Guide to Outdoor Signs

Outdoor signs are an open invitation to your customers. Outdoor business signs, banners billboards and neon signs beckon new customers from the street. Outdoor signage can also communicate important messages such as announcing a sale or hours of operation. But most importantly outdoor signs serve as a silent branding tool. They broadcast your company name to everyone who passes the sign.

Before you purchase outdoor signage:
1. Determine what permanent outdoor signs you need versus temporary signage for special events.
2. Find out your community's codes and standards for outdoor business signs. If you lease your building, consult the owner to find out if they have guidelines or perhaps an existing contract with a sign company.
3. Make sure you've finalized your logo and branding to flow seamlessly from outdoor signage to other collateral materials.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attract pedestrians with outdoor sidewalk signs and outdoor sandwich boards

If your business is located in a pedestrian-focused area, chances are overhead signs will not get the attention they deserve. Outdoor sidewalk signs and outdoor sandwich boards are a great way to get the attention of foot traffic.

I recommend: NEOPlex offers A-frame outdoor sidewalk signs made from PVC, hardwood or aluminum. On The Step manufactures sturdy plastic A-frame outdoor sandwich signs that let you change the message as often as you'd like.

Balloons and inflatables make great outdoor signage

Sales and special events need a big attention-getter. And sometimes the best way to get attention from a high-traffic audience is to plop a balloon or inflatable figure on the roof of your building.

I recommend: Above All Advertising, Inc. will make your product into an inflatable replica. Promo-Force specializes in custom-imprinted balloons and blimps for outdoor signage.

When to use outdoor billboards

Outdoor billboards are not limited to outdoor ad campaigns. If your business is tucked away in a nook off the freeway or a main thoroughfare, drivers are most likely to keep their eyes on traffic rather than scoping out side streets for businesses. This is a great opportunity to lease or buy an outdoor billboard on that main street to announce your shop before drivers get to the turnoff for it.

I recommend: Find out where to rent or buy outdoor billboards on OutdoorBillboard.com.

Choose architectural elements for outdoor business signs

When choosing your main street-side outdoor business signs, you'll want to consider the type of location you have and match the sign appropriately. If you are located in a strip mall, you'll have to share signs with other businesses. If your building is set alone, make sure your sign complements the architecture of the building. Architectural signs co-mingle seamlessly from street-side to your building façade or storefront. Choose a sign company that can create your architectural sign from concept to installation

I recommend: Graphic Systems Inc specializes in design, fabrication and installation of architectural outdoor signage. Icon Identity Solutions is a one-stop-shop for outdoor branding. They will handle your outdoor sign needs from the permitting stage to design and installation.

Turn on neon signs and other lighted outdoor signs

Buying an overhead sign that is backlit is a good idea, not only for businesses that are open at night. Companies that have day office hours can benefit with neon signs or backlit outdoor signage to reinforce their brand during off-hours.

I recommend: Neonsign.com stocks neon signs that advertise services such as ATM or signs that advertise "Open", "Closed" or types of services offered. AdsLED Inc manufactures LED message displays that do so much more than give the time and temperature-they serve as moving message displays and are incorporated right into your outdoor business signs.

For events, try banners for outdoor signage

While you need static signs to brand your building indefinitely, you also may need temporary signs to draw customers in for events and sales. Banners are a good option to have on hand for regular events.

I recommend: SignOutfitters.com makes customized full-color banners and offers stock banners with pre-printed messages. For more online banner resources, check out Work.com's Guide to Banner and Sign Production Services.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• If your logo uses a script typestyle, test it for legibility before you put it on an outdoor sign. What is legible on a business card isn't always legible on the side of a building from the street.
• Outdoor signage is useless at night unless you have it lighted properly. Street-side signs don't have to be backlit, but can be lit from the ground with up-lights in your landscaping.
• If you choose to have free-standing A-frame outdoor sidewalk signs, make sure that you have them weighted properly so they won't blow down in windy conditions or cause someone to trip.
• The main objective of having outdoor signage is to identify your place of business to customers. Keep other messages, such as hours of operation and address, to a minimum by placing them in other visible locations such as the windows or door to your building. This allows you to maximize the space for your logo or business name on the outdoor sign.

The official source of Outdoor Signs is the Outdoor Signs page at Business.com