When it comes to running a restaurant, it’s easy to let your signage fall by the wayside. Whether you’re grappling with your overheads, looking for qualified staff, or more – a million other organisational issues can easily get in the way.
However, taking the time to consider your signage and how it can be added to – or improved – can bring massive benefits to your business.
So, what exactly should you consider when it comes to managing your signage? And what are the advantages and options available when it comes to optimising your brand?
Why is signage so important?
Put simply – without signage, your customers wouldn’t know you exist.
From the name of your business and your branding to the spirit of your restaurant, all elements are embodied in a good design. And while doing a rush job is easy, doing it right takes a number of key factors into consideration.
This involves considering your visibility on the high street, the sightlines it will be viewed from, your available space, and how it matches up against the competition that wants to take valuable eyeballs away from your business.
Take a moment to consider how the design will look day and night, producing a clean look that won’t date, and making sure your signage can withstand the elements and not produce long term issues.
Also, be sure to throw in considerations about your budget, online advertising, and the effect of digital innovation and how your signage can be used in your social media representation.
Implementing the correct signage for your restaurant can come with a number of significant benefits…
What are the advantages?
While the easiest choice can be to ‘make do’ and focus on the other issues involved with running your business – designing your signage right can let you enjoy a number of great benefits.
These include, but are not limited to-
New Business:
If your sign is well designed, it acts as an initial ‘welcome’ to diners. Well chosen signage builds a potential customer’s trust, helps them understand what you offer, and acts as a barometer of quality. This helps you create a fantastic first impression and encourages individuals to engage once and – hopefully – do so again.
Improved Appearance:
Creating a sign can be an opportunity to put your best-foot-forward with customers and shout out about your USP. Putting this at the forefront of your branding is a useful tool for client engagement – allowing you to represent your brand with full and complete confidence.
Targeted Problem-Solving:
If your existing signage is old and tired, redesigning your sign can give your business a much-needed facelift. For example, you could use LED neon signs that runs cheap but keeps you in people’s minds 24/7. Or you can take advantage of available space, advertise unique offers, or let the public know just what makes you so special.
What should I consider for my space?
Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to sign design. And while working with a provider can help you save time, effort, and money in the long run; it is vital to think through your specific needs before seeking out their help.
Some helpful questions to ask include-
Your current brand:
Before you make any changes or choices to your established signage, it is important to look at where you are with your current design and configuration. Take the time to track how many signs you already have, where those are being used and whether they are representing your business effectively.
This can help you see what potentially needs to change and find additional areas that require adjustment. This can also allow you to take an objective look at when your brand was last ‘tweaked’ and if it runs the risk of being out of date. Being able to identify the gap between ‘where you are’ and ‘where you want to be’ can prove to be a massive help when it comes to discussing your signage with your chosen provider.
Key Pain-Points:
If you’re considering your signage, it’s likely that you and your teams have identified areas for improvement. Understanding these pain points can allow you to make the required changes you need to your brand and tackle any problems you have.
This can be as simple as practical issues around locations for your physical signage, a lack of coverage at night, or specific feedback from customers about your design. Listing these in full can allow your chosen provider to take a look at your design and course-correct with ease.
Navigation and Safety:
One of the most overlooked uses for signage is for safety and directing individuals. This has proven highly effective under covid and allows you to set up safety zones, direct customer traffic, and make sure that social distancing is observed by staff in what can often be a busy working environment.
Signage can be applied as hard-wearing vinyl that is easy to apply and effortless to remove. This allows you to remain compliant with rules and regulations, respond quickly to change, and allow you to transform a space with a few well-chosen decals.
What next?
If you want to learn more about improving or adding to your restaurant signage, our team at Sisu Projects is here to help. With many years’ experience, we work with you to find a professional signage solution that is right for your business.
You can review our full range of products and services and you can review our regularly updated range of cast studies here.
Or if you have specific questions or queries, you can contact us directly and let a member of our team know exactly what you need to secure the support your business and brand requires.