Have you ever wandered down the street and seen a dark, dimly lighted storefront? Did you stop in or pass it by? You probably passed the door without even thinking of entering. Many customers, like you, make quick first impressions that determine what shops they will patronize. If you want your store to make a good first impression, you must have an attractive storefront. And one of the best ways to brighten your storefront is through neon open signs. Neon signs work for a few reasons.
First, a bright sign can be seen from far away, attracting customers that may never have passed your store. Also, neon signs show that your business is active and lively; much like the darkened storefront example above, an active storefront can attract myriad customers to your business. Customers see visiting stores as both a shopping experience and a social experience, so a bright, active image will be very appealing to those customers who shop more for the social aspects. If you are open late, neon signs are particularly important for a similar reason. Shoppers walking down streets at night can become disheartened by many closed stores. If you advertise that your business is open with a bright neon sign, those wandering customers will see it as a refuge from the night. If you own a restaurant or a bar, displaying bright neon open signs works particularly well.
However, there are a few things to be wary of when purchasing or displaying neon signs. First, choose your colors carefully. Bright, gaudy colors like greens, pinks, and yellows can make a business seem crude and unprofessional. It is far better to use reds and blues, which tend to create a more sophisticated impression on potential customers. However, the darker reds and blues tend to be less visible than the bright greens and yellows, so a combination of both might be best for your business. In addition, don’t use too many neon signs. A window space filled with signs can make a store seem like it focused more on marketing than on delivering a quality product (and the best way to attract customers is not by flashy advertising but by selling in demand, well-made products). A neon open sign should act like a lighthouse acts- directing customers to a safe harbor but not illuminating the whole bay.
Finally, you might want to only use neon open signs at certain times. Bright signs during broad daylight are usually unnecessary and do little to attract customers; but nighttime neon signs can can significantly increase the flow of traffic to your business. So, while neon signs are fantastic for attracting customers, be careful not to overuse them. A well-placed and well-colored sign can attract customers from blocks away, or, if your business is located along a road with heavy vehicle traffic, signs can attract drivers who would usually drive past. But, of course, excessive coloring or placement of signs can deter major segments of your intended market. So, in general, it is best to ask yourself a simple question: if you were a customer passing your storefront, what would draw you in?
Tags: neon open signs, neon signs, open signs