Neon signs are bright and eye catching, and they can add mood to the dim lighting that is usually used in bars. They call attention to the area and add character to the entire bar. At the same time, a neon sign can work as an advertisement for beer that you serve at the bar, so you have fewer customers being indecisive in their drinking choices. A neon beer sign can subconsciously cause customers to order a particular brand of beer that might be more profitable for you to sell, working in your favor by drawing them away from the idea or ordering something that is of greater cost to you.

Having neon beer signs posted on the exterior of your bar can also be advertisements for specialty beers, ales, and lagers that you serve which may be hard to find elsewhere, drawing in individuals who seek unique drinks. Having neon signs that lights up your bar will call to passers-by after dark, regardless of taste, letting people know that you are open and inviting and ready to serve.

Other neon signs can advertise entertainment that may be available in your bar. For example, if you have bands come in and play on the weekends, you can have a neon sign that you turn on Friday and Saturday nights reading “live music”. Neon signs could also advertise regular events like karaoke or could let people know that you have billiards available. Even in case you are in need of additional help, you can fashion a neon sign that advertises you are “now hiring”.

The most important neon signs you can post, however, are neon beer signs, which can provide atmosphere as well as advertisement, both inside your bar and out. With this kind of attention getter, you will be sure to have more clientele and a more diverse crowd each night, increasing your profitability and success.

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?