The first impression potential customers have of your business is usually when they pass by your location. What do they see when they pass by? Do you have a sign that conveys professionalism or the message that you want them to get.

Effective signage can be one of the most important investments you make in your business when it comes to getting and keeping new customers. Good signs will work 24/ 7 for your business if they are done right.

The 5 most important things your signs must do:

1) Make Sure Your Sign is Readable

The subject of the business, the service or product someone would be looking for if they needed your business, has to be the biggest most noticeable thing on the sign. For example if someone is looking for Insurance and they see a sign saying “Joe Blow Inc.” they would have no idea that you sold Insurance unless they could see it on the sign.

Be sure your sign is readable from a distance and that they know what you do.

2) The Sign Should Complement the Building it is Installed on or Near.

You want the sign to stand out somewhat but not so much that it looks gaudy or unprofessional. There are other ways to make you sign prominent than to change entirely the color scheme or architectural elements that would match it with the building you are located in. You want your sign to improve the overall image that people have of your location and not turn them off when they see it.

3) Attract Your Customer

You need to capture the essence of your business to attract the customer. Appeal to whatever need that the customer is searching for when the look for what your business can do for them. Let the message convey “What Is In It For ME”. Me being the customer. Why should they use you over the many other signs that they pass every day. If you can effectively convey that to them in your signage you will never be wanting for business again.

4) Your Sign Should Be Durable

A sign is an investment and as such you should invest in the best. The best materials, the best designs, the best way to make your signs visible such as lighting and positioning.

Vinyl is a good choice for long lasting materials and will last for 8 to 10 years if properly maintained. Metal is another good choice that will last for years and years. Get the best materials so you don’t have to worry about getting new signage every year.

5) Sometimes Less is More

Just because you have a sign that measures 4 feet by 8 feet doesn’t mean every square inch has to be filled with images and text. If your sign is too busy it will just confuse the customer and they won’t get your message.

If a sign is to be read from a distance the eye needs some white space between the texts in order to take everything in quickly as they drive by. Exterior signs have a lot to deal with–traffic, speed, competition with other signs, lighting–it’s important not to make the sign conflict with itself by putting too much information within its borders or too close together.

So to summarize you need a readable sign that complements the location it is installed on, it should attract your customers, be durable and not be too crowded with text and images.

A well designed and crafted sign can enhance your business location and bring more customers while creating a sense of pride in your establishment.

Magnetic vehicle signs are an excellent way to give your business increased exposure. When properly cleaned and cared for magnetic car signs can last up to three years. Here’s how to get the most life out of your custom car magnets.

Applying:

• Always clean the car magnet and the surfaces you are going to apply it to.
• A clean vehicle will prevent your magnet from slipping off your vehicle at high speeds.
• Wipe dry before applying.
• Custom car magnets can become stiff in cold conditions and may not properly grip your vehicle panels. Use caution when using your magnets in these conditions.

Positioning:

• Attach your magnets to a smooth metal surface that is flat as possible
• Affix one corner of the sign first, then allow the magnetic pull to attach the rest.
• Be sure the entire sign is flat against the surface with no air pockets.
• If you position your magnetic sign incorrectly, remove it and reattach. Do not pull the magnet across the surface as it could stretch and damage the sign.
• Do not attach your auto magnets over a ridge, trim or rust spot that would prevent the sign from laying flat.
• Make sure your car magnet signs are firmly affixed to the vehicle before driving away.

Removing & Cleaning:

• When removing your magnetic car sign, be careful not to bend or crease the corners of your sign.
• Remove your car magnets periodically to check that they are still securely fastened and to clean if necessary.
• Avoid applying your auto magnets to horizontal metal surfaces exposed to direct sunlight, such as car hoods.
• You can clean the surface of your custom magnet with a wet paper towel. Products like Windex can help with small smudges or stains.
• Make sure to completely dry your magnet after cleaning.

Storing:

• Keep your vehicle magnets in a clean, dry place when not in use.
• Store your custom car magnets by stacking them on a flat surface.
• Do not stack vehicle signs with the magnetic sides touching each other.
• Do not store heavy objects on top of or against your magnet signs.

By taking care of your magnetic vehicle signs using the tips above they should last you the full life of the signs.

Magnetic vehicle signs are an excellent way to get exposure for your small business without the hefty cost of traditional outdoor advertising. A magnetic sign on your vehicle enables you to advertise wherever you drive and gives you the flexibility to easily remove it when you want. According to a survey by American Trucking Association, 91% of people were able to recall the marketing message on a vehicle sign, and 75% formed an impression of the company based on that message. Here are some tips on how to make your magnetic car signs as effective as possible.

Establish Your Business

Your magnetic signs should clearly convey what services your business offers. If your business’ name does not indicate what services you offer, list them succinctly on your vehicle magnets. When including a logo or clip art on your sign, make sure it relates to your business in some way.

Choose a Selling Point

Feature a strong marketing message on your custom car magnets that emphasizes what makes your business unique. Consider who your target market is and develop a marketing strategy to reach them that establishes your business as unique in your field.

Include the Most Important Information

Display your phone number prominently on your car magnet so people who see your sign while driving can quickly put your number into their phone. If you have a website for your business, include it on your magnetic car sign as well.

Make Your Magnetic Vehicle Sign Easy to Read

Using large letters and concise phrases on your magnet signs will make it easier for people to read and take information from it while driving in their cars. Make sure your custom car magnet’s lettering is easily distinguishable from its background, and choose an easy to read font that matches your business style. Use a border on your magnet sign to focus the viewer’s attention on your message. People read signs with borders 26% faster than those without, according to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO).

Choose the Right Color Combination

Using light colored letters on a dark background will increase your car magnet sign’s readability. Yellow on black and white on navy, black or forest green are among the most popular color combination’s. Putting important information, like your phone number, in a different color from the rest will increase reader retention by 78%, according to the PCO.

Clean and Maintain Your Magnetic Vehicle Sign Regularly

Properly cleaning and maintaining your vehicle magnets will keep them, and your marketing message, looking great for years.

Welcome to our Orlando Signs Blog.

We will from time to time add helpful information relevant to the small businesses in the Orlando area that would benefit from using signage to attract customers to their locations.

We will try to include the advantages as well as the possible disadvantages to using signs in certain situations or for different business types.

All information will be available by clicking through the categories in the right sidebar.

Feel free to leave any comments or to request information using the comment section below.

We hope you find this information helpful.

Please visit our main website at http://www.orlandosigns.org/ if you need more information, need to contact us for a free estimate or just want to browse our sign gallery.