Are You Playing Hide and Seek With Your Signage?

Picture yourself as you drive down the road to a store, restaurant, gas station, or doctor's appointment. Now, consider what you're looking for as you spot your destination. Most likely, it's the sign that confirms that you've arrived at your intended destination.

Whether it’s a storefront, a monument sign , or wayfinding,  signs play a crucial role in helping people find you, understand you, and ultimately choose you. But here’s the question: are your signs visible and effective, or are they hiding in plain sight?

Why Visibility Matters
A sign is more than just a label—it’s a silent salesperson working for your brand 24/7. When a sign is hard to read, poorly placed, or overshadowed by clutter, it fails to do its job. Studies show that customers often decide where to shop based on the quality and clarity of signage. If people can’t find you or identify what it is you offer, you may very well be sending them straight to your competitors. 

Peek-A-Boo: Common Ways Businesses "Hide" Their Signs
Many organizations unintentionally play a game of hide and seek with their signage. Here are some common pitfalls: 

• Poor Placement: A beautiful sign doesn’t matter if it’s blocked by trees, poles, or other structures. 
• Insufficient Lighting: A sign that disappears at night is as good as invisible.
• Complicated Design: Overly busy graphics, hard-to-read fonts, or colors with low contrast can make signs unreadable from a distance. 
• Lack of Maintenance: Faded, broken, or outdated signs make a poor first impression and can even confuse customers. 

How To Make Sure Your Signs are Seen
Turning your signs from “hidden” to “high impact” requires a thoughtful approach: 

• Think Like Your Customer - This is a great exercise. Stand where they stand. Is your sign easy to spot while driving or walking by? 
• Keep It Simple - Clear, bold lettering and minimal text get noticed fastest. 
• Light it Right- Ensure signs are well-lit for round-the-clock visibility.
• Update Regularly - Ensure signs are well-lit for round-the-clock visibility.
• Consistency Counts - Align your signage with your overall brand identity for instant recognition. 

How To Win The Game
If your signs are difficult to find, hard to read, or simply outdated, you’re unintentionally hiding your business. Good signage is not just decoration; it’s an investment in visibility, credibility, and customer connection. 

So, take a step outside and look at your business from a fresh perspective. Ask yourself: Are my signs clear and welcoming? Or am I making customers play hide and seek?