How often do you reassess your storefront sign design? It’s always a good time for business owners to reevaluate their custom storefront signs. After all, this is the way your customers find your location, thinks about your business, and remembers you. Some things to consider while evaluating the effectiveness of your signs. Are your signs in good condition? Do they need repaired or have broken parts? Have your product/services changed since your sign was installed? Have you seen a decrease in foot traffic? Whether you’ve been in business for 10 months or 10 years, there is always room for improvement.
While signs need to stand out, business signs in Houston must comply with the standards outlined in the County’s Code of Ordinances. By evaluating and taking into consideration the following 3 costly store front sign mistakes and avoiding them you will surely gain a competitive edge and increase your in store traffic.
Your storefront sign is in visibly poor condition
In a survey of 100,218 North American households, researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that more than one-third (34.5%) of respondents regularly made quality assumptions about businesses based on the appearance of their signs. In other words, if your signage is fading, discolored, or simply out of style, you’re doing your brand a disservice.
Your storefront sign is one of your best salespeople as it greets your customers first an navigates them into your store ne’er sleeping a wink. So it’s simple to see how detrimental it would be for a company that has a large illuminated storefront sign that use to read “HARDWARE STORE” but now beams “HADWAR SORE” in the night sky…definitely not sending the right message the message. To ensure that your sign is in the best condition check it both day and night to make sure that it is working and is visible all day long, many storefront signs in Houston are under a sign maintenance program, for more information on a local program. Call 877-330-7532.
Storefront signs that display outdated or misinformation
Did you know that outdated signage may be against Houston, Texas sign laws? According to Section 66-2(A.2). A sign which advertises an activity, business or service no longer conducted upon the premises” are expressly prohibited.
Dated sign designs and structures are bad for business for several reasons. They can make your business look like its not up to date and you don’t offer the new condition for products. It can also confuse consumer if you do not offer a product of service that is represented on your sign. A good example would be if your storefront sign advertised the latest Commodore VIC-20 home computer. Although many people might not be familiar with the product, the customer who you are trying to attract would know right off that this particular model was released circa 1980 and now to them your company looks deceptive or even buffoonish. But don’t worry, updating signs and designs can be done easily when you rely on the help of a professional sign shop like Universal Sign and Graphics has plenty of affordable options to help you keep your signs compliant and up-to-date.
Risqué signs and promotional copy
Section 66-2(a.6), Montgomery County does not tolerate any “signs which contain statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character that reasonably offend public morals or decency.”
Currently, there is a marketing trend and more and more businesses are leaning toward risqué promotional copy and incorporating it into their storefront signage to stand out from competitors and connect with younger audiences, and as a marketer by trade I will be the first to point out that few companies have actually done this successfully and many have failed miserably losing numerous potential customers that they will never know they had. So a good rule to follow is to get feedback on your company promotional copy from your target customers, elders and children this will help you understand the perspective of each and will provide valuable information before you make a permanent decision like a custom storefront sign. When in doubt about whether your message meets Houston’s criteria for “morals and decency,” consult with our sign design experts.
I hope these “mistakes” have provided you with an additional view point of how others may view your custom store front signs and other marketing efforts. As always, if you have questions about your company signs or need a sign we are standing by to help make your business shine!
Free quote on custom sign designs in Houston, TX and surrounding areas
Call 877-330-7532 or visit the Universal Signs and Graphics website to book a consultation and get a Free Quote on any custom design.
Universal Signs and Graphics is one of the premier commercial sign companies in the nation, offering a wide range of stock and custom signage solutions for businesses big and small. From our Montgomery sign shop, we proudly serve Houston, Anderson, Hockley, Tomball, Willis, New Waverly, Oak Ridge North, Pinehurst, and all the surrounding communities of Texas.
Not a Houston local? Not a problem! As members of the SignWorld business alliance, we also offer online design consultations and nationwide delivery for clients out of state.
Check out our full catalog on the Universal Signs and Graphics Product Catalog:
- ADA / Safety Signs
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Call 877-330-7532 or visit the Universal Signs and Graphics website to book a no-obligation consultation and receive a free quote on any custom order.
Universal Signs and Graphics carries all the most popular indoor and outdoor signage types, sign repair, and services, permitting alongside an extensive selection of vehicle wraps and graphics, trade show accessories, promotional items, and digital displays. Furthermore, as members of the Signworld business alliance, we give all clients access to the combined sign inventories of more than 330+ shops across the country. Anything you cannot find in-house, we can order instantly from one of our trusted sign partners.
