What can I say? Sometimes, I think of the headline before the blog topic. In this case though, it is relevant. People always come into the shop and ask us what size sign they should get.

Signs come in a bunch of sizes – 9×24, 12×18, 18×24, 24×24, and 24×32  – and that’s just yard signs. Throw in custom banner sizes and you can get a sign in virtually any size. But what’s the best size?

I can tell you the most popular size, that’s the 18×24 standard plastic yard sign. It might not be the right size for your purpose, but it offers a good compromise between affordability and printable surface area. It’s large enough to be readable from a relatively fast moving vehicle, yet cheap enough to allow you to purchase several signs to increase your advertising area.

Three things to consider when deciding on sign size:

• Speed of the vehicles that will see your sign – larger signs work better at higher speed limits.
• Complexity of message – a more complex message, requires a larger sign (see our 3 second rule to simplify your message)
• Area of advertising zone – more signs are better for a large advertising area. Smaller signs are cheaper so you can get more for the same price.

On our web site, you can experiment with sign size and quantity to get the best per-sign price – before you even design the sign.

When I was a kid, the three-second rule came into effect when you dropped your snickers bar on the floor. If you could pick it up within three seconds, you could eat without fear of germs and dirt – you were free and clear. Okay, actually, two days ago I used the three-second rule on a donut, but oh well. 

The three-second rule we’re talking about here is a way to make your yard signs communicate better. This rule is based on the fact that people see your sign for approximately three seconds as they drive by. 

So, when you’re coming up with the copy for your signs, write a few down, each on a separate sheet of paper. Next, get a person or a few people to act as a sounding board (I usually use Gary, our shop manager). Finally, show each piece of paper to your helper(s) for three seconds. 

In three seconds, people should be able 1.) Understand what product or service you’re selling; and 2.) locate your company contact information – phone or web site address. 

Almost all of the pre-designed yard-sign templates available on our site have gone through the three-second test to ensure they are clear and get to the point. 

Try it out the next time you need to create a sign. It really only takes a few minutes, but can make a huge difference on how well your signs drive business. 

If your company is like most, your web site is one of the best sources of information you have for your customers. Many people like to put their web addresses or domain names on yard signs.

That’s a great idea…however, when your domain is www.giganticdomainnamethatnoonecouldpossiblyremember.com…well, not so good.

First of all, on a sign, long domain names will only fit if you put them in small type, so readability takes a hit. Someone driving by won’t be able to read and/or remember your web site address. Plus, people usually can’t write down an entire domain name while they’re driving.

The answer, a shortcut domain name – a new domain that is shorter, but will point to your web site automatically.

With prices starting at $8.95 a year, you can go to a domain seller (godaddy.com, netsol.com, register.com) to research and buy a shorter domain that will direct people to your web site.  Most domain sellers offer domain redirection as a free service so any time someone enters the new short web site name on the sign, they automatically go to the company’s web site, instead.

For example, shortcut urls can direct the sign domain name bthomes.com to www.bonnietylerrealestate.com. It’s a very simple and inexpensive way to improve the reach of your custom yard signs.