ShareThisDear Professor Bruce: I'm opening a small retail business With all the start-up expenses of a business, my funds are very limited ? However, I realize how important it is to look professional and attract customers. I have done some research and found that prices for signage can be outrageous. What do I really need and how can I keep the costs down?Answer: As you open a business and consider signage, the first questions you must ask yourself are these - -What is my budget? -How do I plan on attracting my clients/customers? How critical is signage to my plan?Maggie Harlow, owner of Sign-A-Rama Downtown (Louisville, Kentucky) suggests some important items to consider. How will your customers will find you? You must understand the purpose of the signs you need. Budget is important because there are hundreds of options. Don't be afraid to discuss budget. It will save you a lot of time in the long run.Who are your customers?Will your customers be coming primarily in the evenings, (ie a restaurant)? In this case, you need a lighted sign.Is the street your located on a busy highway with multiple lanes? Visibility is critical so consider the size of the sign.If your business is a destination driven by yellow pages or referrals, then you may only need some lettering on your front door. Other considerations in selecting signage include:Do you know the local municipality sign regulations? You generally must have a permit. Are you allowed to have a lighted sign?How long is the lease on your site? Don't overspend if your lease is short and you hope to expand or change locations.Get a couple quotes from different companies. You'll have more ideas to work from, and you'll gain a better understanding of what experience you can expect. Don't buy purely on price.If visibility from traffic or pedestrians is key, don't skimp if you can help it. Signage really does work and prospects will often make a decision to walk in your door purely based on signage and whether it is inviting.Know your client - design your sign to connect with them. A high-end spa will need a different look than a transmission repair shop.For further information, please visit www.signaramadowntown.com Bruce Freeman is president of ProLine Communications, a marketing and public relations firm in Livingston, NJ and co-author of Birthing the Elephant (Ten Speed Press). E-mail questions to Bruce(at)SmallBusinessProf.com.
How can a new business keep its costs down?
Submitted by SHNS on Wed, 09/10/2008 - 08:57
Paying taxes unites us. It also divides us. People can pay five and even six times more in state and local taxes than other folks in similar circumstances making similar incomes.
Who's got your number?
In one of the fastest-growing forms of identity theft, crooks are stealing tax refunds by swiping personal information and using it to trick the Internal Revenue Service.
