There’s a popular saying that first impression matters. This saying takes even more significance when considering how competitive today’s business environment is. As a brand seeking to capture your share of this competitive market, an efficient way to grab attention and communicate your essence is through professionally installed signage.
Depending on the nature of your business, there are various ways to achieve this. It could be through a striking storefront sign or an informative interior display. It could also be through an eye-catching vehicle wrap. The key message here is that the right signage can critically impact your business’s visibility, credibility, and success.
Complete Projects WA, a top provider of professional sign installation services in Western Australia, aptly understands how powerful and effective signage can be. Located in Wangara WA, the company has been helping clients across the region including, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Shopping Centres, Schools, Residential and Commercial Outlets, and the Government to enhance their brand presence through well-designed and installed signs for over 25 years.
But, how important are signages for businesses?
Today, we will walk you through how professional sign installation can boost your business. We will also look at the various types of business signs, the benefits of A professional installation, and much more.
The goal is to provide you with as much credible information as possible to help you determine if you need to invest in signage. To start with, the reason some people question the impact of signage is that they do not recognise its psychological edge.
Do signages actually have a psychological effect? If they do, how significant is this factor?
Signage and Psychology: Any Links?
To answer the question posed in the preceding paragraph about whether signages have a psychological effect; yes, they do, and to a large degree!
Did you know that the impact of signage on potential customers begins long before they read the words on your sign? We bet you didn’t.
Interestingly, the human brain processes visual information 60,000 times faster than text. This means that the design and placement of your sign are crucial in forming those vital first impressions we mentioned at the outset of this article.
Let’s start with colour. Colour, to a large extent, determines how people perceive your sign. You seem surprised. Well, don’t be. Getting the choice of colour for your signage right is the first step in making it stand out.
We will provide examples. The blue colour is usually associated with trust and professionalism. Hence, why it is a popular choice for corporate signage. Red, on the other hand, can evoke excitement and urgency. This is why it’s frequently used in sale signs.
What about the yellow colour? This colour is usually associated with optimism and positivity; it has an enviable ability to capture and retain attention as well. And then green is mostly used to represent growth and health. Having a proper understanding of color psychology is vital to guarantee that your sign’s color scheme will align with your brand message and target audience.
Apart from colour, what other element has a psychological impact when it comes to signages? Typography!
It is important to be intentional about the different elements of your signage, and typography is one such element. The font you choose can communicate a lot about your brand’s personality. How so?
Serif fonts, with their small lines at the ends of characters, often convey tradition and respectability. Sans-serif fonts, meanwhile, are seen as a simple and modern choice.
Added to that, you need to ask and answer essential questions like: How large or small would the size of the letters be? What method of spacing is ideal? These are very crucial as they affect readability, especially for signs that need to be visible from a distance.
What are the Different Types of Business Signs?
Depending on your marketing strategy, there are various signage options available to businesses.
Exterior Signs
Storefront Signs: These types of signs are usually the first point of contact between your business and potential customers. It is the first sign a prospect sees and where you need to make your first impression matter. A well-designed storefront sign can make your business stand out on a busy street and draw customers in.
Monument Signs: Monument signs are used for businesses set back from the road. A typical monument sign incorporates your logo, business name, and even digital displays.
Pylon Signs: The most distinctive feature of pylon signs is that they are tall and narrow. This makes them a perfect choice for businesses in shopping centres or along highways. If you are wondering why, it is because it provides visibility from a distance.
Interior Signs
Wayfinding Signs: How do people find their way around your store or business with ease? Through a wayfinding sign. Well, the essence of the sign can literally be found in its name. As a further appeal, wayfinding signs help improve the overall customer experience.
Point-of-Sale Signs: As the name implies, point-to-sale signs can be used to promote or announce special offers. They also help in providing last-minute product information. This is why they are usually placed near checkout areas.
Branding Signs: Branding sign is another type of interior sign that basically has the job of reinforcing your company’s identity and values throughout your space.
Vehicle Wraps and Mobile Advertising
As we noted, your choice of signage depends on your business objective and marketing strategy. But apart from interior and exterior signs, you can creatively turn your company vehicles into moving billboards through professional vehicle wraps. These wraps carry essential information about your business and therefore help in increasing your brand’s visibility across your service area.
Digital Signage
Yet another fantastic option, digital signs are becoming increasingly popular as society becomes more technology-driven. They are often regarded as the most dynamic type of business signage. Do you know why? It is because it offers so much flexibility and engagement, unlike traditional static signs.
One of the primary advantages of digital signage is that you can change content quickly and easily. This contrasts with traditional signs that require physical replacement to update messaging. With this attractive flexibility, businesses can adapt their messaging to different times of day.
They can also respond to current events or update promotions instantly. Impressive, right? Now you see why digital signage is truly unique.
Benefits of Getting a Sign Installed for Your Business
Why should you get a professional sign installed for your business? There are various compelling reasons why
Enhanced Visibility
A well-placed sign provides maximum visibility for your business. What are some critical factors to help your sign stand out?
- Sightlines
- Surrounding architecture
- Lighting conditions
Of course, increased visibility for your business translates directly into better brand recognition. When people can easily recognise your brand, it helps attract new clients and drive customer loyalty.
Increased Foot Traffic and Customer Engagement
We usually see professionally installed signs as silent salespersons that draw potential customers to your business. Here is why we are highlighting this wow factor. Studies have shown that 76% of consumers have entered a store they’ve never visited before based solely on its signs.
Isn’t that amazing?
Improved Customer Experience
Remember when we noted the role of signs, especially interior signs, in helping your customers find their way around your space? This is another huge benefit.
Clear signage helps people navigate your business more easily. Here are some likely scenarios to stress this point. Some customers will need help in finding the right department in a store. Others will also need assistance locating your office in a complex.
As you know, ease and convenience add to the overall customer experience. So, how do you improve their experience in this context? Through well-placed signs. This can lead to increased satisfaction and repeat business.
Long-term Cost-effectiveness and Durability
Installing signage, especially by a professional, it may appear more expensive upfront. However, it is an investment that always pays off in the long run. Unlike DIY installations, professionally installed signs are more durable.
They can resist adverse weather conditions as well as wear and tear. This means you won’t have to bother about frequent replacements and repairs as you would with DIY signage. Doesn’t this save you money over time?
Consistency Across Multiple Locations
If your business has multiple locations, it is advisable to opt for professional installation. This is in order to ensure consistency in branding and quality across all sites.
Regardless of how many locations you have, maintaining brand integrity is vital for your business to remain relevant amidst stiff market forces.
How Does the Signage Design & Installation Process Work?
Well, it’s a simple straightforward process that can be divided into seven steps beginning with a consultation.
- Initial Consultation
This is the first step of the process where you discuss the project with a professional signage company. During the discussion, the signage company will ask about your business goals and target audience. They will also try to understand your brand identity. The information they uncover will form the basis of the signage design and installation strategy.
- Market Research
Next, the signage company will conduct detailed market research to understand your industry and identify opportunities for your signage to stand out.
- Concept Development
After their research, they must have gathered so much information. This is what forms the foundation of various concept drafts. The reason why different options are created is because the company doesn’t want to be restrictive in arriving at a concept that effectively communicates your brand message.
- Design Refinement
The fourth stage is quite collaborative in nature. During this stage, the different concept drafts are analysed and the best option is chosen. The chosen concept then goes through a refinement process that infuses your feedback.
- Material Selection
During the fifth stage, the company advises on the best materials for your sign. They consider various factors when making this recommendation. These factors include:
- Durability
- Cost
- Aesthetic appeal.
- Mock-ups
Once materials are agreed upon, the company will create mock-ups. These mock-ups may be digital or even physical prototypes of your sign. The reason for the mock-ups is to provide you with a close preview of exactly what your signage would look like before final production.
- Approval and Production
Once you’re completely satisfied with the design, the sign moves into production. This is the final stage of the signage design process before installation occurs.
This meticulous process ensures that your sign is not just visually appealing, but also strategically designed to meet your business objectives.
Maintaining Your Business Signs
It is vital to make provisions for proper maintenance of your sign after it is installed. Why is this important? It is because maintaining your business signs is key to preserving its effectiveness and longevity.
Regular Cleaning: Depending on the type of sign and also the location, cleaning as a maintenance service could involve anything from simple dusting to power washing.
Inspections: Another type of maintenance is inspections which work as periodic checks for any damage, wear, or electrical issues. As the saying goes, a stitch in time saves nine, right?
Repairs: We cannot overemphasise the criticality of paying attention to any problems with your signage and fixing any issues promptly. This is necessary to prevent further damage and maintain your sign’s efficacy.
Updates: Some signages, particularly digital signs, may require software updates to function optimally. Digital signs also require content management services for when you need to make changes to the sign’s existing information.
Replacements: Sometimes you may take proper care of your signs but they would still get damaged by accidents beyond your control. Other times, they may be simply outdated and in need of replacement.
Final Words
As we noted at the outset of this article, the modem business world is really competitive. As such, you must take advantage of every advantage you can access.
Professional sign installation helps you create a powerful visual representation of your brand that attracts customers, enhances your professional image, and ultimately drives business growth. So if you haven’t explored this ingenious business strategy already, you have to take proactive steps today!