Ideas for Signs, Banners & Advertising Flags

The problem with buying a property is that you do not get to decide what the property looks like. You just choose the best of a pre-determined set of options. Much like voting! This is even worse when it comes to buying a property you intend to turn into a store, as very often you’ll have only half a handful of options available to you. The result may be a somewhat generic storefront that is less than what you’d like from it. However, you are not powerless in the face of this. There are, in fact, a number of creative design ideas you can use to draw attention to a generic storefront.

Over-Door Signs

You may already have a frame on which you can hang a storefront over-the-door sign when you buy a property. When choosing a sign, though, always go for something that draws attention and attracts the interests of passers-by. To this end, choose something that is readily noticeable, immediately intuitive as to what you are selling, and attractive. Hanging signs are better than signs affixed directly to the wall too. Because they jut out over onto the street, they are more easily seen by browsing shoppers.

Suppose you open up a bakery, something that sells small sweet baked goods and light snacks. The easiest way to advertise what your business sells is to design a door sign shaped like a muffin. Immediately guests know what your shop sells – they can see it for themselves long before they reach any display windows. This design idea works best for shops in which you want to create a light-hearted, cheerful and creative mood. If you want something a little more serious and to the point, it is best to stick to more traditional sign designs.

Banners

Banners are temporary signs that hang from the corners against a wall or railing, usually made from flexible materials such as nylon or plastic. These signs can be used for just about anything, although they are best suited for advertising special events or offers, such as grand openings or sales. If you buy a resistant material such as plastic, they can even be left out overnight without suffering from wind or rain.

Banners can be specially printed, and as such you can have any design you wish on them. They also offer a lot more space for extra details, such as dates, phone numbers, e-mails or listed products and services. Hung across the front of your storefront, they can quickly draw attention to any special occasions you may have upcoming.

Paint Your Part of the Town Red…

…or green, blue, or pink with yellow spots, whatever you think would work. Painting your storefront is a very creative way of making it stand out from the others, while at the same time being extremely cheap and painless to do. You do not even need to go all out on a color design, although if you want to go right ahead. Something as simple as painting borders around windows, doors and roof frames will help make your storefront stand out and be noticed by potential customers, increasing conversion rates and footfall. Make sure you neaten up the paint every month or so as it flakes or fades, otherwise customers may find your store looking rundown.

Plant Something Green

There is something about bare brick and masonry that just feels cold and lifeless, however much you may try to paint it up. Sometimes, something that can help make a generic storefront attractive is a little bit of greenery. If you have the space, planting a small row of bushes or topiaries can break up the shape and color of a store front, making it less harsh and austere. You can try it for yourself right now. Draw two houses, one with trees and one without. Which one seems the most welcoming?

Even if you do not have the space for trees or shrubs, you can still find other ways to add some life to your business. A windowsill flower box or a couple of hanging vases either side of the storefront’s entrance will immediately soften your shop’s façade, and entice more customers inside. Just make sure these are frequently tended to, and put some budget aside for necessary replacements as flowers wilt and die. There are few things that make a store seem shabbier than ill-kept plants. Plants are an on-going investment of time, energy and money.

A-Frame Signs and Flags

One last idea to help draw attention to your store is to use A-frames and flags. More permanent than banners, these can help make an enduring advertisement of your shop to passers-by on the street. Use them to advertise what your store offers once a potential customer has been drawn in by your other signs, to help seal the deal between them. List a sample of the goods and services you offer, and really make it the last nudge the customer needs to venture inside to see for themselves.