Studies show that updating your signage can lead to a 7% increase in sales: let us show you how to boost your small business with simple signage upgrades.
Times are tight, for retailers and customers alike, and many of us are looking for ways to improve business without having to invest heavily in anything new. In today’s financial climate, you need to do all that you can to stand out from the crowd and convince potential customers to part with their hard-earned cash. One of the best things you can look at is your signage: Studies have shown that even the smallest of signage upgrades or updates can lead to a 7% increase in sales.
Signage upgrades don’t have to mean an entire rebrand or business overhaul; in this article, we will be exploring some simple – and extremely cost-efficient – ways to update your signage and make sure it is working with you to get the most out of your business.
Upgrade & Upkeep
Brick and mortar stores may be trusted more than online businesses, but you need to keep appearances up to ensure this remains the case for your own venture; many people will judge a business on its signage. In a study carried out for FedEx, 68% of consumers said that they believed a business sign reflects the quality of its products and services. It may not be entirely fair, but it is a fact, and we can understand the thought process: if a company doesn’t care about the outside appearance of its property, then what else are they not taking care of?
Cracks, fading and stained or missing lights – along with other general wear and tear – could be putting off any potential customers or clients, and costing you sales. By investing in well-made signage, with the option for help with upkeep, you can ensure that your signage is not talking about you behind your back and costing you money.
Your sign might not be in a state of disrepair, but it may need an update, either because the design needs a revamp or it no longer serves the current needs of your business. If you’re looking for some inspiration , have a look at our blog post on the latest trends in sign design for 2023.
Use signage upgrades to enhance customer experience
As more and more businesses are moving to an online-only model, people are calling out for retail experiences that offer more than simple transactions. An IRL store can offer something an online shop cannot: a memorable experience. Along with exceptional products, we remember how a space makes us feel, and retail or hospitality businesses can harness this fact, by making a customer’s time inside their store as memorable (and enjoyable!) as possible.
As well as making the experience more fun and memorable, there are also signage upgrades that can be used to improve the customer experience in a practical way. A confusing layout or process can make your customer’s experience a real headache, and signage can go a long way to preventing this. But how do you know if your current internal signage is not working properly? Ask yourself some basic questions: are your most in-demand products difficult to locate? You could try adding a brightly coloured vinyl print to point them out. Do people hover in the wrong area to pay?
Make your POS more visible with signage, and make it fun to stand there for queuing customers. Do you struggle to upsell or encourage smaller, till-side purchases? You could add in a display for a last minute extra purchase. Getting into the mind of your customers may take a bit of imagination and time, but by investing in this way of thinking you can leave a lasting impression and a positive experience within your store, and the possibility of them returning could increase exponentially.
Make yourself more visible with signage upgrades
Light it up!
One of the simplest but most effective ways for a business to up its signage game is to opt for lighting. Not only will it make you visible long into the night and on days when the weather can affect visibility, but it could also make your sign stand out from others nearby.
There are a wide variety of ways to light up your sign, from adding a simple spotlight to a current sign, to signage that is lit up from within, and even something like classic glow of neon signs, which have benefited from a recent revival in popularity.
Consider supplementary signs
If your main fascia sign is already performing well, consider supplementary signage options to make your premises more visible and enticing. If you have large windows, for example, why not add some vinyl graphics with your latest promotion or on-brand artwork? If the window is your primary source of natural light there are options for substrates that allow you to see out and light to get in, even with a full-colour print visible from the outside. Or you could opt for some elegant kiss-cut vinyl graphics that hint at what lies inside the store.
Another option is for street furniture, such as a-frames or sandwich boards or pop-up banners. These can be an inexpensive, temporary solution for promoting time-specific promotions or seasonal specials, and as they are placed out daily, you are in complete control over when they are in use.
If you are down a side street or need something a bit more permanent to let people know where you are, you could consider a projection or swing sign, perfect for locations where the fascia sign isn’t easily visible.
Create a talking point
Outdoor signage primarily needs to do two things: to tell people who and where you are, and what you do. But it can also have a third, less obvious job. A well-designed sign can catch the attention of someone not actively in the market for your product. The passer-by; the casual shopper; the person simply intrigued by your eye-catching sign.
These types of signs are supplementary to your main signage and will mostly contain branding imagery or promotional information, but when used correctly, can make a real impact on your footfall.
Making your brand appear welcoming, professional and fun doesn’t have to be expensive. With some forethought and time investment, you could increase your sales and footfall by editing or supplementing your current signage options to make them stand out and work optimally for you and your business.
Medash Signs have been making high-quality signage that stands the test of time in our factory in Ashford for over four decades now, and we know a thing or two about what works when it comes to eye-catching sign design. Plus, when you opt to get a sign made by us, you can be sure that we will be there for you, from design to manufacture, through to installation and upkeep afterwards. Contact one of our professionals today to get started.