Internet shopping has become a serious threat to some types of brick and mortar stores. Although some pundits predict the doom of the neighborhood shop, there are techniques stores can use to remain competitive. An important part of that strategy is WL Concepts' display signage.

Signage and Decor Are Key

Successful retail outlets know impulse shopping is a vital part of a store's profitability. This doesn't just mean a shopper who adds a candy bar to his basket at the checkout counter. It also means attracting walk-by customers who had planned to buy online. The look of your business, inside and out, is a large part of drawing in new customers.

Imagine a shopper who is planning to buy a DVD player from a store on the web. As he's walking along on another errand, he sees the display signage for an electronics store. He realizes if he buys that DVD player from the store, he can start using it right away instead of waiting for delivery. That instant gratification is something online stores will never be able to offer.

Educate Customers on Shopping Locally

If you want customers to shop in your store, you need to tell them why they should do so before they even ask themselves the question. Display signage should remind shoppers why buying from you is better than buying online.

Shopping locally stimulates the economy. Why should shoppers fill the pockets of storeowners who live on the other side of the world when their money can go right back into their own community? If your business is involved with a local charity organization, be sure to advertise that on your display signage so shoppers can see a direct connection between the money they spend at your store and helping people in need.

Provide Exceptional Service

Although display signage is a vital part of a store's success, it's essential to success to back up high quality signage with good service. Online stores are limited as to how much personal service they can offer. Being able to chat with a representative online or over the phone is nothing like face-to-face service.

Brick and mortar stores have higher expenses than online shops, so trying to compete in price is not always an option. Instead, offer a greater value than internet stores can. Friendly attitudes, assistance before and after the sale, and genuine interest in your customers will be remembered long after customers forget whether they got something on sale or not.

Despite what some pundits might say, traditional brick and mortar stores aren't going anywhere. They may need to adopt new strategies, but customers will always want the intangible benefits of shopping in local stores.

While your exterior architectural sign should be a reflection of your business, there are certain legal requirements that outdoor signage must comply with:

Zoning Regulations for Exterior Architectural Signage

If your business is located in an historic district or building, zoning regulations may restrict certain sign types. For example, an area may require that all businesses use only gold lettering on the building face. Even if all of your businesses' other locations have backlit signs, you must comply with zoning regulations in your area. Our goal is to ensure that your signs meet local regulations, while remaining as consistent as possible with your brand.

Trademarks and Copyrights

Trademark and copyright laws protect the design of your exterior architectural signage. The same protections extend to your competitors and it's important to be aware of them so that you don't inadvertently violate these laws.

Your trademark is essential to your organization's competiveness. A competitor could not design a sign with a very similar appearance intended to fool customers into thinking they are the same company. Nor can stores use other company's trademarks to imply they are a member of a franchise or otherwise partnered with a business.

Copyright laws protect the content of your visual displays, and this protection covers not only the text but also the graphics and logos. Other organizations cannot use material copyrighted by your company or vice versa. Deliberate infringements on someone else's copyrights may incur steep fines.

Public Safety Regulations

The other type of laws protects public safety by regulating the structure of an outdoor sign. For example, laws restrict a sign's material to ensure it is structurally sound or lay out requirements for signs with electrical components so that there is no danger of short circuits or other problems.

Before we develop an outdoor sign, we obtain all of the necessary information to ensure that your signs are designed meet or exceed all material, structural and electrical standards you might encounter. We work with expeditors and handle sight surveys. If the architect has not done so already, we even obtain the necessary paperwork and permits to ensure that your signage is in compliance.