Don’t Let a Bad Sign Send the Wrong Message

You only get one chance to make a first impression. For many businesses, that first impression starts with signage. A well-designed sign can pull customers in. A poorly designed or placed one? It can confuse, repel, or get ignored entirely.

At Grand River Signs, we’ve seen it all. Here are five of the most common signage mistakes businesses make—and what you can do to fix them.

1. Low Visibility or Poor Placement

If your sign isn’t easy to see, it might as well not be there. Whether it’s hidden behind trees, mounted too high, or facing the wrong direction, placement is everything.

Fix it: Choose a location that offers clear visibility from main roads or walkways. Angle signs toward oncoming traffic and ensure nothing blocks the view.

2. Cluttered or Confusing Design

Trying to say too much can overwhelm your audience. If your sign is packed with text, mixed fonts, or too many graphics, it loses impact.

Fix it: Focus on one clear message. Use consistent fonts, bold headlines, and concise language. Let whitespace work in your favor.

3. Poor Lighting

An unlit or dimly lit sign disappears at night, costing you valuable visibility when people are still out and about.

Fix it: Add or upgrade to LED lighting. Ensure your sign is well-lit during evening hours and check regularly for outages.

4. Outdated or Damaged Signs

Faded colors, peeling vinyl, or broken parts give the impression your business is out of touch or neglected.

Fix it: Refresh your signage regularly. Update your branding, materials, and finishes to keep everything looking sharp and professional.

5. Inconsistent Branding

If your sign doesn’t match the rest of your marketing—colors, logos, tone—it creates confusion and weakens your brand recognition.

Fix it: Make sure your signage reflects your current brand identity. Consistency across all platforms builds trust and familiarity.

Turn Your Sign Into a Silent Salesperson

Your sign should be doing more than identifying your location—it should be working for you. That means standing out, reinforcing your brand, and inviting people to engage with your business.

Our team at Grand River Signs can help you avoid these costly mistakes and craft signage that drives results.

Visit grandriversigns.com to learn more or request a free estimate.

Grand River Signs is a custom signage company based in West Michigan, dedicated to helping businesses communicate clearly and grow boldly through high-quality, creative signage solutions.