How Small Retailers Can Benefit From a Custom Business Sign

Small retail stores face a lot of competition from bigger retailers as well as online stores. Instore and online shoppers never tire of browsing through beautiful displays and reading informative product descriptions. But in order to build a retail business, store owners need to be creative in how they set up their storage space and attract customers who are browsing for products that may even be cheaper at big retailers. 

One way to do so is by creating custom business signs, which can include images or logos that reflect the style and personality of their small businesses. Business signs serve the purpose of making an impression on shoppers and act as a way to grab their attention. In this blog post, we introduce some tips to help small retailers create custom business signs that will boost their sales through the help of a custom sign company or by themselves.

1. Create a Theme for Your Business

A theme makes it easier for customers to find your store among other similar businesses. For example, if you own a pet store that sells dog food and accessories, you could create a dog/pet-related theme with your business name as the title and have images or logos of dogs or cats on your business sign. It would be appropriate for you to display pictures of your products on the sign.

2. Create a Memorable Design

You can create a memorable design for your business sign using any graphics program, but the important thing is to make your business sign stand out among others in the same industry. You will be surprised at how creative you can get in making an unforgettable image or logo that portrays your personality and style as a retailer.

3. Promote Your Business With a Catchy Slogan

You can create an effective, eye-catching, and memorable slogan to promote your store by using a combination of words and images or an acronym. It should sound pleasant to customers and be easy to remember as well. For example, if you own a pet store that sells dog food and accessories, you could create a catchy slogan such as "All Dogs Go To Heaven."

4. Encourage Repeat Business With Discounts

Small retailers can encourage repeat business with promotional discount offers that are exclusive to their customers. Examples include 10% off your first purchase or an additional 10% off if you purchase more than one product. Customers love getting such offers as it makes them feel special and valued, and they will most likely become loyal customers in the future.

5. Encourage Customers to Post on Social Media With Attractive Discount Offers

Customers will return if they develop an emotional bond with you and your products. Use social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram to promote discounts. Show off a carefully selected selection of your best products and make them irresistible to shoppers who love shopping for more than one product at a time.

6. Promote Your Business at Trade Shows

A well-designed business sign will attract customers to your store, but you can also increase the number of customers that come into your store by exhibiting at trade shows. It is an effective way of reaching out to a large number of potential customers who are looking for products and services that you offer.

7. Create a Fun and Unique Design

Many small retailers can benefit from attending business seminars or workshops on retail business. There are many useful and innovative ideas to help retailers attract customers and increase sales. For example, you can create a unique collection of products for sale, such as pet toys, clothes, accessories, and food that have a cute appeal to them. Don't forget to display them in your store with cute business signs that reflect their fun appeal.

What Are the Most Cost-Effective Signage Ideas?

There are many custom business signs that can be added to your store, so if you have a limited budget, here are five ideas to help you save more money.

1. A-Frame Signs

A-frame signs are convenient and cost-efficient signs for small retailers. They could be placed in both indoor and outdoor areas of your store, and the biggest benefit is that they are easy to make. They can be made from cardboard or plywood, which is enough to attract customers to your business.

2. Monument Signs

If you have a building that has a large space, you could install a monument sign. It is customizable, and it has the potential to attract customers because most of them like grand and impressive signs. For example, if you are selling flowers, it makes sense to create an attractive shape of a bouquet with blooming flowers on your business sign.

3. Bar Signs

For retailers that sell alcohol, there is an appealing way to encourage repeat business with bar signs. It can be made from wood or metal, and it is easy to display as it is placed on a counter. It will encourage customers who are shopping for food and drinks to visit your store.

4. Wall Murals, Prints, and Graphics Materials

Many small retailers can apply graphics materials such as wallpaper, prints, and posters that look like natural scenery to their stores. Customers will get excited if they see a beautiful, realistic image or logo on their business sign. It will encourage repeat customers and reinforce the brand or personal message you stand for.

5. Mobile Signage

A mobile sign is a billboard that is parked in front of your business with the name of your store and contact details printed on it. It is an effective way of promoting your business on a budget, especially if you have a small or large parking lot. All you need is to rent a truck and a trailer to set it up for your customers.

6. Changeable Letter Signs

A changeable letter sign is made from materials such as plastic or metal, and it is easy to carry from one location to another. It can be posted in front of your store, or it can be rotated with different business names on your store for an effective sign that promotes repeat business.

Conclusion

Now that you know what kind of business signs to use, there is only one important question left: How much will it cost you? Well, small retailers rarely pay thousands of dollars to a custom sign company for their custom-made business signs because there are many cost-effective and convenient ways to advertise their businesses. If you follow the tips we discussed in this article, your business will definitely benefit from more traffic and sales from repeat customers. 

If you need a custom business sign, contact our team here at Midtown Signs today! We would be happy to discuss the cost with you and get you a quote right away. 

3 Key Ways That Vehicle Wraps Can Reinforce Your Brand

Business owners need to always find different ways to stand out. There is a lot of competition going on, after all. They need to always be visible to consumers without overspending on marketing. Using vehicle wraps will increase the presence of your business. It will leave a lasting impression and make your brand memorable.

Our local sign company in Kansas City can help out with effective marketing. Traditional marketing tactics such as vehicle wraps can reinforce your brand. It's the key to having an eye-catching yet professional way of marketing your business. Using the right design for vehicle wraps plus social media presence will greatly benefit your business marketing.

1. Gives the Customer Confidence

When the consumers have not heard or seen your brand, they might feel that it's risky to do business with you. Our local sign company in Kansas City can help by giving potential customers more confidence in your business. Remember that most consumers will not risk having a bad experience with unknown companies.

Benefits of Vehicle Graphics:

• The right vehicle graphics will make your business look more legit.

• It will make the customers confident that they will get their money's worth.

• Having a professional presentation will make your business stand out.

• Vehicle wraps can increase your brand's reliability.

• It will entice consumers to prefer your business over the competitors.

2. Brand Recognition

Using vehicle wraps can increase your company's visibility. People can see your brand wherever you go. It's an effective way of marketing that will help with brand recognition over time. When people see your vehicle, they will remember to buy from you. It will improve sales since consumers like seeing visual representation before buying.

Seeing your vehicle wrap will also provide social proof that your business exists. When they see your company vehicle, it will entice people to also prefer your company. Seeing your vehicle on the job will make people trust your brand more. When they see that other people are buying your products, others will feel confident to buy from you as well.

3. Enhances the Advertisement

Using vehicle graphics is one of the most cost-effective ways to market your business. If you're using a company vehicle, it should reach thousands of potential customers out there. Make sure to use vehicle wraps to increase your chances of becoming more visible. It also enhances the advertisement that you're currently using.

Advertising on billboards is very expensive compared to vehicle wraps. Fighting for prime spots may not be worth it if you're still a startup. This traditional way of advertising is ideal for huge brands. Vehicle wraps will not only help you to reach more people. It's also a one-time expense, and you can use it for marketing for a long time.

What Are the Types of Vehicle Graphics?

a. Full or Partial Wraps

If you want to use vehicle graphics, you can choose between full or partial wraps. It will help your brand to be recognized and provide a positive image. A local sign company in Kansas City may use vinyl to cover your vehicle. These large sheets will be heated to wrap around your car.

These vehicle wraps are durable, so you can use them for a long time. If you want to remove them after a certain period, you can do so. It's best to keep them on for as long as you can to use them for marketing your business longer. Vehicle wraps can make your brand stand out without overspending.

b. Spot Graphics

Spot graphics are self-adhesive that can provide an easy way of advertising your business. This is a vehicle lettering, and it will be attached to the vinyl. They are recommended to use for promotions since they can provide a fast turnaround. It's a good marketing strategy for your company car.

These are also affordable and a good alternative for fill or partial wraps. If you don't want to cover up your vehicle, spot graphics are the best choice. This is designed to fit the color and body of your vehicle. It will not cover up the entire vehicle, but it can still have a great impact on your marketing.

c. Magnetic Signs

If you're looking for a cost-effective but simple design for your company vehicle, magnetic signs will work for you. It will provide amazing vehicle branding. Unlike other types of vehicle wraps, magnetic signs can be moved in different parts of your vehicle. It's fade-proof and easy to clean if you decide to place it in other areas of your vehicle.

What Are the Benefits of Using Vehicle Wraps for Marketing?

1. Low-Cost Awareness

Vehicle wraps can be used to market your business anytime. It's a low-cost type of advertising without spending more for additional reach. These vehicle wraps can last for at least five years. It's an affordable investment and can work for any type of business.

This form of marketing is known to be the most cost-effective. They can give you a lot of impressions without paying more. Other traditional marketing tools will make you pay extra. Vehicle wraps will only cost a one-time installation and can generate up to 30,000 impressions daily.

2. Strategic Versatility

Using vehicle wraps provides you the opportunity to get as many impressions as you can. It can be used in the short or long term. You can use it as a promotional tool or a long-term advertisement. Don't worry about the design since you can choose if you want it to be a full or partial wrap.

3. Targets Local Consumers

Company vehicles usually drive or park around the neighborhood. It can be used to deliver goods or provide service. Adding a vehicle wrap will make people aware of your business. It can get the attention of people, even if it's just parking. Vehicle wraps will provide more sales and customers for your business locally.

4. Consistency

Using vehicle wraps can make your campaign consistent. Whether you're driving or parking the company vehicle, people will see it. Your brand will appear and feel more reliable that way. Aside from the marketing benefits, vehicle wraps can also protect the vehicle. It can be weatherproof, and you can also have a fixed cost with advertising. 

How to Use a Custom Sign to Create Ambiance for Your Restaurant

Does your restaurant have a story to share? When you create an ambiance for your restaurant, people tend to immediately think about art, color, flooring, furniture, and so on. However, it's important not to neglect signage. Your restaurant sign is a critical component of your restaurant's overall décor package.

You must have heard the saying, "if these walls could talk…." Guess what? Walls do talk, and everybody listens.

Midtown Signs is a commercial signage company that helps to raise its customers' revenue by creating the best commercial signage in Kansas City as well as the midwest. And your walls (both exterior and interior) are excellent places to share your story with people. Therefore, if you set the scene right and make good on your promises to customers, delivering the goods and services they expect, then your restaurant will be set up for success in your community.

Why Invest in Restaurant Signs for Business Ambiance?

Think outside the box! Allow your brand colors and story to spill over onto the walls, around corners, and across the floors. A commercial signage company will help you set up your business in the following ways:

• Customer experience

• Values

• Brand personality

• Identity

• Messaging

Your brand is unique, after all. Also, what a brand represents is usually intangible. Oftentimes, it's only a feeling. Midtown Signs will manufacture, build, and install the best commercial signage that perfectly encapsulates your restaurant's personality in a physical, three-dimensional, and colorful way.

When you invest in the best restaurant signage, it's a win for everybody – the diners, staff, and restaurant owners. That's because having the proper atmosphere in your store will encourage customers to stay and drink more, eat more, and spend more time in your restaurant.

Additionally, they'll be motivated to share their experience on social media, recommend your restaurant to their friends, and become repeat customers. Word of mouth is the greatest method of marketing at your disposal because it gives your business a more permanent place in your community. In other words, it adds longevity.

Here are more benefits of investing in commercial restaurant signage:

• More foot traffic into your restaurant

• More chances of getting shared across social media

• Better tips from customers

• Happier employees

• Making full use of empty space

• An excellent way to generate word of mouth advertising

• Increase your following on social media

• More drink and food sales

• High-quality design that reflects well on your business

• A high-quality sign will engage and excite customers.

Put Yourself in the Customer's Place

Lots of restaurant owners believe that all that's required is to put up a few signs outdoors, and everyone will just rush inside. However, customers today are too smart for that. While it's true that the customer experience starts in the parking lot, it also will continue once they exit the building (and even when visiting the restrooms).

Ask yourself what you think your customers are feeling when they enter your restaurant? How would you feel when entering a restaurant similar to yours? What sort of things are your customers expecting? Do you meet and exceed their expectations, or just do the bare minimum that's necessary?

Here is a list of signs that are both functional and decorative:

• Floor signage

• Interior signage

• Wall graphics

• Custom outdoor signage

• Façade signage

• Exterior signage

• Hanging signage

• Environmental graphics

• Wayfinding signs

• Ground signage

• Window and door signage

• Storefront signage

When your restaurant's environment matches your branding, its personality will be expressed via color palettes, graphic elements, typography, and brand assets. When used appropriately on the surfaces in your restaurant, diners will feel encouraged to interact.

Dazzle Diners With Colorful Restaurant Signage and Décor

Now, after you've put yourself in your customer's position and thought about some potential types of signage you could use, it's time to get into the nitty-gritty. Let's talk about color psychology and why you should consider the benefits of digital signage for creating ambiance in your restaurant.

Your décor and signage are an excellent method of calling attention to your restaurant as well as conveying what kind of ambiance it has. While décor is nearly always used exclusively for ambiance purposes, signage is used for both decorative and functional reasons (like showing diners how to navigate throughout your restaurant). However, regardless of whether your signage is decorative or functional in nature, ensure that the signage is consistent with the rest of the ambiance you're trying to promote.

The Psychology of Colors

Think of the usage of different colors as a form of subconscious communication with your diners. According to research, colors do affect drinking and eating behaviors. Here's how:

• Orange and yellow make people feel happier and less guilty about eating sweets.

• Blue makes people feel thirsty and encourages ordering drinks.

• Green encourages healthier eating and promotes the use of natural ingredients.

• Red makes people feel hungrier and want to buy more food.

You might think that it's easier said than done to change your restaurant color theme. After all, your restaurant would need new paint, flooring, lighting, and decorations, including furniture. Thankfully, there's a shortcut to doing this, and that is digital signage.

Digital Signage for Creating Restaurant Ambiance

Digital signage is an economical solution, especially for smaller-sized restaurants. It's an easy and quick way to set and change the color theme of the restaurant. Place the signage somewhere that's visible to people eating in the restaurant, at eye level. Doing this removes the need to color the entire restaurant.

Besides the cost benefits, there's another advantage of utilizing digital signs in restaurants. Rather than just plain colors, you can show an array of vivid images belonging to a specific color theme. For example, if using yellow, a smiling girl holding up a bunch of bright yellow balloons will fill people with joy as well as a craving for sweets.

To start with, you can create some digital signage campaigns with both video and music and then play them in your restaurant to witness the effects they have on diners as well as the restaurant staff. These days, digital signage from a commercial signage company will allow you to schedule the campaigns you created for use in playlists! That way, you can play each one at the right time and the right place. 

The Art Behind Integrating Floor and Window Graphics Within Your Business

FLOOR GRAPHICS

The floor is often overlooked and underutilized as an advertising space. After all, it would seem like an unusual spot to put an advertisement. It’s for that same reason that it can be one of the greatest methods of advertising available. It gives you the chance to shake things up and speak boldly to your patrons. At the most basic level, they can also help customers with wayfinding. Another simple use for floor graphics is plastering your logo design in appropriate spots. We’ll go into these options in more detail below.

Wayfinding

These can help your customers find your best deals and discounts. While simple shelf-mounted markers are an option, it’s more effective to include floor graphics depicting arrows, dollar signs, or footsteps. This idea also applies to seasonal events – help your customers find your gift-wrapping stations or shipping counters. Floor graphics become even more useful and effective when you need to direct large crowds.

Branding

Fostering brand awareness means repeating the promotion of specific product types that you’d like to be known for. First, you’ll want to connect the name of your store with the product you offer. Doing so will make you the go-to choice in the minds of consumers, and they will go to your store whenever they need that specific item.

Now back to floor graphics. You can put some at your store’s main entrance, and it should let shoppers know of any specific brands in your store.

Another great tool for creating brand awareness is co-branding signage. With this type of ad, you put your store logo and name along with the manufacturer’s name and logo. You can be pretty generous with this type of floor graphic and put them all around your store.

Bold Statements

Excellent use of vinyl floor graphics to display mission statements, sayings, mottos, or tag lines. When kept short, these bits of text define who you are as an institution or business. These floor graphics make it easier for people to connect you to your words, which will create the right kind of atmosphere in your store. Customers will have new expectations of you, and when your staff is able to meet those expectations, customers will leave more satisfied. In fact, creating this kind of tone in this way for all manner of interactions is suitable in banks, stores, non-profit organizations, schools, and pretty much anywhere else.

Bring in More Foot Traffic

The best way to bring in more foot traffic to your store is to let people outside know what you offer. For example, if you stock the latest gadgets that everyone wants to have this holiday season, then you should put that in your floor graphics. Or perhaps you provide complimentary gift-wrapping and toy/furniture assembly upon request? Floor graphics will inform people about what you provide before they even enter your store. All you have to do is put these graphics right outside of your store. Keep in mind that floor graphics will attach to any kind of substrate, including carpeting, tiles, or rough cement. Therefore, it will be useful in any kind of setting – both outdoor or indoor.

WINDOW GRAPHICS

Window graphics can change pretty much any glass surface into the perfect advertising space. Whether it’s images in full-color, catchy and personalized messages, or fascinating patterns and textures, you can greatly customize window graphics. And to top it off, they serve a double purpose of resolving privacy problems in retail and business spaces.

Window graphics are available in lots of styles. They’re extremely versatile and simple to exchange when your business goals and needs change.

How to use Window Graphics for Marketing and Advertising

Here are some ways that you can effectively use window graphics for marketing and advertising.

Perforated Films + Patterns, Designs, or Full-Color Images

You can print a perforated window film in full-color patterns, like images or tie-dye. Additionally, these patterns create the best balance of aesthetics and privacy. Also, they lower glare and heat from windows and don’t make them look closed-off like blinds or other window options do.

When made with colorful, bright photos and patterns, they’ll get the attention of bystanders, whether they’re behind the wheel of a car or on foot. And finally, perforated films will provide visibility to the outside world.

 Static Cling Films

These are great for temporary promotions like product-specific specials or weekly sales. They also complement doors, storefronts, and glass windows. They’re also easy to swap out. If you don’t know what to say, our signage company in Kansas City can help you create any message or design that you’d like.

Custom Graphics

These work well for advertising available space or closed/empty storefronts, as well as other spaces for lease/rent. They work well to grab the attention of potential lessees, as well as hide the interior from bystanders (if using opaque graphics). Therefore, it’s an excellent way of covering up empty storefronts.

Custom Window Graphics Usage

Custom window graphics can be used on a variety of glass surfaces to get the word out about your business, products, or services. Other than storefronts and windows, they can be used on foyers and glass entryways, glass doors, and glass railings. They may also be used on other (interior) glass surfaces too.

As you can see, the options for advertising with custom window graphics are endless. Whether it’s getting the attention of potential lessees or getting the word out about your latest clearance sale, a signage company in Kansas City can help spread your message with attention-grabbing graphics.

CONCLUSION

When you’re ready to discover more about window and floor graphics and how they will shape the way you do business this year, contact the professionals at Midtown Signs, a premier signage company in Kansas City, for more information. Our graphic artists will assist you in printing, wording, design, and locating the ideal spots for your graphics. Give us a call today to start the ordering process. 

Why You Should Revamp Your Business This New Year With a Custom Sign

Create the Best First Impression

Usually, your sign will be the first thing a new potential customer will see. Take advantage of this and make the best sign possible. The better their first impression will be, the more likely they will remember your business in the future, and therefore the more likely they will come back again.

1.) Help Customers Find You Easier

Obviously, customers need to be able to discover your business, to begin with. A big sign will attract more people and help them remember where your business is. This will also lead to more repeat business. Your sign should be large and easy enough to read from any viewable angle.

According to a study from BrandSpark/Better Homes and Gardens, 54% of shoppers in the study admitted that they drove by businesses they didn’t know about because the business signs were too small or difficult to read.

Don’t lose out on these potential customers! Get the affordable help of a custom sign company to make you a big, professional, and memorable sign!

Here’s the kind of signage you can expect from a custom sign company like Midtown:

• Large letters that are spaced out properly and in a color that contrasts well with the background. Larger letters that are spaced well are much easier to read compared to smaller letters that are too close together.

• Is positioned in an ideal place. The ideal spot is prominent and easy to view.

• Will be well-lit at night.

• The font will be suitable. It will be easy to read and not over-the-top for your business/industry.

• It will be different from the signs around you to help you stand out from the competition.

• There won’t be any distracting visuals in your sign.

2.) It Can Be the First Indicator of Quality

The aforementioned BrandSpark study also found that 33% of the shoppers mentioned that a high-quality business sign was the main thing that drew them into a store they had never been to before.

Also, 38.5% of shoppers have made assumptions about whether a store was good or not just based on the sign alone! Unclear or unattractive signs repel many new customers every day.

So, ensure that you give potential new customers the best possible first impression of your store. Your product or service might be the best in the world, but if your sign looks ugly and like it was made by amateurs, then customers will likely assume that this applies to your business, too.

 3.) It Pays for Itself

Your business sign is a long-term investment. It pays for itself, and cheaper, low-quality signage will be a net loss in the long run. In some cases, having no signage at all can be preferable to having very low-quality signs.

Even if the cheaper sign is brand new and looks good, after being exposed to the elements for a few years, it’ll show its age. It will look old, dilapidated, and deteriorated. High-quality signage, on the other hand, will still look incredible for much longer than a few years.

4.) Increase Your Brand Exposure

The sign you choose says much about your brand. That’s why a good sign is one of the best ways to show your brand to the public. It’s crucial to make it stand out from the other signs your competitors use and get the attention of potential customers. The goal of your sign should be to communicate a friendly, welcoming, and enticing message from your company.

For your sign, be sure to include your brand colors and get in touch with expert installers so that they can mount it securely, evenly, and with the appropriate amount of spacing. With that, your business sign will make your business stand out and bring more new and repeat customers to your doorstep.

As we said, whenever people look at your sign, they will make some assumptions about your business. You want those assumptions to be positive ones. It’s all about evoking positive emotions such as professionalism, friendliness, reliability, dependability, and confidence.

5.) It’s Cost-Effective Advertising

It’s one of the best ways to cost-effectively advertise your business. While you may think the initial investment is a lot, it’s still better to invest in a quality sign for the reasons mentioned above.

After the sign is created and installed, there aren’t that many upkeep costs required. If the sign was made well and is high quality, then it shouldn’t need that much maintenance, and it will last for several years.

 6.) You’ll Have Constant Passive Marketing 24/7

Everyone loves passive income; well, how about some passive marketing? That’s what quality business signs do. They work for you all day, every day, don’t need to be paid, you get the idea. Your business is being advertised non-stop to anyone who passes by.

Since you’ll want to take advantage of this excellent form of marketing as much as possible, keep it well-lit during nighttime and on darker days.

7.) A Custom Sign Company Can Make Any Customization for You

This may seem like an obvious point, but there are a great many implications and possibilities for custom business signage. We’re talking about almost any layout, color, design, or style you’d like to have – it can be made for you.

You can let your creativity shine through as much as possible or be more conservative in your signage design. Regardless of which approach you prefer, the key is to be different. Most customers who were surveyed preferred to see a greater variety in signage and did not want to see every sign looking the same.

A custom sign company with a team of professional designers can be a great help here. If you plan to keep your business open for many years to come, paying extra for someone who can design an eye-catching and effective sign will be worth far more.

The Difference Between Customizable and Custom-Made

Usually, a business sign is non-customizable after it’s already been made. But, if you instead opt for a customizable custom sign (digital signs, for example), then you’ll be able to quickly and easily change the sign whenever you’d like!