Is your street front quieting of late? If you're seeing fewer fresh faces coming through the door, don't worry, you're not alone. In a saturated market, getting the attention of passers-by is an uphill struggle. But the answer may be nearer, and cheaper than you imagine.
Your in-store signage remains one of the best vehicles you have for establishing an excellent first impression.It's not intuition. A FedEx Office survey found that almost 8 in 10 customers have walked into a store for the very first time because of its signs.
Here in this guide, we'll provide you with actionable tips on how to leverage decals for opening those doors.
Why Decals Work For Retail
Decals are not stickers, though; they're a cheap, versatile means of communicating with customers before they even reach the front door. They're effective because they've hit upon two basic concepts of retail: visual interest and affordability in marketing.
Visual attention & first impressions
That initial impression counts. The same FedEx survey of consumers also reported that 68% of consumers think a store's signs indicate the quality of its services or products. A clean, nicely designed window sticker speaks volumes of professionalism and consideration, inviting customers to get closer and find out about you. It's an invitation.
Low Cost, High Visibility
You don't have to have a huge budget to have a large impact. Decals are great bang for your buck. Consider your company vehicle. Industry giant 3M says that one branded vehicle can produce between 30,000 and 70,000 impressions per day. Within your store, heavy-duty and easy-to-remove decals work great for a holiday promotion or sale event without sacrificing the wallet on permanent installations.
Where To Use Decals In And Outside Your Store
So, where do you even put these things to get the best effect? It's all about putting the right message in the right place to grab your customer's attention. Here's a simple checklist to get you up and running.
- Shopfront Windows: This is your headline real estate. Reserve it for your opening times, a hero promotion, or your logo. A simple high-contrast design with a single clear call to action is best to attract attention from the pavement.
- Entryway & Lobby Walls: Greet customers as soon as they enter. A decal stating your brand mission or a warm "Welcome" enhances your identity and makes the area feel more inviting.
- Aisle & Promotional Floor Decals: Take your customers on a journey. Utilize floor decals as wayfinders to priority areas, driving a special promotion, or guiding them to a spotlighted product. Industry research indicates they can even drive sales directly in targeted categories.
- Company Vehicles & Fleet: Make every service call or delivery a marketing event. Just don't get in the way of the driver. It's one of the best mobile marketing assets you can own.
- Pop-Ups & Events: Do you have a booth at a local market or trade show? Temporary decals provide an easy and affordable means to brand your area without altering anything permanently.
- Interactive QR Codes: Place a QR code on your window or in-store sticker. Link it to social media, a specific landing page, or a sign-up form. With QR code usage increasing by thousands of percent over the last few years, it's a simple way to connect your bricks and clicks.
Quick Design & Material Checklist
A wonderful decal is only so great if it is well-designed and long-lasting. Before ordering, go through these handy points to ensure your investment pays off.
- Material & Finish: Select the proper material for the job. Opt for weather-resistant, UV-rated vinyl for windows and cars. On floors, a certified slip-resistant laminate is not optional for safety.
- Size & Placement: Consider sight lines. Will the decal be seen from across the street or close up? Ensure your text can be read from the desired distance and your design stands out against the surface behind it.
- Installation Prep: It's all about a clean surface. Ensure the surface is dust-, grease-, and moisture-free before you put on the decal. Squeegee any air bubbles out with a firm squeegee for that professional look.
- Accessibility & Safety: Position floor decals away from uneven surfaces so they don't become a trip hazard. Use materials especially designed and tested to be used on floors.
Measure Success: Simple Metrics & Tracking
How do you know whether your decals are really working? You don't need to wonder. With the installation of some easy tracking, you can observe the effect firsthand on your business.
Track a few key metrics: an overall increase in foot traffic, a sales boost on a particular item you're promoting, or redemption rates for a decal-specific discount code.
QR codes are your friend in this case. Customer trend information from Bitly indicates customers have no problem scanning them. Link a QR code on your decal to a special landing page. The traffic to the site is a direct indicator of the number of people who interacted with your sign. You can also conduct an A/B test by launching a new decal design in one store and comparing its sales stats to a similar store without it.
Your 6-Point Rollout Checklist
Feeling ready to take the leap? Use this easy plan to roll out from idea to installation easily.
- Plan: Determine your objective. Is it increased foot traffic, or advertising a special sale?
- Design: Design a simple, high-contrast layout with a strong message.
- Order a Sample: Always try the material and color out in your own space first.
- Install: Prepare your surface and apply cautiously.
- Measure: Monitor your selected metric for 2-4 weeks.
- Iterate: See what works and double down on it for your next campaign.
Ready to make that striking impression? The next step is to explore high-quality custom decals for walls, floors, windows, cars and more that can bring your seasonal promos, fleet branding, or in-store wayfinding ideas to life.
A small investment for a big return
It takes more than a massive marketing makeover to get more bodies in the door. Sometimes, it's wiser to utilize the space you already have more strategically. With some forethought, custom decals give you consistent impressions and quantifiable results for an astonishingly small investment.