If you’re a first time sign buyer, you may be feeling unsure about where to begin. You want to have great signage that helps you accomplish your business goals, so how do you go about the process of making that happen?
There are various considerations you’ll need to take into account, but you don’t have to do everything on your own. As a sign company, we’re used to working with first-time sign buyers and addressing their concerns and guiding them through the process. We’re here to help you tackle the process of buying business signs. In this article, we answer 5 of the key questions first-time buyers ask with the aim of helping businesses like yours.
1) What does my business want to accomplish with signage?
Before deciding on the signage that will work best for your business, it helps to identify your goals. This will help determine the type and style of signage that will work best for your business. Here are some examples, all of which could apply to your business:
- It could be for business branding so that passersby recognize your business at any location.
- It could be that your business needs to make a better first impression through high-quality signage.
- Your business may have a problem with getting noticed at night because you don’t have lit signage.
The list goes on, but the important point is: you need to know what your reasons are for getting a new sign as well as what you’re looking for in your new signage. For example:
A small business just opened shop and has limited exposure in the neighborhood. They have lots of space to work with, so they purchase a monument sign with an LED message board. This attracts passersby in day or night because it’s well-placed and bright. With that, the new signage allows them to communicate a variety of custom messages on its display. The new signage gives the small business the exposure it needs to attract attention and increase sales.
Do you have a signage need? Think about what you hope to achieve with your signage, and once you know what you want, it’s time to take action with your project.
2) What kind of exterior signage should I be using?
Before you do anything with your business signage project, think about what’s currently missing on your business property exterior. What do you have now, and what would make your property better?
With the change in seasons, days are getting shorter, and the darkness of nighttime is coming earlier. If you don’t have a lit sign, how are people going to notice your business in the dark? Your business’ visibility is at stake!
Don’t let these potential sales opportunities pass by. You have options to keep the store traffic coming through lit signage:
- Add an LED message center to a monument sign.
- Use lit channel letter signs on your building.
- Add a lit pylon sign to your property.
Alternatively, if your property is already well lit, you still have more to consider. Do you have an awning to help your business literally stand out from a distance? Have you added a high-quality business sign using dimensional letters?
You have several signage types to choose from for the outside of your business location. To learn more about each of these options, get the Sign Buyer’s Guide for an in-depth look at each of them!
3) What type of interior signage should I be using?
Your interior business signs have multiple purposes, but perhaps most importantly, they’re there to give your customers a positive experience. They should help your visitors find their way through the building or buying process. Your building needs navigational signs and information signs. Without those, you’ll lower the quality of the customer experience. You don’t want to let your customers get lost or confused, and your new interior signage can help you solve that.
You have options for interior business signage. You can choose an acrylic wall sign to display your business logo. You can add wayfinding signs to help your visitors navigate the building. You can add menu boards so that people know where each service can be found, such as what floor or room number.
Your interior signage can look however you want it to when you choose the right type for your needs. If you’re struggling to put a visual representation to the different sign names, you’re not alone. That’s why we created this handy interactive signage infographic. It’s a fun way for you to see the different sign uses along with their names and descriptions.
4) What signage am I permitted to use at my location?
You’ve now thought about your signage goals and the types of signs you may be able to use to accomplish them, but unfortunately, there may be regulations that limit what you can do. This greatly varies by township or metropolitan area. The regulations in Philadelphia differ from, say, one of its suburbs, and that suburb’s regulations are likely to differ from another US city and its suburbs.
Regulations affect:
- What kind of signage you can use
- Where you can install signs
- The dimensions of your sign
- The sign display brightness
If you rent your space, your landlord may also have their own regulations.
In Philadelphia, all business signs are required to have permits, including window signs. Even your “open” sign needs to have a permit.
You’re required to get two different permits for your business signage:
- A zoning / use permit
- A building permit
Any signs that stand out or project out from your building also require approval from the Art Commission.
To acquire zoning and building permits, you usually have to apply in person at the city Municipal Service Building. If you’re renting your space, they require written landlord approval.
Thankfully, you have an alternative to this potentially time-consuming trip to the MSB: hire a sign company that’ll take care of it for you. When you choose the right sign company, they’ll do all the permitting work while you focus on your business.
5) What will I need from my signage provider?
You’re running a business, and you need to focus on that. There’s no time to waste, so you’ll want to find a sign company that can do it all.
With many sign companies, you’ll get a consultation but oftentimes, the rest is outsourced. Many companies don’t design or manufacture in-house. They may do the installation but not offer a service / repair plan.
You need a sign provider who will do everything for you under one roof. Your ideal sign company should offer all of the following:
- A consultation
- Project management
- Designers on staff
- In-house fabrication
- Permitting services
- Installation
- Service & repair plans
Without a full, all-in-one sign company, you’ll end up having to put in more on your end, wasting a considerable amount of your valuable time. Buying a business sign can seem overwhelming, especially now that you know what’s involved. Thankfully, knowing that you have a reliable company taking care of everything for you will help you feel more comfortable with the process.
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KC Sign and Awnings is the exact sign company you’re seeking for all your business signage needs. We offer services for every step of the way, giving you time to focus on your business.
When you’re ready to start your business signage project, contact us. We’ll guide and take care of you every step of the way.
