When it comes to investing in your business, one of the smartest long-term choices you can make is getting high-quality signage. If you’re already planning to spend time and money on designing and installing a sign, consider going for illuminated signage. This type of sign not only helps customers find your business but does so round the clock because it’s lit up.
You might be thinking that you don’t operate during nighttime hours or believe that your location is busy enough without a lit sign. If you’re uncertain about the advantages of illuminated business signage, let’s explore the different types of illuminated signs and how they can contribute to the success and expansion of your business.
Types of Illuminated Signs for Businesses
Businesses have a plethora of options when it comes to choosing illuminated signs, each offering unique advantages to enhance their visibility and brand recognition. The most common type is the classic neon sign, known for its vibrant colors and eye-catching glow. Neon signs are versatile, lending themselves to both simple lettering and intricate designs. Similarly, LED signs have gained popularity due to their energy efficiency and flexibility in creating dynamic displays. These signs can change colors, display animations, and even convey messages in a scrolling fashion, making them a modern favorite.
Channel letter signs are another popular choice, with individual three-dimensional letters that are backlit, front-lit, or both, creating a sophisticated and professional appearance. Cabinet signs, on the other hand, are large rectangular boxes with illuminated graphics or lettering and are great for businesses seeking maximum visibility, especially from a distance.
For a more elegant touch, businesses often opt for halo-lit signs where the light source is hidden behind the letters, creating a soft, radiant halo effect around them. Lastly, there are digital displays, such as electronic message centers, which allow for real-time updates and versatile messaging, making them ideal for businesses that frequently change their promotions or information.
How Can They Contribute to Your Business’s Success?
Boost Your Advertising Efforts
Like many businesses, you likely invest a significant amount in advertising. This could involve local TV or radio ads, printing cards, coupons, and flyers for distribution, or paying for newspaper and magazine ads.
Illuminated business signage doesn’t replace these advertising methods, but it complements them. Even when you’re not actively running an ad campaign, your illuminated sign remains visible, ensuring that your business stays in the minds of potential customers.
Enhance Brand Recognition
Take a look at a well-crafted illuminated sign, and you’ll notice how it stands out. It’s a powerful method to boost brand recognition. When people see your name and logo on that glowing sign, they start associating it with the products or services your business provides. Once they give your business a try, they’ll naturally connect that distinctive sign with the go-to place for their needs.
Illuminated signage serves as a reminder to previous customers to return and also acts as an inviting beacon to new customers, saying, “Hey, why not give us a shot?”
Guide Customers to Your Business
Illuminated signage offers a clear advantage: it helps customers locate your business. Whether you have a sign with a halo-lit design or one that’s backlit, when the surroundings are dark, your sign acts as a welcoming beacon. This is valuable not only for spontaneous passersby but also for new customers who’ve found you online via platforms like Google or Yelp but may still be unsure about your exact location.
Enhance Safety and Security
Another way illuminated signs can help a business succeed is by enhancing safety and security. Well-lit signage not only draws in potential customers but also contributes to a safer environment for both patrons and employees.
For instance, a well-lit storefront and entrance can reduce the risk of accidents or criminal activity in and around the business premises. Adequate lighting provides visibility, discouraging potential wrongdoers and making customers feel safer when entering or exiting the establishment, especially during nighttime hours.
Moreover, in emergency situations, illuminated exit signs are critical for guiding people to safety. These signs are typically required by building codes and regulations to ensure that in the event of a fire or other emergency, individuals can easily locate exits, contributing to their well-being and potentially saving lives.
By prioritizing safety and security through illuminated signage, businesses not only create a welcoming atmosphere but also demonstrate their commitment to the welfare of their customers and employees, which can foster trust and loyalty among their clientele.
Boosting Your Business Image with Illuminated Signs
Some of the most beloved businesses are hidden gems with weathered signs that are easy to miss. These places often gain legendary status thanks to their long-standing presence in the community and word-of-mouth referrals from loyal customers.
If your business has achieved such success, that’s fantastic! However, for the rest of us seeking to attract new customers, illuminated signage offers a significant advantage. When you’re new or relatively unknown and you have a low-quality sign or, worse yet, no sign at all, it can send the wrong message. The public may think, “They don’t even have a presentable sign. How can I trust that they’ll invest time and effort in taking care of their customers?”
A well-designed and visible sign adds a professional touch to your business, making a positive impression on potential customers right from the beginning. While it does require an initial investment and some ongoing maintenance, illuminated signage is an investment that yields excellent returns.
