Every brick-and-mortar location requires outside signs for business, but not every business places its signs for maximum ROI. Properly branded, designed, and ideally located signs help customers find you—and alert those walking and driving by that you are there. Here are a few tips for ensuring the proper placement of outside signs for business.
Ask About Outside Signs for Business Placement Before Signing Your Lease
Many business owners forget to ask about signage placement and restrictions until after they sign their lease. Or they realize that they’ve made an incorrect assumption or two. For example, they were hoping to add an awning, but awning options are limited, not allowed, or they require a sign permit. Or they were hoping to add a pole-mounted sign along the roadway—but they aren’t allowed to.
These are all points to discuss and negotiate before signing your lease. For example, you could offer to pay to install a multi-sign pole and let other businesses post their outside signs for business too. Or you could offer to pay a bit more per month to have a pole installed.
If sign placement options are limited or placement is part of your exterior design, it may be worth finding a different location.
Ensure Contrast
Another factor to take into consideration is contrast. While adding your logo colors to your sign design, mount, and frame are a top priority—outside signs for business must pop!
In order to pop, signs must contrast. This might mean that you utilize colors that differ slightly from your standard logo design. This may also mean taking into account what position your outside sign for business is placed in. Signs facing the east and west must take into account the glare from the rising, and setting sun.
In the digital age, every business requires a variety of logo variations. This ensures that your logo will pop on both white and black backgrounds. However, your outside sign must contrast with other colors.
Your sign designer will create a virtual mock-up of your storefront or placement area with a variety of color options.
Size and Scale
Last but not least, determine how far away you want your outside signs for business to be visible. For most businesses, this is at least one block away. In order for this kind of visibility, you will need to consider the size of your sign, logo, text, and design medium.
For example, an LED backlit logo sign with properly contrasting colors will be visible from a greater distance than a sign the same size that isn’t backlit. A high-definition LED sign has even greater visibility. Not to mention, that all lit signs are visible 24 hours per day.
A common mistake is having the sign designed too small or the logo, text, and graphics too small. Again, you may be limited by your lease or sign permit, but be sure to ensure your placement, size, and design elements are designed for distance viewing.
Now let’s dive into what kind of signs you will require, as you’ll likely need a combination of the signs below. In addition, a variety of interior signs.
#1 In Front
Front and center are one of the most effective places to mount outside signs for business. While essential, depending on where your business is located—front and center may not provide the most visibility. For example, it may not be visible from the roadway or the entrance to your strip mall. So, you may need to place additional signs in one or more of the locations below.
#2 Sideways
If you are in a strip mall or along a street that has a significant amount of foot traffic, consider a sideways sign. This might be a small mounted sign a bit above eye level, a flag, or an A-frame sign.
Sideways signs attract the attention of those walking and driving to nearby businesses who may otherwise pass you without notice. On that same note, leave or post business flyers in nearby businesses and allow other businesses to do the same.
#3 Along A Main Street
At least one of your outside signs for business should be placed along a main street. For example, a pole mounted sign. Even if your street is not particularly busy, you want to ensure people know you’re there.
If the busiest street near your business is on the side or back of your building, consider mounting a sign there.
#4 On The Way There
Consider placing signs along the way. For example, renting a spot on static or digital highway signs or applying for “next exit” highway sign placement. Or if you are in a location that is a bit tricky to find, post directional signs. This might include directional signs in large parking lots, at the elevators, or along the written or walked path.
These signs may not need to be as branded as most, as they are typically smaller, but they should contrast, have your business name, and maybe a directive. The directive could be arrows or something such as “Turn Right In 3 Blocks”, your address, street intersections, or proximity to another business or tourist attraction.
#5 Strategic Rented Locations
On the way there signs will also need to be rented, but consider other strategic and creative locations throughout the city.
For example:
- Rooftop signs located along train routes.
- Interior or exterior bus, taxi, and train signs.
- Ads on LED signs in the busiest areas of town.
- Sponsorship signs in sports arenas.
- Rented signs in nearby shopping centers.
- Sponsorship signs at local city and charity events.
- In nearby towns that are within driving distance.
- Ads on pole-mounted freeway and roadway signs.
Looking For New Digital Outside Signs For Business?
If you are looking for LED logo, text-only, or high-definition outside signs for business we invite you to reach out to Mega LED Technology. We build our outside signs for business from scratch to your desired size and scale. This includes logo signs, scrolling signs, image and video signs, two-sided signs, and multi-layer signs. We have a vast portfolio to help you visualize and determine your needs.
Our signs can be found in every area and climate throughout North America, so there’s no need to worry about the weather!
