last ten to 15 years on average. Even if they only use the best quality materials, the sign will still need maintenance or servicing within its lifetime.
Ensure that your signage provider can continue supporting you with components and parts needed for the sign throughout the warranty period and beyond.
2. Membership Associations
Are they a participant in the signage industry?
In every industry, there are membership associations that companies can join. The signage industry is not an exception. From the local scale to the national scale, these professional associations indicate that the company is credible and actively involved in the industry and continues to grow with dedication.
3. Experience and Industry-Specific Information
The next question is, does the business have the necessary experience in manufacturing your type of sign?
Keep in mind that if their proposal sounds too good to be true, then it likely is. While creating exterior signage isn't rocket science, it still requires industry-specific information in regards to best-practices. And in terms of offering the best products, it takes unique trade skills to create signs built to last.
4. Managing Projects
Part of managing projects effectively is being able to work with other trades on the job site. Your project might end up coinciding side by side with other professions. During your research, try to find out if they can work efficiently in this environment and meet the challenges that can arise in a shared working environment.
5. View Their Facility
The best way to get to know a company is by visiting their shop, touring their facility, and meeting the staff you'll be working with. A reputable signage business would be delighted to give you a (safe) tour of their manufacturing facility and elaborate on the techniques and methods they employ. You'll also get a bird's eye view of their daily working operations.
6. How Does Their Website Look?
The first place you should start your search for the best signage company is online. Read reviews, research affiliations, and check out their website thoroughly. Suppose their website is designed well and updated regularly. In that case, that's a good indicator that the business is staying up to date with everything else. If their website is outdated, it suggests the opposite – that the company is stuck in the past.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is also another source of information that can give you a decent look at the business's reputation.
7. Talk With Their Former Customers
You wouldn't consider hiring an employee without checking out their references, so why should it be different for a signage company? As we mentioned above, you can check a company's reputation in the BBB. But beyond that, you can get in touch with past customers to get a better idea of what you'll deal with.
You'll gain insight into the following vital questions:
Do they complete work on time as promised?
How is their customer service? Are they responsive to queries?
Were expectations met when it came to costs? Or were there hidden fees later on that weren't mentioned upfront?
8. Their Commitment to Safety
A business's sign is usually located above their entrance. This means that installing the sign will require the company to work close to your customers and staff who will be coming and going each day.
A legitimate signage company will take the safety of everyone seriously – including your people and their's. There should be a section on their website dedicated to discussing their commitment to safe work practices.
9. Determine the Right Company Match
Like with personal relationships, you and your signage company need to be a good fit for each other. Signage companies exist in many different forms. Some only specialize in vehicle wraps and window graphics. In contrast, others might only make displays but don't have the capability of installing them.
So before you start your search, dedicate time to meet with your team and discuss the unique needs you have for your sign. Only by knowing this will you be able to effectively research signage companies.
Here are a few questions to discuss with your team:
What kind of sign will you need? (menu board, illuminated exterior sign, POS, pylon sign, interior wayfinding, etc.)
Will you require maintenance or installation services?
Will you need any help in creating the design?
10. Knowledge of Local Conditions
The final thing to consider is the prospective company's knowledge about your local area and regulations.
The market can vary drastically, even between nearby cities and towns. There is often specific legislation for signs in particular and local trends to take into account. A local company should be more familiar with your locality. If they have the experience, then they will be even better than a signage company from a different area.
And of course, don't forget to check out their previous work. If the paint is already faded in their previous sign displays or the vinyl is peeling off after just a few years, then steer clear. The company might talk a big game, but the quality clearly doesn't measure up.
If you are ready to get your new company sign designed and installed, contact Midtown Signs in Kansas City!