Designing Outdoor Signage to Draw Customers In

The economy is changing. What your customers want and value today is very different from what they wanted just a few months ago. Today, customers are visiting restaurants and retail outlets much less frequently. When they do, they want to be assured that the establishment is clean and disinfected. But they also want to feel welcome. With many storefronts closing—both temporarily and permanently—the average customer walking by your shop might assume that it is closed as well. That’s why it is more important now than ever before to have the right outdoor signage to draw customers in.

Open for Business

Letting potential customers know that you are open for business should be the primary goal of your outdoor signage right now. Not only should your signs inform the public that you’re open, but they should also welcome visitors inside. Consider employing color theory to help you design eye-catching and inviting banners that put customers at ease. Make sure that your signage stands out while still matching your brand. Once you’ve made it clear that you are open for business, then you can start to introduce specials, promotions, and assurances of cleanliness.

Get Creative with Your CTAs

We could all use a little levity in our lives right now, so use this opportunity to make someone’s day by getting creative with your signage CTAs. Let people know you have plenty of seafood and toilet paper. Or use quarantine as a reason to only tell “inside” jokes from now on. Offering a new outdoor seating area? It may look obvious to you, but spell it out for those passing by. Invite them to have a seat and enjoy a drink at a distance. Not every call-to-action needs to be “enter here” or “come inside.”

Prioritize Cleanliness

Ultimately, designing outdoor signage that has the power to pull people in at a time like this won’t be easy. There are many challenges to overcome including social distancing measures and fears around safety and sanitation. According to market research experts at Nielsen, most consumers are focused on cleanliness and 73% of them wish to see disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer made available upon entry (Nielsen BASES COVID-19 Restaurant Survey, 2020). Use your signage to let people know what precautions your business is taking. Consider ordering a custom hand sanitizing station and, if possible, place it outside your front door.

Diace Designs has years of experience designing outdoor and indoor signage. Our team can help you find the right words and imagery to draw customers back into your establishment. Contact us today to design custom signage for your restaurant or storefront.

About Kara Franco
Kara writes copy that speaks. She has a knack for creating clear, compelling messages without wasting words. She is passionate about digital marketing and believes that copy is the cornerstone of user experience.

Copywriter + Content Strategist
Kara@diacedesigns.com