Consider the insides of any big box brand store such as Best Buy or Target. The signage inside helps promote a cohesive brand identity that resonates well with their customers—and keeps them coming back for more.
While many small to medium-sized businesses in Alexandria and Arlington, VA, don't have the massive budget of Best Buy or Target, there are many cost-effective ways of improving your brand identity.
If you haven't updated your store and retail signage in a while, here are seven things you can do to enhance the interior and deliver a strong brand identity to your customers.
Make Use of Outdoor Signage
No business owner ever said, "gee, I think I have too much outdoor signage." When it comes to promoting your brand, you need to make an amazing first impression—as such, just having a sign isn't enough.
Consider the small mom-and-pop donut shop in a stereotypical strip mall location. Often, they will have a barebones outdoor sign that has little to no effect on their branding. They might as well hang a sign that reads "generic donut shop #6."
By replacing the old generic one with a more modern
outdoor sign that accurately represents and promotes their brand, their customers will subconsciously make a positive connection. In many cases, people will refer their friends and family.
Properly Train Your Employees
In this day and age, many businesses are experiencing a labor shortage and high employee turnover. New workers who aren't too familiar with your brand might need extra time or training to ensure they interact with the customers appropriately.
Many employees also double as sales associates—consider shutting down your store for one hour in the morning and providing your sales associates with some tips and pointers on how to properly sell your products or services and represent your brand to their fullest.
Add Color to Your Interior
Big brand-name businesses are instantly recognizable by their color schemes. Consider McDonald's. The red and golden yellow colors are iconic and immediately evoke images of the brand in people's minds.
Use the appropriate brand colors when adding new indoor signage to your shop. For example,
wall and window graphics are cost-effective, easy to install, and will help create a more cohesive brand experience for your customers.
Play Appropriate Music
Carefully consider your target demographic when it comes to playing internal store music. For example, if most of your customers are people over the age of 60, playing modern pop music might not resonate very well with them.
The same goes for younger demographics. Playing "Hits from the 90s" in a store that targets people in their early 20s will make it seem like something's off to the average customer.
Playing the appropriate background music in your store can help to increase sales as it sets customers' minds at ease while seamlessly integrating your brand experience into their minds.
Consider the Internal Lighting
The lighting inside your business also adds to your brand identity. For example, consider a high-end Italian restaurant with dim lights, making its patrons feel relaxed and at home. Alternatively, a new car dealership will often have very bright lighting to showcase the automobiles for sale.
If you own a makeup or clothing store, try adding more lighting to the area where customers try on makeup or clothes in front of a mirror. It will allow them to imagine themselves wearing your products while out and about.
Audit Your Branding
When was the last time you performed a brand audit? There's an excellent chance that your business has changed or slightly switched directions since your logo and branding were initially created.
If your current branding doesn't jive well with your business or feels stale and outdated, consider getting a
professional rebrand from AlphaGraphics of Alexandria and Arlington.
We can help you figure out your brand identity and create logos that more accurately represent who you are and what you're about. This will also help set your business apart from your competitors.
Audit Your Retail Signage
Your
retail signage is the most important aspect of improving your brand identity. It allows you to stand out, make an impression, and persuade the customer to make a purchase.
Pop-up banners,
banners, and
sidewalk signs will help promote your products and services while creating an aesthetically pleasing shopping experience for your customers.
Retail and Store Signage Design and Creation in Alexandria and Arlington
Improving your brand identity will help instill trust, set you apart from your competitors, and allow your customers to make a deeper connection—which all combine to influence their decision to patronize your business over the competition.
Over the years, we've helped countless Alexandria and Arlington businesses, individuals, and organizations create amazing and impactful retail and store signage. If you'd like to learn more about our copywriting services, give us a call at (703) 549-2432 or
contact us on our website.