We all encounter those moments when someone spills their coffee all over you and has the gall to blame you? Whether it’s getting cut off on the freeway, an offhanded comment from a coworker, or bad coffee, one moment can ruin the rest of a perfectly nice day. So since we’ve established that we’re all human, how does any of this relate to signage?Like everything else, people are far more likely to remember the bad than the good. They expect decent signage, and notice when it’s not. Here are a few signage mistakes and how you can avoid them:

Obstructed Signage The Situation: “But officer, I couldn’t even see the stop sign!” Whether it’s an overgrown tree or another sign, customers don’t have x-ray vision. Signage that can’t be seen doesn’t serve its purpose. The Solution: Before installing signage, consider visibility. Where is the best place for it to reach customers? Are there any potential factors that could block it? After installed, check on it from time to time to make sure it is still visible. If it does become hidden, can the obstruction be removed? If no, you may have to move the sign itself. If you’re not sure, give us a call and we can discuss your options.

Non-Existent Signage The Situation: There is barely any signage! Customers cannot find your business or find their way around it. By purchasing minimal signage, it leads to confusion and, ultimately, less business. The Solution: Invest in more signage! It will raise awareness of your business, reinforce your brand, and help your customers find you or their way around. Yes, it costs money, but it’s important to remember that it’s the return on investment that counts, not the original payout for it.

Confusing Signage The Situation: You may know the layout like the back of your hand, but your customers don’t. The longer they spend squinting at confusing signage, the longer you have to wait for their business. Many will not put in as much effort and simply give up on finding your business. The Solution: Create a more concise signage system and enjoy happier customers and even a boost in business. If you’re not sure how to do that, our signage team would be happy to help.

Shoddy Signage The Situation: Many businesses choose to forego quality signage for the sake of saving money. This is a huge mistake. Your signage contributes hugely to your brand, which is to say that it reflects your business. Just as great signage portrays confidence, shoddy signage makes customers wonder about what else the business is skimping on. The Solution: Quality signage does not have to be expensive. There are plenty of great options available for low prices. Whereas cheaper signage is more likely to fall apart, costing your business more money to replace it time and time again, quality signage is built for durability, so less money is spent replacing it.

Broken Signage  The Situation: No matter the preventative measures taken or the quality of the sign, there are a couple events in which signage breaks. It’s not so much that broken signage itself is bad (especially when it comes to natural disasters), but it’s what you do once they’re broken, which is getting them fixed or replaced as soon as possible. Why the urgency? Customers understand that things happen, but it should still be fixed in a timely fashion. It all comes back to reflecting the quality of your business. The Solution: Work on getting broken signage fixed as soon as possible after it breaks. To prevent breakage in the future, perform maintenance on your signs regularly.

(Bad) Makeshift Signage The Situation: Some signs are absolutely necessary and cannot simply disappear in the time that it takes to get it fixed or replaced. This is where makeshift signage comes in. Makeshift signage is fine for the time it takes to get the regular signage fixed or replaced. However, many businesses in this situation make the mistake of not getting it replaced ASAP and leave the unprofessional looking signage up for months. The Solution: Be sure to order new signage as soon as the sign is broken. If the sign needs a temporary replacement until it can be fixed, put a little care into it. A simple sheet of printed computer paper is much cleaner than something hastily written. You want it to be legible, informative, and not too distracting. And remember: It’s temporary. Don’t put it up and forget about replacing the sign overall.

Wrong/Nonexistent ADA Signage The Situation: Businesses often have very specific ideas when it comes to the layout and design of their spaces. However, when they clash with regulations, which side wins? Some businesses opt for their choices, which is a huge mistake. By ignoring ADA regulations, you open your business up to complaints, lawsuits, and failed inspections. The Solution: Avoid the headache of a lawsuit and save yourself time and money by making sure your ADA signage is correct. Your signage professional should understand the requirements and help you install the proper signs the first time around.

Illegible Signage The Situation: Homemade signage can save money, but there’s a reason why so many people use professional signage manufacturers. Too many businesses have lost potential customers because their sign was unreadable. The Solution: Order your business’s signage through a professional signage company, or invest more time in making great signage. If you choose to do the latter, use big letters for better visibility and colors for the ease of reading.

Bland Signage The Situation: Sure, it’s there, but who is actually bothering to read it? Boring signage does not interest potential customers in your business. Seeing as advertisement is a one of the main purposes of your signage, that’s not an ideal situation. Make sure your signage is as attention grabbing as your other advertising. The Solution: Invest in some better signage. If you are not an artist, that’s ok! Your signage professionals can help you develop signage that fits your needs and attracts customers.

Bad signage can seriously damage a current or potential customer’s perception of your business. Avoiding these mistakes will help the success of your signage in aiding your business. To discuss any of your signage needs, give us a call at 952-595-5678 or contact John at john@ precisionsandi.com. Precision Signs & Imaging… Because image matters!