Why Is a Lobby Sign Critical to Your Brand Image?

The storefront has traditionally been a major location for business signage. For many companies and organizations, this is still true, but the growing need for content, information and communication has put lobby signage on par with the hefty, brand-identifying identifiers of a company's name. 

The Lobby's Role and Location

It's difficult to overstate the value of first impressions as for a lot of companies and their customers, the building lobby is the first significant engagement. The lobby is the nerve center for directing visitors, delivering information, completing transactions and the like. The lobby plays a significant role in almost all industries, whether it's a hotel, a public agency or a museum. Imagining a lobby without lobby signs and customer service is difficult.

What Can Lobby Signs Do?

There is no limit to what lobby signs can do for a business. There is so much information that can be displayed, including building directories, way finding information, building maps, menu offerings, product prices, working hours, promotional advertising, event calendars, regulations, welcome messages, ADA signs and a variety of other signs. Of course, it's critical to identify and prioritize these diverse roles in a way that goes with the building and its operations. When a guest walks into the foyer, what should be the first thing that he sees? What information and signs should be relegated to the lobby?

1. Passers-by Are Instantly Attracted to Your Upfront 

Passers-by will be drawn to creative and bold signs and that initial impression is critical. People will immediately dislike a business if the lighting is meant to be illuminated but isn't. Anyone will avoid a shop if the lettering is coming off because of weather deterioration or just plain wear and tear. Similarly, what's inside is symbolized by the lobby signage. There is no denying that every book is judged by its cover, and lobby signs serve as that cover.

Also Read: Well Placed Lobby Signs can help you up sell

2.  Your Entrance Defines Your Lobby

The essence of your lobby is your door, entrance and desk. Let's take an example of a recently developed community and how it encourages people to make it their home. They employ distinctive design elements at the development's entry to help accentuate the sort of community being constructed. The beautiful environment, the water feature and the stunning gates serve as the neighborhood's foyer. There is also always a sign declaring the development's name. Similarly, do not allow the lobby to slip between the cracks. Make a good first impression.

3. They Help Create Convenience

The lobby is the best place to make things convenient for customers. Having proper directional signs within the lobby eases movement. Less confusion enhances the customer experience, which helps a business stand out. 

The initial impression you make on a client is through well-placed and distinctively designed lobby signs. It's the first opportunity they'll get to form an opinion about your business. The first sign should be welcoming. Greet your guests with lobby signs that display your brand at the counter or front desk, or splashed on an entry wall. Each lobby sign has a certain purpose, the most important of which is to demonstrate pride in your business.

Is Advertising on Billboards Worth It for a Start-Up Business?

Most of us have grown up watching huge digital banner billboards and conventional billboards on the roads that advertised everything from car dealers to real estate and health care facilities. These signs still exist, and are in fact increasing in number, showing clearly that they still hold a lot of value in the marketing industry.

While billboards are an effective tool for marketing, are they the best form of advertising for a small business? Some decades ago, when choices were limited, businesses were compelled to use this tool to get their name out. But, with time, newer methods have developed and advertising options for small businesses have become more efficient and cost-effective.

An advertising sign put up on the highway is one method of getting noticed, but the total amount of views you will get is very limited in comparison to vehicle decals, digital marketing, etc.

Billboards May Not Be an Effective Way to Target Your Market

Small businesses have a smaller marketing budget. Putting a large chunk of that money on a billboard may not be a very sound marketing strategy.

While you can ensure that a good number of people see the sign, there are several other methods you can apply for targeting a demographic. With stationary signs, all you can do is display them on a particular roadway and choose a city or town where they will be displayed.

Once again, this tool may work as the sign will get a lot of exposure, but your budget will evaporate very quickly, and is likely better spent on some other aspect. For the amount you will be spending on a billboard, you will only display your brand to a scattered audience, some of whom may not even be your potential customers. You will be better served spending that money on more effective methods of advertising.

Also Read: Best Ways to Use Banners to Promote Your Business

Other Marketing Signs for a Better ROI

Before deciding on a billboard, you can first look at other alternatives. The truth is, other forms of advertising like vehicle advertising, banner signs, window signs, digital banners, etc. are all more effective. They will help you gain a large amount of traction at a massively lower cost.

 Even if you hire a reputed sign making company to manage and create your signs, it is still going to cost you a lot less than purchasing a billboard or renting a space on a regular basis. With the right kind of marketing, you’re well poised to generate a lot of new sales as that’s where the attention of the consumers is right now.

It Is Important to Do Your Research

If you are hell bent on using a billboard, there are some factors you must consider before taking the plunge. One main thing you should ensure is enough eyes on your advertising billboard, so that you get a bang for your buck. When there is a particular area where you wish to advertise, first find out about the success other companies have had using the same spot, if possible.

Billboards may sound like a great idea at first but looking at the cost, viewership and restrictions, they are not the best form of advertising for a small business. For a better exposure and return on investment, opt for alternatives such as digital banners.

Digital Signs Vs. Traditional Signs

Every business, large or small, needs to be able to adapt to and use new technology. It is equally important that the business be able to apply the technology that is right for it and not just follow the pack and adopt something new, even if it offers no benefits. In fact, the wrong application of technology can have serious negative consequences. This is especially true in the case of business signage where both traditional signage and digital signs have roles to play. Understanding the pros and cons of both will help in making the right signage decisions.

Traditional Signs

Pros:

·         The initial cost of these signs is low.

·         Once put in place, they require almost no maintenance.

·         There are no running costs in the form of electricity.

·         Signs can be of any shape and size and are not limited to the square or rectangular shapes of digital signs.

·         Since no wiring or electronics are involved, these signs are long-lasting and easy to install.

Cons:

·         Once a sign is made, it is difficult to change – reprinting or repainting is required and the results are often not very good.

·         Although the initial cost is low, the need to change signs to meet new business needs can cost a considerable amount over a period of time.

·         They are, with a few exceptions, not as eye-catching or as memorable as digital signs.

Digital Signs

Pros:

·         Because they are bright and the words and images move, they attract a lot of attention.

·         The attraction also makes them more memorable, so the viewer remembers the message or information displayed on them for a longer time.

·         The message can easily be changed, as often as required, to meet changing business needs.

·         Since these signs can be connected to the internet, they can carry real-time updates of news and social media inputs, so there is always something new for the viewer, each time he or she passes the sign.

·         Although the initial cost of these signs may be high, the flexibility that they offer means that a single sign may be used for several different purposes such as sales promotion, brand development, product information, general interest messages and so on. Hence there is always something new to see.

Cons:

·         The initial cost is higher than that for traditional signs.

·         Unlike traditional signs, digital ones are complex and there is a lot that could go wrong resulting in downtime and repair costs.

·         If not used sensibly, they could convey a bit too much, resulting in confusion among the viewers.

·         Since they use electricity, there will be utility bills to be paid.

Get Expert Advice

Both traditional and digital signs have their own roles to play in the business environment. Making the right decisions on which ones to use and where, involves taking into consideration a number of variables such as the object/focus of the sign, the location, the other signs in the area, the budget (a few digital signs or more number of traditional ones), etc. A professional signage company will be able to give clients valuable advice on the types of signs that are best for different applications and will help in maximizing the returns a business gets for its investment in signage.

Modern Trends in Sign Design and Usage

Signs, in the forms that we know them, have been around since medieval times. Even today, in the world of electronic information exchange, they continue to play a major and continuously evolving role in advertising and marketing.

The modern sign

The signs of today bear little resemblance to those of 100 years ago. Today there is mobile and digital signage and visual graphics using neon lights, LEDs, standard lights, all of which are common. Recently, high resolution interactive screen displays have started to be used. Signs today are no longer basic advertising media. They are now highly evolved, innovative design platforms that allow businesses to show not only who they are and what they do, but also indicate how creative they can be. The modern sign does not just convey information about a business or product – it reflects the character of the business using it.

In addition to technology, the modern sign is no longer limited by shape, size or dimension. It can be of any shape, not just round or rectangular. It can be so big it covers the wall of a building. And it need not be two dimensional. It can resemble the shape of the product being promoted.

Making the modern sign effective

Despite the technological advances, the basics of effective signage remain more or less the same as they have always been.

Aim for maximum exposure

With the explosion of other media and the proliferation of signage, signs attract less marginal attention today than what they did in the past. In marketing terms this means that conversion is low. It is this way for all media today. Signs must be placed to attract the maximum eyeballs, even if it is in unconventional locations.

Design for the market

Signs should be designed to appeal to a target audience. Anything that connects the shape and nature of the sign to the product and the potential customer need for it, adds to its effectiveness. Surprising, amusing and in some cases, even shocking the viewer can increase the effectiveness of the sign exponentially.

Use creative designs: 

More is not always better. With signs becoming increasingly complex and high tech, simple signs in black and white can stand out from the crowd and be memorable.  Being creative with designs means that they should stand out from the context they are placed in so that they grab eyeballs. Often simplicity is more creative than complexity and trumps it in terms of attracting attention.

With so many signage options to choose from, it is difficult to know what will work best for a particular business, product or service. When properly used, signs can be the most efficient way of cost-effective business promotion. Working with a professional signage company will maximize the returns on your investment. They will know what type of sign, of what size and what shape, what materials need to be used and what lighting is required to maximize visibility and memorability. The visible and memorable sign is what brings customers to a business.