Why do McDonald’s, Apple, Geico, Amazon, HBO – some of America’s largest consumer companies – spend so much on outdoor advertising?
Outdoor signs can be a powerful marketing tool, one that lets you reach your ideal customers efficiently and affordably. It’s why businesses, both large and small spend large amounts of money on signage such as billboards, storefront signs, outdoor banners, and more.
Why Do Grand Rapids Businesses Choose to Spend on Outdoor Signs?
It’s quite simple. Signs installed outdoors encourage potential customers to interact with your business. A Nielsen study found 65% of people visited the business’s store, website, or social media after seeing its signs.
1. Signs Drive Sales
Wondered why phone ads pop up around the city when Apple launches its new iPhones? It’s because those signs encourage potential customers to buy their new products.
Businesses rely heavily on signs to attract customers. They’re great for highlighting promotions, showcasing new products, and reaching out to a large customer base.
That said, generating sales from signs means capturing their attention with the right messaging. Keep it short and simple, as well as promoting price drops/promotions are really effective too.
2. Grow Brand Awareness
Think of it this way, for example, if you pass “Harry’s Hardware Store” every day, you’ll become more familiar with the business, even if you have never entered the store. Then, when you do need to buy some tools, you will instantly think first of Harry’s Hardware Store. That’s a top-of-mind recall – and that’s why brand awareness is the holy grail of marketing.
When it comes to building brand awareness, nothing can beat outdoor signage. In today’s competitive market, signs are a great way to make a memorable impression on customers. As people become more familiar with a brand, they’re more loyal to it.
Make sure to customize signs to display your business’s name, logo, and branding elements prominently.
3. Provide Information
Signs aren’t just decorative – they are functional too. Most businesses in Grand Rapids use storefront signs to convey information about the company, such as:
- Its operating hours.
- Contact information such as phone numbers, email, and social media handles.
- Products and services that are available.
- Capacity limits (to maintain physical distancing for COVID-19).
- How people can book appointments.
Not only do these encourage potential customers to return to your business, but they are also more likely to interact with you online as well.
How Much Should You Spend on Your Outdoor Signs?
That depends on what you are trying to achieve and the type of sign you are looking for. We stock and build custom signs that range in price from $100 to over $10,000.
If you’re getting a new storefront sign or trying to replace your old one, it is better to invest in the sign now rather than later. A fitting example is channel letters. Though they are a little pricey up front, they pay for themselves in the long run by being eye-catching for shoppers.
What Types of Exterior Signs Should You Get?
Every business is different as are marketing needs. Regardless, some effective exterior signs you should consider are:
Find the right custom signs for your business when you talk to a signage expert at Fresh Coast Signs & Graphics. We build all types of lighted LED signs, billboards, portable advertising boards, and more.
