Outdoor signage is one of the first things that customers and prospective customers see when driving or walking by. Many Seattle businesses have the bare minimum when it comes to outdoor signs—as such, these businesses tend to blend into the background as they look just like their competitors.
At McNamara Signs, we've helped countless local businesses design and create outdoor signs that attract attention and help improve the branding. Read on to discover a few signage tips that will allow your Seattle business to stand out in a sea of competition.
Custom Sandwich Board Signs
A-Frame signs are designed to do one thing—and they do it very well. Pedestrians can't help but notice a huge 3-foot-tall sign that advertises the products, services, or promotions of a business. One of the more popular sandwich board sign options is the marker board, allowing store managers and employees to quickly update the messaging.
Many businesses will use A-frame signs for advertising an ongoing promotion or sale. This works exceptionally well in areas with high foot traffic, such as malls, outdoor spaces, or tourist-type attractions. However, that's not to say these types of signs won't work anywhere else. For example, many restaurants and cafes successfully use sandwich signs to display the special of the day or other menu options.
Make Your Signage Stand Out
How many colors are you currently using in your outdoor signage? Have you given any thought to color theory, and which ones work best to attract people's attention? If your signs only use a single color, there's a good chance that your message won't make that big of an impact.
Contrasting colors on signs can help emphasize the important parts of a message. For example, let's pretend you own a construction business. The tagline on your outdoor sign could read:
The Leader in New Home Construction
Grey and black contrast very well, and having the word "leader" in black helps accentuate the message clearly.
Custom Window Graphics
Custom window graphics are durable, attractive, and come in a wide range of options. You can use them to give off the very convincing appearance of having frosted front windows (without running afoul of your lease agreement).
Try adding your social media handles to your storefront windows. For example, many Seattle businesses have seen increased sales by adding a custom window graphic that showcases their Twitter handle. They also add verbiage that tells people to follow them on Twitter to get first-hand information on their latest promotions.
You can also add a QR code, which will allow people to simply pull out their cell phone camera and instantly be taken to an app store to download an app or landing page that asks for their email address in exchange for a percent-off coupon code.
Take Advantage of a Monument Sign
Monument signs let people know that they have arrived. It allows the business to clearly differentiate itself from its competitors while providing some of the "wow factor" to impress all who see it.
At McNamara Signs, we offer a wide range of monument signage options, from 3D lettering to illumination. We can custom match the architectural design of your building or create almost any custom idea imaginable. We manufacture our signs in-house, allowing for lighting quick production times.
Promote Your USP
Consider promoting your Unique Selling Proposition, or USP, on your outdoor signage. For example, some car washes will advertise the fact that they offer a severely discounted wash package for $5. That will immediately attract people's eyeballs who don't want to pay $25 for an automatic car wash.
If you don't know your USP, take a few to examine what you do better than your competitors. A few years ago, a plumbing company in Los Angeles ran an advertising campaign that promoted:
"Our plumbers don't smell, they dress nice, and we won't send a Bubba to fix your clogged sink."
Improve Branding with a Vehicle Graphic
Does your business have a car or fleet of vehicles that you send out daily? Custom vehicle graphics will help create a more cohesive branding experience. People still start to notice when they see your company cars with vehicle wraps driving down the street.
Vehicle graphics won't damage the paint or finish of your vehicle and can easily stand up to the inclement Seattle weather patterns. Alternatively, you can opt for a vehicle magnet that you can install and remove in seconds.
Seattle Signage Company
Your outdoor signage is one of the first things people see when they pull up to your business. Let the signage experts at McNamara Signs help you make a great first impression. We have been helping Seattle businesses design and create the perfect outdoor signs for over 20 years. To learn more about how McNamara Signs can produce and design your next project, give us a call at (206) 284-0809 or send us an email.