With the expectation that 2021 will see us flock back to the high street once it is safe to do so, driving footfall and attracting customers for high street retail and restaurants is now on the forefront of many business owners’ minds. The one big challenge that all businesses have on the modern high street is how to attract more customers. Increasing footfall is not just about having strong digital marketing in place.
If you have great signage, it can make a huge difference in your visibility and attract customers as they pass by. But how do you get it right? Here we offer some tips for creating the best type of signage for your business and how to always keep it fresh and interesting.
Think Curb Appeal
The first step you need to take is to stand outside your store, office, or hospitality business and take a look at it from the customer’s point of view. Does it look attractive? Do you have that ‘wow’ factor?
Curb appeal is crucial in today’s retail world. From the sign above your door to the notices or designs you have in the front window and everything beyond, it all must engage the customer and make them take that extra step through the doors.
Much will depend on the type of business you are running.
For example, a café might display a general sense of warmth and welcome in its signage, the idea that there are some great dishes or coffees to sample, and a great atmosphere. A clothes store may attract people with the promise of amazing prices and wonderful fashions.
It is a good idea to look around at local businesses and check how their signage is working and what they are doing well.
Branding Your Signage
It is essential to have an identifiable brand if you are a business. And you need to bring this across in your signage too. When people see your sign above the door or a new display in the window, it should elicit certain emotions associated with your brand. It is important to have continuity both inside and outside your business so that people learn to recognise your brand in an instant, something that will keep them coming back for more.
Make It Safe
Over the last year, the high street has had to contend with lockdown after lockdown. Not only do stores, cafes, and bars have to show how great they are, but they now have to demonstrate they are safe too.
Investing in various types of directional and Covid-secure signage makes a difference, even if it is an inconvenience for everyone. Making it obvious for your customers and showing that you are not only following the rules but have their safety at the forefront of your mind is vital.
Get it right and customers will still come through the door and stay for longer because they feel secure.
Be Seasonal
Finally, signage should not be static. Pay attention to the changing seasons and what you can do to make your business more visible.
A clear example of this is Christmas where you can go to town on yuletide signage. But there are other occasions such as Easter, the spring and summer, and even individual days such as Valentine’s, Black Friday, and the January sales where you can make your signage stand out.
Potential busy periods give you the chance to put up additional signage for great deals and sales or to advertise when new products are launched. Plan for these in advance and invest in the signage that will make you more visible and you should see a serious increase in footfall, even during these difficult times.
The team at Technical Signs has the experience and expertise to deliver great signage for any type of business to support business growth and footfall in the year ahead.
For more signage tips check out our previous blog post: Harry Potter Behind The Scenes
