What Signs Does a New Local Business Actually Need?

Most new local businesses do not need every type of sign at once. Start with the signs that identify the business, help customers find or contact you and make the vehicles or premises you already use work harder.

The right starting point depends on how customers normally discover you. A shop needs strong premises signage. A tradesperson may gain more from a clearly signwritten van. A business hidden away from the main road might benefit from directional signs or an A-board.

Which sign should come first?

Your first sign should solve the biggest visibility problem facing the business.

If people pass your premises but cannot immediately see who you are or what you do, begin with an exterior business sign. If you spend most of the day traveling between customers, vehicle signwriting will usually give you more exposure. If your premises are visible but slightly difficult to locate, an A-board or directional sign may be the better first purchase.

A useful order of priority is:

Identify the business. Explain what the business does. Make it easy to find or contact you. Promote offers, products or individual services.

Trying to put all four jobs onto one sign often produces something cluttered and difficult to read.

Does every business need a main exterior sign?

A customer-facing premises normally needs a clear exterior sign showing the business name and, where it is not already obvious, the main service or type of business.

The design needs to work from the position where people will actually see it. A sign read by pedestrians can carry more detail than one seen briefly from a moving vehicle. Viewing distance, traffic direction, surrounding buildings and existing visual clutter all affect what will work.

The purpose of a main sign is recognition, not to reproduce an entire leaflet on the wall. A clear name, strong contrast and a short description will usually communicate more effectively than a long list of services.

Is vehicle signwriting more important for a tradesperson?

For many tradespeople and mobile businesses, the vehicle is their most visible business asset. It is seen outside customers’ homes, on local roads and while parked between jobs.

Effective van signwriting should normally make three things easy to understand:

Who you are What you do How to contact you

The lettering must also suit the shape of the vehicle. Door handles, bodywork lines, windows and panel gaps all affect the available space. A design that looks impressive on a computer screen can become difficult to read when it is divided between several van panels.

Sign Art designs and fits van graphics by hand using professional-grade vinyl. The design can range from straightforward lettering and contact details to a more complete branded layout. The important point is that it remains readable and appropriate for the business.

Magnetic vehicle signs can be a practical alternative for a new business, a privately used vehicle or someone who is not yet ready for permanent graphics. They can display the essential information without permanently signwriting the vehicle.

When is an A-board worthwhile?

An A-board is useful when people already pass close to the business but need a reason to notice it, turn towards it or come inside.

They work particularly well for shops, cafés, restaurants, salons and service businesses with passing foot traffic. An A-board can identify an entrance, advertise a current offer or explain a service that may not be obvious from the main fascia.

The message should be brief enough to understand while walking past. Permanent branding can be combined with an area for posters or changing messages where regular offers need to be promoted.

Before placing anything on a pavement, check that it will not obstruct pedestrians and confirm any local restrictions that apply.

Are window graphics useful or do they make a shop look cluttered?

Window graphics are useful when they make better use of otherwise empty glass, but they should not automatically cover every available window.

Simple vinyl lettering can show opening hours, contact details or the main services. Printed graphics can provide more visual impact, while frosted films can add privacy without completely blocking the light.

The design should still leave the premises looking welcoming. If every part of the window is filled with text, photographs and offers, the most important message can disappear.

When should a business use a banner?

A banner is best used for a temporary or changeable message rather than as a permanent substitute for the main business sign.

PVC banners are particularly useful for:

New business openings Events Seasonal promotions Temporary premises Building and construction sites Short-term service advertising

Sign Art supplies banners in different sizes and material weights, with options including eyelets and pole pockets. Because banners can be moved and reused, they provide a flexible way to promote something without changing permanent signage.

Do business signs need planning permission?

Some business signs can be displayed without making a separate application, while others require consent. The answer depends on the type of sign, its size, position, illumination and the building or area in which it will be installed.

Illuminated signs, listed buildings, conservation areas and signs placed away from the actual premises require particular care. Landlord or property management approval may also be needed even where separate planning consent is not required.

Check with the relevant local planning authority before ordering a sign if there is any uncertainty. It is better to confirm the position before the sign is manufactured than discover afterwards that its size, lighting or location is unsuitable.

What should a new business avoid putting on its signs?

A new business should avoid trying to include every service, every contact method and every reason to buy on one sign.

The most common problems are:

Text that is too small for the viewing distance Poor contrast between the lettering and background Too many different fonts Long service lists Contact details that cannot be read quickly Designs that do not fit the shape of the vehicle or building Choosing a material before considering where the sign will be installed

A sign has only a few seconds to communicate. If the business name, service and next step are not immediately clear, adding more information usually makes the problem worse.

How should a small business plan its signage budget?

Spend first on the sign that will be seen most often by the customers you want to reach.

A shop may prioritise its fascia and window. A tradesperson may begin with the van. A business operating from an industrial unit may need an entrance sign and directional board before investing in decorative interior graphics.

Temporary banners, magnetic vehicle signs and A-boards can provide flexible starting points. Permanent signage can then be added as the business and premises become established.

Getting the design right before anything is made

Good signage begins with the location and the customer, not with choosing a favourite material from a catalogue.

At Sign Art in Newton Abbot, signage is designed around where it will be seen, what the customer needs to understand and the available budget. With 47 years in the sign trade and City & Guilds qualifications, the advice is based on practical sign-making and design experience.

Sign Art supplies business signs, van graphics, magnetic signs, PVC banners and A-boards for businesses across Newton Abbot, Totnes, Teignmouth, Torquay, Ashburton and surrounding parts of South Devon.

For straightforward advice about which sign your business genuinely needs, call 01626 333052.