Go Green and Save Some Green with LED Signage

One of the major buzzwords of this age is “green” in the sense that everyone is thinking energy conservation and reducing their carbon footprint. New products are being developed to reduce energy consumption and costs. It really is a great movement that is bound to produce the best results for people and the environment in the long run. When it comes to going green, every little bit counts. Even the sign industry is going green.

Greening Your Signs

As the world veers closer and closer to an energy crises, a big concern for business owners is how they can save money by cutting down on energy consumption with the use of more efficient equipment. Experts are hard at work in coming up with newer and better technology that are more energy-efficient. LED diodes are one of the technologies that is having a major impact in reducing energy consumption.

Most people will agree that when it comes to any electric equipment they buy, it all goes down to how much power they consume at the end of the day. Any equipment that consumes massive amounts of power will hurt the business budget and add to overall operating costs—no frugal business owner wants this. When it comes to selecting a business sign and going Green, LEDs makes good sense for the ratio of power input to light output.

LED Lights and Reduced Power Usage

Modern day LED diodes are true winners because they consume a lot less energy as compared to incandescent light bulbs. This is why LED diodes are utilized in LED boards that are gaining widespread use across all industries. Normal signage solutions are known to consume up to 3x more power as compared to LED signs that are of a similar size. With the world going crazy for the “Go Green” slogan, it just makes economic sense why LED signs are quickly gaining a following and slowly but surely taking the place of traditional reader boards.

Using Digital LED Billboards

It is clear that LED displays cut down on power consumption and offer major savings to businesses that use them, but just how effective are they when viewed from a marketing perspective? It is a given that they are marvelous when it comes to displaying messages from the company but it is also important to note that in marketing, the medium is the message and using LED signs can send your customers the message that you took great pains to use power-saving options to deliver your business message to them.

Another thing that adds to the points in favor of LED signs is that they are sturdy and LED diodes take a good long while to die as opposed to more traditional bulbs used for signs. Granted, you may pay more for an LED sign at the very beginning but once you see how much money you save in your electric bill, and how your sales increase to the reliable advertising, you will see that the initial investment is well worth it. In fact, the return on investment for LED signs is very quick so you will emerge a winner in more ways than one with this green signage option.  

Fiber Optic LED Sign Communication

Fiber Optics is a communication method using a fiber optic cable that utilizes light instead of electrical impulses to send information from the computer to the LED sign. A signal converter is required on the computer and also at the LED sign to change the signal to light and then back to an electrical pulse. This system is very robust for noise immunity, which means the speed can be very fast over long distances. In simple terms, a movie file can be transferred in under a minute versus 15 to 20 minutes using RS232. The Key difference between Fiber Optic and Ethernet is the distance is better with Fiber Optic.

When should I use it?

• High speed connection is desired for sending Movie files or large picture files to the LED sign quickly.
• Installation cost is not an issue.
• Need access to the sign from several computers or from a company wide network.
• Distance from the LED sign to the Computer or Network switch is less than 2.5 miles.
• When communication reliability is mandatory and installation costs are not a factor

Benefits:

• Long distance capability up to 2.5 miles between stations
• Files load quickly to sign.
• Ethernet networks are common
• Immune to electromagnetic interference

Considerations:

• Recommended method for sending movie, picture or large data files due to its fast speed.
• Can be expensive to run and repair if damaged.

Changeable Marquee Sign with Blow Away Letters

You want your business to grow. You have something to sell. Is your marquee business sign communicating this to the traffic driving past your location day after day? Is your message getting noticed? Or is your business being passed by because the old blow away letters are not presenting a professional image. Perhaps it’s time to make a change.

Why do we call them blow away letters? Because they blow away (or get stolen). Another terrible problem is....you never seem to have enough characters. Most changeable letter kits provide more vowels and primary consonants than the lesser used alphabet. But if they give you more of one character it is at the expense of another. Most sign writers resort to being creative and turning their P’s upside down for B’s, or add some black tape to an F to make an E.

What is the solution? 

Here are 2 strategies you can use to eliminate this problem...

1. buy a larger character kit
2. buy an Electronic Message Center and present a professional image.

How to Buy an Outdoor LED Sign

You want to buy an Outdoor LED Sign?  For business owners, it's one of the most important transaction they'll make. That's why doing it right the first time is so important. Sometimes, buying a display can feel like a dizzying set of rules and regulations. Luckily, armed with the right knowledge and know-how, you can start realizing your businesses potential.  There are so many LED display options available, that sometimes it is best to take it step by step. Hope this helps!

1. Survey Your Site

In order to get an understanding for your signage needs it is critical to get the "lay of the land" and determine your locations specific advantages and/or challenges. Take stock of what you location offers. Some things to examine include but are not limited to

• Existing signage
• Distance of signage from the street and viewing distance
• Obstacles in the signs line of site
• Elevation of sign structure
• Lanes of traffic
• Steed of traffic
• Location of utilities

Visit a few signs in the neighborhood to gauge the competition and see firsthand what you want. Pay attention to overall layout, size, color and resolution. 

2. Permit/Zoning Consultation

Research the laws for electronic signs in your area. What, if any are the restrictions? Many towns have specific regulations about the type or size of outdoor signs businesses may erect. If the zoning laws in your area prevent you from installing the type of sign you desire, you may need to apply for a variance to the existing code. Sign companies should be familiar not only with local regulations, but also with the process for applying for a variance. Hiring an experienced sign professional can help you navigate the zoning process saving you time and money.

3. Determine your Budget

Buying an electronic sign need not be a horror. Today's consumer has so much information (at least, the information is available), as to make the experience of buying a sign less stressful. This transformation will occur, however, only if you obey a rule taught to every first-grade student: DO YOUR HOMEWORK. 

• What is you monthly advertising budget? Business owners sometime forget that your sign is first and foremost advertising. Including an electronic sign in your advertising budget may be less sexy than a TV commercial or radio ad, but its twice as smart. Just as all business owners know that advertising is not free. Often times, the budget does not allow us to do all of the advertising we would like so we must carefully consider the various advertising options that are available to us and invest in the advertisement media that makes the most financial sense. When compared to other advertising costs such as radio, newspaper, television and direct mail, an electronic sign is inexpensive. For example, the cost per 1,000 exposures with an electronic sign is only a few pennies a day. In addition, an electronic message center cultivates long term awareness of a business to a local demographic.

• If financing, think about the sort of down-payment you'll be able to afford. Have a general idea in mind. A down payment establishes equity, or ownership, in a sign. That's also money that you don't have to pay interest on. The more of a down payment you're able to make on your  sign, the less money you'll ultimately pay on your sign. Apply to several lenders within a two week period so that the inquiries do not damage your credit report.

• Check out lease options. These often have lower monthly payments that can easily fit into your business's advertising budget. Lease financing adds another source of credit, allowing you to preserve your cash and established borrowing capacity with banks for other needs. Even "soft costs" such as training, shipping, installation, and maintenance agreements can usually be included. In addition your monthly lease payment can be deducted as an operating expense lowering your tax burden.

• As a business owner, you know that signs are not an expense -- they are an investment. Calculate your expected Return on Investment (ROI). How much increased traffic can you expect to gain form a good sign? The Small Business Association (SBA) statistics show that an LED sign increases business between 15 and 150 percent. Put those numbers into a ROI calculator and see how quickly a sign can pay for itself.  Do you expect your income to increase over the next couple years? If your income has increased by 3% for several years in a row and you hold a good share in a safe industry, you can probably rest assured that buying an expensive but still reasonable sign is possible. Many business owners buy relatively expensive and then grow into their lease with the increased traffic.

Before considering the purchase of a LED sign, it is wise to establish the amount you are willing to spend or, if taking a loan, calculate your maximum monthly payment.  You can work out a loan with your bank, but it is also possible to walk into a sign company with financing already secured through a lease company.  Leasing options can generally be obtained without having to indicate a specific make or model of sign ahead of time. 

Don't forget to consider the costs of tax, permits, installation and training for your new outdoor LED sign. As a very broad, general rule, and depending upon where you live, freight, tax, permits, assorted fees and installation costs will add roughly 10 to 20 percent to the purchase price. This makes the price of a $30,000 sign actually about $36,000 and, if you're financing the deal, you will be paying interest on that additional amount. You should be able to afford the sign as well as its installation costs. It always pays to shop around, so check rates with other lenders to compare. 

4. Use Helpful Internet Tools

There is a lot of information available on the internet but, many professionals will tell you, most buyers simply don't use that available information to their best advantage. To help, we've developed a Buyers Guides for refining your search. Contact us and we will be happy to email one to you.  Another useful area of information will be the various websites for other manufacturers. Often, you can learn specifics about the features of that manufacturer's signs. 

5. Research the Right Sign

Many professionals will tell you that this is where huge numbers of buyers make their biggest mistakes. They don't buy the sign that is best for their needs, but instead get side tracked on price by taking the position that you must have the best deal possible. That sign will be worth what you pay for it, on that day, at that time, and sales managers, particularly those at larger sign companies, tend to have very accurate reads on current market conditions and therefore sign valuations. If you deceive yourself into comparing apples and oranges and placing the same value on both, it will only lead to difficulties later.

Figuring out how much you want to spend was the easy part; now you have to find the sign that's right for you. Most buyers (yes, most), are not really sure what's out there or even what they need and want. Start to think about what you're really looking for in a sign. You probably already have a vague idea, but the angel's in the details. There are a couple things in particular that you should give good thought to:

• First, think about the distance the average viewer will be from the sign. In addition, factors such as as traffic speed, sign height, size and resolution can affect how easily the sign can be viewed.

• What will your business need in several years? Maybe you're just starting up right now, but are there are plans for expansion in the future?

• What tradeoffs are you willing to make? In other words, what are your priorities and what are you willing to compromise on? Do you need a workhorse more than a sign with state of the art technology? Do you care more about sign size over color? Full color LED signs can be more effective for some applications but not all. If you sell insurance there are probably no color pictures that will help you sell your product and text messages will work very effectively. But if you sell cars, color pictures can help you sell and may justify the added cost. What are you willing to sacrifice when it's crunch time?

6. Find a Good Sign Company. 

The sign representative should be: amiable, open, interested, relaxed, confident, and qualified. Learn the representatives experience, and training. A very good sign company will use their experience to sell the right sign to the right buyer — you.

• When you do find your company, go into detail when describing what you want in a sign — type, size and resolution. What you want to display and your locations needs. You site survey should help with this.
• Choose a sign company that specializes in the electronic signs. LED signs have special issues that require special expertise. You will often find faster turnaround, higher quality execution, and better pricing when working with such a company. Working with people who are particularly knowledgeable about the issues surrounding a given application and circumstances can save you time and money.
• Where are their signs made? Is it a USA made product sold through a network of factory trained dealers that can assist you before and after the sale with local support. Is it built by American workers familiar with the local codes and marketplace. Or is it an import where fabrication methods, software and support may be questionable.
• What communication method do you need? There are many different ways to communicate with your electronic message center. Understanding the requirements of the LED display in this regard will help in choosing the right technology for your application. Some installations may have specific requirements. Your sales representative should be able to help you select the method will work best for your application and experience.

Talking to an LED sign professional for help you find the the right sign for your company.

• Call Toll Free 1-800-282-0950
• Fill Out Our Easy Online Financing Form
• Free No Obligation Consultation

With that, good luck, good shopping and good business.

Special Tips

Allow for Updates if Needed - If you expect to upgrade in the future, look for a design that is easy to update or change. In many cases, updates can even be made by your staff instead of returning the sign to the manufacture.

Consider Stock Signs - Although most Electronic message centers are custom made, it is possible to find pre-made LED signs. Buying stock LED signs can be much cheaper than having a sign custom-made.

Be Prepared to Wait During the Summer - Sign companies are generally busiest during the summer. Expect longer turnaround times during this time of the year.

What You Need to Install a Sign

Most states require that hardwired electric signs and/or neon be installed by a State Licensed Sign Specialist. To qualify for a license they must be at least 18 years of age, have over 4,000 hours of experience, obtained over a period of not less than 2 years, related to manufacture, installation, maintenance, connection, or repair of electric signs and related wiring, and must take and pass the Sign Specialist examination.

The sign specialist is actively in charge of and responsible for code compliance of all installations, connection, and repair of electric signs and related wiring. To ensure your sign permitting goes smoothly and your electric sign is installed properly, ask if your sign contractor employ's a Licensed Sign Specialist.

Selecting Content for Your Electronic Display

In this day and age age where competition among businesses and other institutions is fierce, an electronic display may be just what you need to help you stand out from the crowd. Electronic displays will make sure that people notice or even discover your business. The Small Business Association notes that a new LED sign can turn your location into a landmark. Wouldn't you want your business to be the focal point in town all the while letting people know what your company is about with eye catching messages? Besides, LED displays are so easy to program that you can pretty much get your message out at the drop of a hat. Communication is the key when it comes to good business and electronic displays are the most cost efficient way for you to do just that.

What do you say?

Indeed, the ability of these electronic displays to convey messages to an audience is truly remarkable but it does give some a dilemma such as what to advertise on a display. It might seem rather daunting but it is far easier than you think. Check out some suggestions below:

• For banks and other financial institutions, you can use your electronic signage to display current interest rates or exchange rates. Remind customers that they offer vehicle financing, sell saving bonds or that the drive thru is open.
• Convenience stores can advertise specials, show fuel prices, or give a holiday greeting.
• Restaurants can use these signs to display their menu items in full color that will leave customers drooling. In the morning rush hour feature breakfast specials, in the evening feature dinner specials. Schedule your messages to suit the time of day.
• Cinemas can use their displays to show movie times and ticket prices or announce coming movies.
• Auto dealers may use these signs to display their new arrivals, promote their auto repair services or make a public service announcement.

That said, when you invest in an electronic display you improve communication and connect with people right on your doorstep. That can do a lot to drive business through your front door.  

The Importance of Electronic Display Signage

In business there are four vital P’s that should be kept in mind when starting up a new business or expanding an existing one, and these four P’s are product, price, place and promotion. The first step in achieving a good promotion is making your business known through creative and attractive signage. There is a reason the global fast food giant McDonald's spends on average $40,000 on signage in each store and has the signage installed even before the physical store is built. They know that promotion is an integral part of any business's success and the best method to do that is through signage. After all, who hasn't com,e to associate the stylized M know as the Golden Arches with this corporate giant? In today's era of technology, McDonald's joins savvy corporations the world over who are embracing the power of electronic display signage with visually rich content.

What is Electronic Display Signage?

Electronic Display signs are the latest buzz in the advertising world. They are electronic screens that keep consumers informed, entertained and educated about a business by displaying visually arresting and media rich content to its intended audience. These devices are usually found in front of retail stores, hotels, restaurants, corporate buildings. Famous locations that house hundreds of electronic display signs are Times Square in New York and the Tokyo Square in Shibuya, Japan.

Why use Electronic Display Signs?

Not all businesses have allotted huge portions of their capital for advertising. However, every businesses that sets aside money for marketing campaigns wants to ensure they receive maximum exposure and wide information dissemination. These can be accomplished by installing electronic display signs. These are the advantages:

• Reduced advertising cost. It may start out as an investment because of the higher initial costs required in the outlay of the sign, but in the long run it will pay for itself with increased profitability and financial health in comparison to traditional forms of advertising like print or radio.
• Flexibility. LED signs come in all shapes and sizes. From large billboards lining interstates to small single line message boards at your local convenience store. There is an LED display to fit any business budget.
• Attracts attention. With it's dancing lights and media rich content, electronic signs attract attention.
• Content can easily be updated, so when new campaigns rise, you can easily upload it via the world wide web with just a click of a mouse.

Electronic signs have definitely changed the way advertisements work and businesses are scrambling to get the latest electronic sign. Don’t you think it’s about time your business installed one? 

How to Choose the Right LED Sign for Your Business?

As a business owner or as a soon-to-be businessman you have a lot of decisions to make, but one of the most important and first thing you should decide on is what signs you will install to advertise your business. Your sign is your “face” so to speak and it's how people will find and remember your business. So you better make your signs first impression a good one.

Elements of good signage

When considering signage for your business, you need to think size and placement first since you want people to be able to see your sign. Your municipality  and landlord may have something to say about the size they will allow and where you can install it. The next thing you need to consider is illumination. That is right, illumination . It doesn't matter how massive your sign is and how well-placed it is; if it is not illuminated, customers will not be able to appreciate it in the dark. Even in the daylight they may think you are closed. This is where purchasing a well designed Outdoor LED Business sign comes in.

Outdoor LED Open Sign

The Benefits

There are so many benefits you can get from outdoor LED signs and they include:

• Durable -- Other types of signs including neon and back-lit fluorescent tubes can break during shipping and handling, LED modules are very durable requiring little maintenance.
• Reduce Energy Costs -- LED signs can draw as little as 10% of conventional light sources, reducing wattage usage as well as your carbon footprint.
• No Mercury -- LED are RoHS compliant

• Flexibility -- Because of the smaller size, LEDs can be used in slim sign cabinets providing more flexibly in sign placement.

• Illumination -- Passersby can see your business from a distance day or night making it a focal point in the neighborhood.
• Location Branding -- Bright LED signs getting the message out about your company's location and help customers find your business in a clutter of competing messages.

So you see, purchasing an outdoor LED business is a real boon and one of the smartest business decisions you can make. 

Why do I need an Outdoor LED Sign

You say "I already have a sign". An Outdoor LED sign or electronic message center offers a unique way to capture the attention of passers-by. A LED sign allows you to communicate more effectively with the typical person passing by at a particular time day by changing the message and graphic of your sign to match the profile on the street. Outdoor electronic LED moving message centers have proven to increase business 15%-150% (Small Business Administration) at 10% the cost of TV, Radio and Newspaper advertising.

You say "my customers already know where I am". Consider the public - your existing and potential customers - is on the move, both literally and figuratively, and sometimes catching their attention is like hitting a moving target. Approximately 85% of customers live within an 5 mile radius of most businesses and 18.6% of Americans move every year. Potentially that is a loss of 18.5% of your current customer base. Add to that the fact that 15-35% of the traffic on a given street is "just passing through" (vacation travelers and such), and you can see the great potential for stops by those unfamiliar with the area.

We no longer live in a 9-to-5 society, and people will drive past your business location 24 hours a day. With a lighted LED Electronic Message Center sign, you have an opportunity to communicate with your existing and potential customer, even when your business is closed and you are at home enjoying your family.