Key Takeaways
- The best building signs attract Texas-sized amounts of foot traffic for their businesses. Beyond that, they’re an incredibly cost-effective marketing and advertising solution, helping to improve your visibility and making an impactful first impression on your brand.
- Create signage that makes first impressions really count! Create signs that inspire confidence, credibility, and brand uniformity, like bold colors, simple fonts, and high-contrast graphics made for Texas’s vibrant streetscapes.
- Choose the most effective building sign types, including illuminated channel letters, monument signs, blade signs, window graphics, and pylon signs. Position these signs strategically in heavy foot traffic areas to ensure you get the most eyes on them and the most interactions!
- Take advantage of digital signage to craft engaging, up-to-the-minute content and interactive experiences. Manage promotions and events in real time, measure audience engagement, and adapt on the fly for continuous improvement!
- Choose premium, weather-resistant materials that are ideal for Texas’s diverse climate to ensure the signs’ long-term success. Follow signage ordinances to the letter, and ensure you get all required permits to prevent expensive penalties for noncompliance!
- Regularly measure your signage’s performance using analytics tools, customer feedback, and sales data, so you can refine your approach, maximize ROI, and continually boost your business’s foot traffic.
It’s no wonder digital LED signs are the most popular type of building sign among San Francisco businesses hoping to increase foot traffic in 2023. These colorful signs are even protective enough to make sure they get noticed on busy downtown streets! Illuminated, dynamic designs are especially effective, as they attract the attention of pedestrians from blocks away.
They enable your location to be seen, even on those foggy AMs or rush hour PMs! For neighborhood boutiques, coffee shops, or yoga studios, these signs display promotions or menus directly to pedestrians. With digital LED signs, you can easily update messages quickly for seasonal promotions or special events.
In densely populated neighborhoods such as SoMa or the Mission, many pedestrians both live and work, and shop within the area. So the type of building sign you choose directly puts your name in front of new potential customers every day! More on these essential design tips coming up.
Why Signs Still Rule Texas?
In Texas, the purpose of a building sign extends far beyond informing the public. They draw in pedestrians, improve your visibility, and even influence how potential customers feel about your brand! For business owners from Amarillo to Beaumont, where the Texas culture still prizes big ideas and small hometowns equally, signs are essential.
The law, unfortunately, supports this, too. In April 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed with Austin, allowing cities to continue enforcing reasonable regulations on both on- and off-premises signs. Texas businesses would be on pretty solid ground now, with new precedent establishing rules for licensing and placement of signs going into effect September 1, 2024. Knowing these updates will help you maximize your sign’s potential to bring traffic and new customers to your business.
First Impressions Count Big
- Large, easy-to-read fonts
- Clean, clutter-free layouts
- High-contrast colors
- Quality materials and finishes
- Visible, well-lit placement
A well-maintained, attractive signage project conveys the message that your business is on the ball and reliable. When your wayfinding sign is branded with your distinctive brand colors and features icons or graphics that your target audience would find appealing, you catch their eye immediately.
Nothing says more about your commitment to your trade and your patrons than a high-quality sign. It needs to be aligned with all the other imagery you display that represents your brand.
Signs: Your Silent Sales Force
Your sign is on duty 24/7, telling people about your offers, services, or new arrivals. When strategically placed, such as along busy roadways or near major retail areas, signs attract attention often at no additional expense.
Use short, simple messages and directional arrows to guide shoppers to whatever they’re searching for inside your store. A sign is your silent guide, your silent informant, your silent sales force.
Stand Out In Busy Texas
Unexpected elements like bright colors and bold shapes help your sign stand out in the noise on busy streets. Look at what everyone else is doing in your immediate area, then pick an aesthetic that’s uniquely you.
Creative lighting technology helps ensure you stand out at night. Place your temporary signs in areas of high foot or vehicular traffic for maximum exposure.
Reflecting Your Unique Brand
Great signs reflect what makes your business unique. Showcase your custom colors and logo, and keep it consistent across all of your locations. Unique short, catchy phrases or clever graphics go a long way in helping folks remember you.
When your sign reflects your unique brand, customers recognize an authentic connection.
Top Signs To Boost Footfall
Tactics & Strategy Building signs: Create building signs that don’t just tell people where to go—invite them in. They create perceptions, influence how customers view your brand, attract new faces to your business, and boost your business above the noise!
In San Francisco, pedestrian and automotive traffic have to share space. Choosing the appropriate sign is possibly the most important step in increasing your visibility and footfall.
Quality signage Smart signage marries good design with solid, weather-proof materials. This ensures that your business stays on the radar of in-market shoppers, 24/7. The most effective signs grab attention with bright colors, interesting textures, and impressive lighting, without straying from your brand’s overall aesthetic.
On each category below, you’ll find a more detailed explanation of effective, proven solutions, followed by a side-by-side comparison of the two for at-a-glance reference.
|
Sign Type |
Visibility |
Cost |
Effectiveness |
|
Illuminated Channel |
High (day & night) |
Moderate |
Excellent |
|
Monument |
Good (from a distance) |
High |
Strong |
|
Blade |
Eye-level, Walkers |
Low |
Reliable |
|
Window Graphics |
Storefront-focused |
Low |
Flexible |
|
Pylon |
Highways, Far Reach |
High |
Maximum |
1. Illuminated Channel Letters Shine
These channel letters shine bright, featuring wide, deep, and streamlined letters that are both striking and noticeable. Long after the sun sets, they pop, helping that late-night customer find you.
You can customize the shape, color, and finish to align with your brand, and you’ll increase recognition by up to 80%. Their tough construction holds up to urban conditions, and maintenance is next to nothing.
Some of the local cafes and gyms have more than doubled their evening footfall with this new arrangement.
2. Monument Signs: Make A Statement
Monument signs root your location in place with a stable, corporate appearance. Big, impressive, and low to the ground, they capture the attention of drivers and pedestrians alike.
They work well in a variety of settings, ranging from technology parks to hospital campuses. Nothing increases the potency of these signs more than the proper landscaping and location.
Arguably, nothing provides a better first impression than an impressive monument sign.
3. Blade Signs: Pedestrian Magnets
Blade signs protrude at eye level, exactly where pedestrians are looking. They bring flair to storefronts while helping guide visitors to your location in bustling commercial corridors.
Short, sweet, and to the point with an eye-catching design and unique shape that matches your style. Independent businesses love to adopt unusual shapes or illustrations to display their character.
4. Window Graphics: Smart & Savvy
Window graphics make otherwise empty glass into opportunities to sell products, promote hours of operation, or display artwork. They’re easy to update for seasons or promotions.
Permanent graphics establish your institutional identity and core message, while temporary ones allow you to stay relevant. As you might imagine, many San Francisco retailers have started using window graphics to announce their pop-up events, enticing intrigued foot traffic.
5. Pylon Signs: Highway Visibility
Designed to stand out on high-speed roads, tall and bright, these kinds of signs are perfect for pylon signs. Their sheer height means your brand is visible from miles down the highway, and their digital variants allow you to switch up messages in an instant.
Large brand identifiers and intense color palettes make sure that drivers can remember you as they approach. These are especially important ones to have by highways or big shopping centers.
Design Signs That Truly Speak
How your sign looks and feels will go a long way in determining whether someone stops to check out your business. This is the case even before they enter! In Texas, competition is right around the corner. A great sign is not just a name—it’s your introduction, your handshake, to the street.
Signs that work well do three things: they pull people in, they stick in memory, and they hold up against sun and storm. The best practices for designing effective signs are all about clear communication. We want your sign to be an ambassador for your brand, employing design decisions that resonate with the culture and context of the community it will serve.
Here are the key principles behind signs that work:
- Choose short, plain language so that your audience can quickly understand what you are trying to say.
- Keep colors bold and readable, especially from a distance.
- Choose durable, long-lasting materials designed to withstand the burning sun of Texas and Mother Nature’s storms.
- Choose appropriate lighting for your schedule—LED lights or gooseneck fixtures are extremely effective.
- Test each design out for clarity, especially at night, before settling on a final design.
Colors That Catch Texas Eyes
Selecting colors isn’t just about aesthetics. Reds, yellows, and blues draw attention, but in Texas, earth tones and shades that echo local landscapes—like burnt orange or deep green—feel familiar.
To increase readability, use high-contrast combos, such as white on navy or black on yellow. Stay aware of current color trends in Dallas, Houston, or Austin to make sure your sign feels fresh and local.
Fonts: Readability Is Key
Readability is key, especially if the font is a large parking lot sign. Fonts: Readability is key. Sans serif types generally do best. Aim to use bold to grab attention for your main message and use lighter styles for supplemental information.
Ensure your sign reads well from afar, at angles, and in various times of day, considering high noon in the Texas sun, and make sure potential confusion is avoided.
Material Matters: Texas Tough
Texas weather and climate conditions are factors that make you want tough signs. Both metal and acrylic hold up incredibly well with minimal maintenance required. Wood works well for rustic brands, but requires sealing to protect against humidity.
For ecological sustainability, inquire about the use of recycled materials. Make sure to clean signs every month, and check signage lighting if open in the evening hours to ensure continued visitors.
Placement: Location, Location, Location
An expensive sign does the least work when it just sits on a desk somewhere. Ideal locations would be above your main entrance, street corners with high vehicle and/or foot traffic, or hung out over sidewalks.
Look for patterns of foot traffic—active crosswalks or parking lot exits receive a lot more attention. Don’t choose locations where trees, poles, or other signs will obscure the view.
- Over entrance doors for main ID signs
- On street-facing walls for maximum exposure
- Hanging signs at eye level for walkers
- Freestanding signs at parking lot edges
Branding: Your Story In Lights
Branding: Your story in lights. Include your logo and/or tagline, and the colors that people associate with your brand, so people immediately connect your sign to your brand.
Choosing between Channel letters or dimensional designs can help you stand out from the competition. Make sure you update signs as your brand matures. An attractive new sign shows that you are an up-to-date, first-choice business in your category.
Go Digital: Modern Sign Power
Digital signage has quickly transitioned from a trend to an expectation in San Francisco’s competitive retail environment. Go smart or go home. The reasons are obvious. Dynamic screens at building entrances do more than catch attention—they act as an intelligence command center for your brand.
Plus, you can change content dynamically! This lets you customize your message based on the day’s audience, weather, or activity happening downtown. Which means your promos are always up to date and your offers are always on target.
With conventional signs, every time you go to print or change them out, they’re demanding time and money. Digital signage even allows you to schedule discounts, flash daily specials, or promote local happenings directly from your mobile device.
Here’s a brief look at key feature differences:
|
Feature |
Traditional Signage |
Digital Signage |
|
Update Speed |
Slow, manual |
Instant, remote |
|
Customization |
Limited |
High, real-time |
|
Interactivity |
None |
Touch, QR, sensors |
|
Cost Over Time |
High, recurring |
Lower, one-time |
Dynamic Content: Always Fresh
With digital signs, your content updates as quickly as you can think of new ideas. You can schedule permanent promotions, bring upcoming events to the forefront, and ensure that every message is right on time.
Utilize any built-in analytics tools to find out what content or approach resonates the most. This way, you ensure that your message remains pointed and constantly addresses what customers are looking for.
Interactive Signs Engage More
Touchscreens and QR codes quickly and easily make passersby active users. Allow people to peruse menus, register for drawings, or provide comments directly to your doorstep.
This human element creates an immediate connection between your organization and the public you’re seeking to engage.
Cost VS. Impact: Digital Edge
While upfront costs for digital signage solutions may be higher, they eliminate print costs and allow retailers to reach more people quickly. More relevant and timely messaging through effective signage leads to happier customers, increased foot traffic, and higher sales.
Showcasing Offers And Events
Digital displays let you make a big noise out of a little deal, like a flash sale, happy hour special, or pop-up event. Concise, relevant, and above all, timely messaging brings in audiences today.
Adapt your message to suit the audience at the location.
Navigate Texas Signage Regulations
In Texas, establishment signs do more than indicate your location—they establish your brand’s identity and can help attract customers on foot. Get to know the regulations before you decide on a sign. Sign regulations tell you what you can—and cannot—put in front of the public.
Because these laws vary dramatically from city to city, county to county, and in some cases, down to the block. Understanding what regulations affect your property can help save your project time and money!
Many Texas cities — including Austin — have adopted regulations intended to protect public safety and maintain communities’ aesthetic standards. Statewide, the Texas Administrative Code (Title 43, Part 1, Chapter 21) splits sign regulations based on interstate, U.S., state, rural roadways, and use of directional signs.
For most non-projected signs, you won’t need a sign installation permit, but projected special event signs come with tough limits: they can’t cover more than the smaller of 50% of the building’s face or 6,000 square feet, and you can only have two per event. Non-projected signs advertising special events may not exceed 96 square feet.
Further, they have to be very firmly attached to a fence or wall.
Common Texas signage regulations include:
- Following zoning for sign types, size, and placement
- Staying within square footage limits
- Not lighting signs onto other properties or public spaces
- Limiting event signs per event and per building
- Using only permitted structures for mounting
Understanding The Local Permit Maze
The local permit process begins with reviewing local sign codes, then completing the appropriate forms and submitting your plans for review. You’ll be required to submit site plans, elevations, and drawings, and occasionally even evidence that your building is compliant with zoning.
One of the biggest pitfalls is getting caught up in a minor detail. For instance, you could leave out how far away the nearest other sign is, which Texas law mandates. Consulting your city’s planning office saves you from making basic errors and keeps your timeline nice and tight.
Most importantly, always obtain your permit before erecting a sign because local inspectors will be looking for adherence.
Size And Placement Rules
Cities may impermissibly reduce sign size to prevent clutter and hazards to clear and safe streets. Take, for example, a non-projected event sign in Austin—it can be no larger than 96 square feet.
For signs that are projected, you’re limited to a maximum of 6,000 square feet or 50% of the building’s façade. Think about how near you might be to Interstates, because Interstate and Primary Highway signage are subject to even more severe restrictions.
Proper placement will not only increase the number of people who see your sign, but it will also ensure that you are passing inspections. A sign that is blocked from view, or a sign that is placed too close to another sign, can be denied.
General size guidelines:
- Non-projected event: ≤ 96 sq. ft.
- Projected event: ≤ 6,000 sq. ft. or half facade
- Permanent wall sign: Varies by zoning, usually under 200 sq. ft.
- Window/door signs: Often capped at a percentage of window area
Further, when considering sizing up, take a look at adjacent buildings and structures. Big signs cannot obstruct windows, doors, or sightlines, and they need to adhere to manufacturing setback requirements.
Illumination And Electrical Codes
Illumination or electrical code requirements: Lighted signs come with added layers of requirements. Texas does require all illuminated signs to adhere to rigorously enforced electrical codes, including National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.
Safety is always a priority—make sure junction boxes, ground wires, and weatherproof covers are installed. Only a licensed electrician should be dealing with wiring, and you’ll want a yearly service to change bulbs and test circuits.
Light Maintenance: To ensure your message is bright for years to come, regularly clean lightboxes and check timers to promote energy efficiency.
Avoiding Common Compliance Pitfalls
Common pitfalls such as incorrect dimensions, installing signs in prohibited areas, or failing to renew a permit can easily add up. Fines can be high, and municipalities can require you to remove out-of-compliance signs.
Watch for new regulations—Texas completely revised commercial signage regulations, effective September 1, 2024. Check your signs annually to ensure compliance and prevent future hassles.
Measure Your Sign’s Success
If you want to take a measurement from your building sign, aim for tangible impacts. Get beyond aesthetics, my friends! Success in this area would look like your sign stopping traffic, communicating everything you have to say, and attracting more visitors.
In San Francisco, where foot traffic shifts by neighborhood and season, the right sign can change who comes through your door. The right size. A successful sign is one that delivers a concise, impactful message. It defies its context and yet complements it, on purpose and by design.
Tracking Increased Customer Visits
Measure increased customer visits. Use foot traffic analytics, such as motion detectors or counting mobile applications. They’ll enable you to demonstrate that your new sign is bringing in the customers!
Track increased customer visits. Determine the average number of customers visiting your business before and after placing your new sign. Celebrate special anniversaries or seasonal changes, and track how customer visits increase.
Determine what the baseline metrics will be, daily, weekly, etc., so that you can objectively tell your sign is achieving the intended purpose. Survey your new customers to find out what attracted them—often, a simple survey, phone call, or suggestion box provides the most valuable information.
Key KPIs for Signage Success:
- Daily and weekly foot traffic counts
- Sales volume linked to specific timeframes
- Customer recall of the sign message
- Dwell time near signage
- Customer feedback scores
Linking Signs To Sales Uplift
Compare your sales uplift to when your new sign was installed, and the increased sales will jump out at you. Leverage point-of-sale or web sales data to measure uplift in sales.
You’ve just opened a retailer in SoMa and have seen a massive increase in sales since you installed an eye-popping, large-format, minimalist sign. Now that’s a straight line connection!
Document everything that you find that’s working, and don’t be scared to change your course of action.
Customer Feedback On Visibility
Customer feedback on visibility. Conducting surveys, focus groups, or social media polls can help you find out if users noticed your sign and interpreted it correctly.
San Francisco’s short, mixed-use blocks make for some quick-hitting, rapidly changing backdrops. Ensure your sign is visible among the glassy shop fronts and toney emerald avenues!
Customer feedback regarding visibility allows you to understand what aspects of your sign can be improved or are working well.
Calculating Your Signage ROI
Calculate your costs— design, permitting, installation —versus your expected benefits, such as increased sales or attracting new customers. Monitor short-term increases and long-term benefits.
A simple ROI formula: (Gross Profit from New Traffic – Signage Costs) / Signage Costs. Look at the figures every three months and make changes if necessary.
Conclusion
In a big state like Texas, you’ll want a building sign that catches people’s eyes right away and leads them directly to you. Large, striking channel letters shine through the midnight haze and don’t wash out in daylight. Digital screens let you advertise your best new deals dynamically to draw in hungry crowds yearning for something new and exciting. Even a simple, tasteful blade sign maintains your image identity while broadcasting your mark across the bustling thoroughfare. Keep it loud—bright colors, bold fonts, simple design. Know the local requirements, or risk losing valuable money and time. Measure how many new faces come through the door, and continuously adjust your sign until it’s effective. Interested in boosting your foot traffic? Begin with a sign that speaks to your mission before you even open your mouth. Contact us today to get the honest-to-goodness hometown help you’ve been looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Type Of Building Sign Attracts The Most Foot Traffic In Texas?
Not surprisingly, digital LED signs are the most visible and effective signage option for retailers. They’re attractive, stand out during the day and at night, and allow your business to change messages as needed. In bustling Texas metropolises, these exterior signs help your company catch the eye of potential customers and increase foot traffic immediately.
2. Are Illuminated Signs Better For Texas Businesses?
Yes. Illuminated signs, such as channel letter signs or backlit panels, serve as effective signage that remains visible day and night, making them essential for retailers in Texas, where many businesses operate late. Adding light enhances your storefront sign’s visibility, helping it stand out in competitive shopping districts.
3. How Do I Make My Sign Stand Out From Competitors Nearby?
Go with bold colors, legible fonts, and a straightforward message to create effective signage. Incorporating local specialness—Texas symbols, colors, or whatever—will further your efforts to really connect with your community. With a little creativity and a distinctive, memorable design, you’ll have a storefront sign that’ll attract everyone passing by your retail space.
4. Do I Need A Permit For A Building Sign In Texas?
Almost all Texas municipalities have some type of permitting process for exterior signage. Always consult your city office or planning department to ensure you’re adhering to all regulations, which is essential for avoiding costly fines and ensuring your storefront sign remains in place.
5. How Can I Measure If My New Sign Increases Foot Traffic?
Monitor foot traffic in the weeks leading up to and following your new exterior signage installation. Door counters, customer surveys, or sales data all work. It’s no surprise that retailers experience an immediate increase in customer traffic once their new storefront sign is installed.
6. What’s The Best Material For Durable Outdoor Signs In Texas Weather?
When it comes to materials for effective signage, aluminum and acrylic are two of the best options out there. They stand up to rust, intense sun, and even tornadoes, making them ideal for outdoor business signage. These materials will continue to look crisp and clear even under the searing Texas sun and unpredictable weather patterns.
7. Can Digital Signs Help Promote Special Events Or Deals?
You’re going to want to learn more about this! Digital signage solutions are a great way to easily promote seasonal sales, special events, or even daily specials. This level of flexibility allows retailers to keep their advertising fresh, creating greater appeal and drawing more people into their retail space.
Turn Heads & Build Trust: Stunning Custom Building Signs That Speak For Your Brand
Your building isn’t just where you do business—it’s a powerful billboard for your brand. The right building sign doesn’t just mark your location; it tells your story, grabs attention, and invites customers in before they ever walk through the door. From bold exterior signage to sleek architectural elements, custom building signs can transform your visibility and make your brand unforgettable.
At It’s A Good Sign, we bring over 30 years of signage expertise to every project, creating eye-catching, professional building signs that are built to impress and made to last. Whether you’re after dimensional letters, illuminated signs, or architectural signage that aligns with your brand’s personality, we deliver custom-crafted solutions backed by a nationwide network of trusted experts.
From the first sketch to final installation, we handle every step with care and precision, ensuring your sign doesn’t just look great, but performs flawlessly for years to come. When you invest in a high-impact building sign, you’re investing in more than visibility—you’re investing in credibility, customer confidence, and a standout presence in your community.
Ready to turn your building into a brand statement? Contact It’s A Good Sign today and let’s create something extraordinary together.
Disclaimer
The materials provided on this website are for informational and entertainment purposes only and are not intended to serve as professional advice. You should consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your unique circumstances or needs. Do not act or refrain from acting based on the content on this website without seeking appropriate guidance from an expert in the relevant field.
The information presented here may not reflect the latest developments in signage, design, or related industries. We disclaim all liability for any actions taken or not taken based on the content of this website to the fullest extent permitted by law.