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.

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.