Shop signs:
how to grab the customers’ attention
Opening a store or boutique is a challenging undertaking. From the initial concept to the store layout, everything wants to be meticulously planned. We can help with one small part of the project: the perfect signage for your new store!
Store logo sign: what is it and what is it good for?
Let's cover the basics first. Stores that offer goods for sale rely heavily on walk-in customers. Especially in times of online shopping and delivery services, physical store locations have to compete more and more for the favor of potential customers.
Exterior signage plays an essential role in this. Shop signs are an important marketing tool for any business, as they are usually the first thing passersby notice. A professionally designed and placed store sign logo is therefore the best way to make a good first impression and positively distinguish a business from its competitors.
A few benefits that come with well-planned signage:
- Attention: A store sign is the first thing customers notice when they walk past a store. It should therefore be designed to attract attention and draw passersby in and out of the store.
- Branding: Store signs are an important part of a store's branding. It helps customers recognize and remember the store.
- Legitimacy: A professional-looking shop sign adds an "official" touch to any business location. It conveys to passersby that the business is established and legitimate.
- Uniqueness: At its best, store signs should help distinguish a business from the competition. For logo and brand design, it is therefore advisable to hire a graphic designer or even a marketing agency.
How to attract attention with shop logo signs
The ideal signage for a store depends on several factors, including the type of store or boutique as well as the type of goods or services offered, the location, and of course the target audience.
However, every store should have a few basic essentials:
- Business name: The name of the company should be prominently displayed on the facade or in the shop window. Self-explanatory, really.
- Logo: Having your own logo helps create a brand identity that people will remember and recognize. This is where the creative agency comes into play again, as mentioned before, because professional logo design is a valuable skill.
- Products or services: A company that offers certain products, goods or services can state them on the exterior signage to attract clientele who are looking for just that. This point may be less obvious, but think of historical films or old photos of historic cities: Above the bakery it says "baker," the pharmacy is called "pharmacy," the drugstore is called "drugstore," and the shoemaker advertises himself as "shoemaker." In the past, it was not common for each business to have its own brand identity. And sometimes it makes sense to go "back to the basics" – at least until you've reached a level of awareness with your brand where this is no longer necessary.
Shop signs are important for conveying relevant information to customers and conveying a certain image. Therefore, they should not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also easy to understand, easy to read, and most importantly, easy to see.
Creating the perfect store sign
These tips can help you create effective and attractive outdoor signage for your store or boutique:
- Type of lighting: There are different types of lighting, including neon and LED (more on this below). When choosing illuminated signs, always keep the style of the store in mind and think about the atmosphere you want to create.
- Keep it simple: As mentioned earlier, a store sign should first and foremost be easy to read and understand. Therefore, you should avoid overloading signs with graphics or images.
- Contrast: contrasting colors, such as a brightly lit logo on a dark background, make the signage stand out and make it easier to read.
- Branding (again): Brand or CI colors, logo(s) and other brand elements should definitely be used in signage to provide brand recognition and consistency.
- Placement: Where will the sign be placed, what lighting makes sense there, and from what distance does it still need to be visible? These factors should be considered when placing shop signs. In addition, local regulations may play a role, so it is definitely advisable to check with the relevant authority beforehand.
When designing store signs, the most important thing is to be creative. Using eye-catching colors, bold fonts and relevant details is the best way to grab the attention of the clientele you want to attract to the store.
Shop front logo – illuminated or non-lit?
First of all, you should think about whether you prefer illuminated or non-illuminated shop signs – if this is not dictated by local conditions, because power outlets are not always available in the right places, and to have them re-routed requires quite a bit of effort and money.
Illuminated signs increase visibility if the store is located in a busy area or is open late at night. Illuminated signs are beneficial when the surrounding area is dimly lit, and they are helpful in creating a special atmosphere.
Non-lit signs, on the other hand, are a good choice if the business is located in a brightly lit area anyway, or if you want to create a more classic, elegant image, as non-illuminated advertising signs are more subtle and discreet. Likewise, advertising signs without lighting naturally save energy costs, which should definitely be taken into account in the calculation.
Neon lights for stores: what are types of shop signs?
Sygns offers a range of product types that are ideally suited for the signage of stores, boutiques and the like:
- Neon signs: "classic" neon signs use gas-filled tubes to create unique lighting effects that no other product can match. Neon signs are popular for their retro look and are often used by bars, restaurants and other businesses that want to create a vibrant atmosphere. The "modern" alternative to traditional glass neon is LED neon.
- Illuminated letters: Three-dimensional signs that use LED lighting to create an eye-catching effect. Illuminated letters and logos are especially customizable to match a company's branding and style, making them a popular choice for businesses looking to make a statement. They are often used for corporate buildings and large retail stores.
- Lightboxes: Lightboxes are illuminated signs with LED-backlit graphics or text. Lightboxes are popular for their bright, eye-catching displays made of translucent acrylic and are often used for advertising or branding purposes. They are highly customizable with colored foil application or foil printing, and look great even in large sizes.
- Projecting signs: Double-sided lightboxes that are attached to the facade at a 90% angle, making them visible from both directions.
It is best to use a combination of several types of signs, such as illuminated letters above the storefront or entrance and a projecting lightbox on the facade. Another possible eye-catcher is a neon sign suspended from the inside of the shop window.
Open signs for stores
Temporary store signs should also be briefly mentioned here. Classics, in addition to "sale" signs announcing discounts and sales, are "open" signs. They are usually hung in the store window or placed in a prominent location near the store entrance so that they are clearly visible to passersby.
"Open" signs can help attract walk-in customers as an essential part of storefront signage. It is therefore important to choose a sign that is easily visible from a distance and stays true to the style of the store in terms of shape and colors.
Glass neon or LED neon work especially well. You can also combine "Open" with "Closed" and have the two signs light up alternately.
Buy your storefront logo sign
If we piqued your interest or you have any questions, contact us and we'll be happy to help you choose the perfect signage for your store, boutique or showroom.