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5 Steps to Buy a Custom Sign for Your Business

When you’re opening a new business, or even just opening a new location for an existing business, there’s a lot you have to get done. You might have to renovate the space, hire new employees, acquire any licensing or applicable permits for the location, move-in furniture, equipment, and products… and, oh yeah, have a new sign installed. And while buying a sign may sound a bit overwhelming, we’ve outlined 4 steps to help you buy a sign for your business.

5 Steps to Buy a Sign

1. Determine your budget. Now, you’re probably expecting us to say not to skimp on your sign budget…and you’d be right! While we may be a bit biased, we’re telling you to invest in your signage because we’ve seen time and time again what a difference in value a sign can have for businesses. And the research backs us up, too. A great sign will increase foot traffic, sales, and the brand equity of your business over time at a much faster rate. Quality signage also increases the value for customers because it helps them locate your business.
2. If leasing, consider landlord requirements. If you are leasing your space, your landlord may have specific requirements for your signage, such as size, materials, color, and even what vendor you can use to manufacture and install the sign. Having open conversations with your landlord helps to clarify any requirements. And if you already have a relationship with a sign company, they may be able to handle some of those conversations with the landlord for you to ensure you get exactly what your brand needs and can balance understanding of the landlord’s perspective.
3. Navigate municipal permitting and variances. Especially if you’re handling the signage for many locations, it’s important to understand that each municipality/region has its own sign codes. And sometimes those regulations may appear to impede the visibility of your site branding. Remember that signs are a protected form of free speech under the 1^st Amendment! You can check with your local Chamber of Commerce or do a quick Google search (i.e. [your city or zipcode] + signage zoning regulations) to learn more about local laws. But working with an experienced sign company is the best way to navigate variances. They’ll take care of the complexities of sign codes and help you achieve your brand goals!
4. Create a design. You’ll need to work with your sign company to figure out the best sign design for your business. There are many elements to consider. For example, what does your existing façade look like? Will you need to change it? Or is there an existing sign that you can modify to save some money? Should the design include your logo or should it just have your business’s name? Do you need an electronic message center to communicate with people? Are you in an area with heavy foot traffic that requires a blade sign for walking shoppers to see? What material should you make your sign with? Durability is an important factor, especially for exterior signage in regions with inclement weather. Even the lettering style of your sign could impact the success of your location. Those are just a few questions that you’ll need to answer to design a sign that fits your facility, landlord requirements, municipal requirements and, of course, and brand guidelines. Your trusted signage partner can help guide you to sign design success!
5. Schedule your sign for installation. Of course, you’ll need your sign installed before you open your new location. It’s helpful to allow some flexibility in the installation schedule as factors like weather, or even unforeseen permitting delays, can occasionally impede a project. Great sign design coupled with expert handling of sign permits and variances will mean a smooth install that ensures your business gets up and running as soon as possible!

Your sign is fundamental to catching customers’ eyes, drawing them into the store, and communicating what your brand values. So prioritizing your signage by ensuring you have a clear budget, stellar design, and a sign company to help you manage landlord requirements and permitting and variances will mean that your sign installation can go smoothly. In no time, you’ll have an easily-recognized location that continues adding value for you and your customers.

Discover Our Full-Service Custom Sign Solutions

Here at North American Signs our goal is to take the stress of site branding off your plate so that you can focus on the other important aspects of your business! We’ll help you handle everything form landlord requirements to permitting and variances, design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. We’ll treat your brand as if it were our own because that’s the kind of legendary customer service that you deserve.