Directional signage refers to signs that are designed to direct customers towards various locations within a business or venue. Directional signs provide information to help guide customers seamlessly to where they want or need to go. They serve as a form of wayfinding within an establishment.

Directional signage are types of signs point customers in the right direction to locate specific stores, products, services, facilities and more.

Directional signs come in many forms but generally contain clear visual cues like arrows, icons or text to indicate the path to follow. They are strategically positioned throughout a location based on customer flow and needs.

Implementing directional signage is critical for businesses because it enhances the customer experience. Well-designed signs reduce frustration, confusion and time spent searching. This allows customers to navigate effortlessly and access areas of interest faster. Directional signs also promote safety by pointing to emergency exits. Overall, signage provides an organized look and feel that caters to customers.

Types of Directional Signs

There are several common types of directional signs used to guide customers in businesses and at events. This includes:

Wayfinding/Arrow Signs

These signs use arrows, icons, or text to direct people along the best route to get to their destination within a facility. They help customers navigate different areas and departments.

Entrance and Exit Signs

These signs clearly identify entrances and exits so customers can easily enter and leave buildings (3). Having clear entry and exit points helps with crowd control.

Restroom Signs

Restroom signs direct people to the closest restrooms. They should be visible from long distances and placed strategically for convenience.

ADA/Accessibility Signs

These signs point people with disabilities or limited mobility to accessible entrances/exits, elevators, restrooms and more.

Department and Product Signs

In retail stores, signs can direct shoppers to specific departments or product categories to facilitate shopping.

Event Venue Signs

For events, directional signs guide attendees to various locations like stages, seating areas, food vendors, and more.

Benefits of Directional Signage

Implementing clear and effective directional signage offers numerous benefits for businesses looking to improve their customer experience. As one of the key components of wayfinding, directional signs help guide customers seamlessly through a location to find what they need.

Some of the top benefits of directional signage include:

Helps customers navigate easily – Well-placed directional signs allow customers to effortlessly find their way around a store, venue or facility. Signs pointing them to various departments, exits or bathrooms prevent confusion and aimless wandering. According to Decorworx, “Proper directional signage alleviates the stress that comes with aimlessly walking around a store.”

Reduces frustration and confusion – Customers can feel frustrated when they can’t locate what they need. Directional signs reduce this by giving clear guidance on how to get to destinations. The Rea Group notes that clear wayfinding signage helps customers “navigate through a business more easily and comfortably.” 

Gets customers where they want faster – Well-placed directional signs get customers where they want to go quicker. This improves efficiency and the overall experience. Signs help them take the optimal path to key destinations without backtracking or getting turned around.

Enhances ability to find products/areas – In retail stores especially, directional signage points customers to specific departments and product displays. This makes it easier for them to browse, compare options and find what they need.

Improves safety by pointing to exits – Having clear and visible exit signs directs people safely out of a building in case of emergency. Easy-to-spot directional arrows also guide to emergency exits.

Best Practices for Directional Signage

There are several best practices businesses should follow when implementing directional signage to maximize its effectiveness:

Strategically place signs based on customer flow and needs. Analyze the typical paths customers take in your location and identify key decision points where they may need direction. Position signs prominently leading up to these areas.

Make signs visually clear and easy to spot. Use high contrast colors, large text, recognizable icons and ample negative space around text. Position signs at eye level and ensure they are not blocked by other elements.Use colors and shapes that stand out. Signs should contrast with their surroundings. Consider using your brand colors and style. Consistent colors and shapes make signs more identifiable.

Include arrows, icons or other intuitive symbols. Arrows clearly point users in the right direction. Icons represent destinations pictorially. Both enhance comprehension for all.

Ensure ADA compliance. Signs must be accessible to those with disabilities. Follow standards for font sizes, color contrast, braille text and positioning.

Implementing a Wayfinding System

A successful wayfinding system starts with understanding your customers’ needs and mapping out ideal traffic flow in your facility. Here are some best practices when implementing wayfinding signage:

First, observe and assess areas where customers struggle to find their way. Conduct surveys to pinpoint pain points. Analyze customer traffic patterns and identify optimal routes.

Next, develop a comprehensive signage strategy and plan that addresses problem areas. Map out exact locations for signs based on traffic flow analysis. Determine sign types, sizes, colors, templates and placement.

Make sure signage adheres to ADA requirements for accessibility. Include braille and meet standards for character height and contrast.

Finally, install the signs using durable materials. Allow for flexibility to shift signs later if needed. Provide training for staff on the wayfinding system.

Ongoing maintenance is key. Monitor signage effectiveness, replace damaged signs promptly and modify over time per customer feedback.

Implementing strategic wayfinding signage this way improves customer experience and business operations.

Digital Directional Signage

Digital directional signage offers many benefits compared to traditional static signage. With digital signs, businesses can display wayfinding directions, maps, and other information that can be updated in real time.

Some key advantages of digital signage include:

• Ability to remotely update content and directions instantly from a central dashboard
• Display interactive wayfinding maps and directories to help guide customers
• Promote products, services, or events on the screens when not being used for directions
• Gather analytics on what directions customers are engaging with most
• Integrate with inventory systems to update directions based on product availability
• Alert customers of emergencies or closures immediately

With the flexibility of digital displays, businesses can optimize their directional signage dynamically in real time. This leads to better customer experiences and enables data-driven decisions.

Signage for Retail Stores

Directional and wayfinding signage is critical in retail stores to guide customers, promote specific products and locations, and make the shopping experience easy and seamless. There are several types of signs retail stores should utilize:

Entrance Signs

Having clear branded entrance signage establishes your store and lets customers know they’ve arrived at the right place. Entrance signs may display your logo, store name, hours, phone number, and other helpful information.

Signs for Departments and Product Areas

Department signs help customers easily navigate and find the products they need. Arrows, icons, or text can direct shoppers to departments like furniture, electronics, home goods, clothing, groceries, etc. Within departments, signs can point customers to narrower categories like baby, kitchenware, pet supplies, and more. Clear category and product signs improve convenience.

Custom signs help guide customers throughout your store layout.

Directional Signs to High-Priority Products

Strategically placed directional signs can highlight sale items, bestsellers, and new arrivals you want customers to notice. Pointing shoppers to priority products they might otherwise miss can increase exposure and drive sales.

Window and External Signs

Window and outdoor signs attract customers into your store and showcase current promotions. They help brand your store externally and are part of an effective retail signage strategy.

Signage for Events

Signage is an extremely important element at any large event to help attendees navigate the venue and find what they need. External signs should guide people from the parking areas and drop-off zones to the main entrances. These may include large banners or signs attached to fencing pointing visitors to the appropriate gate numbers or doors.

Inside the venue, directional signage points attendees to various halls, meeting rooms, sessions, exhibits, and other areas of interest. These signs should be highly visible, using colors and fonts that stand out. Icons can also help illustrate what is in each direction. Strategically placed restroom signs keep lines moving smoothly so guests can find facilities easily. Signs should also clearly direct people to emergency exits in case of an evacuation.

For multi-day conferences and trade shows, digital signage allows event organizers to update directions in real-time. As sessions change rooms or exhibits move around, the information stays current on digital displays.

Outdoor signage may also need to withstand weather and high traffic. Choosing durable materials like foam board, coroplast or acrylic ensures signs last through the event.

Key Takeaways

Directional signage provides critical wayfinding that enhances the customer experience in any business location or event. As outlined in this guide, directional signs:

• Help customers navigate unfamiliar environments with ease
• Reduce frustration and confusion by showing people where to go
• Get customers where they want to faster so they can enjoy their experience
• Make it easy to locate products, services and key areas of interest
• Improve safety by clearly pointing people to exits

For businesses, implementing thoughtful directional signage results in a more organized, polished environment and happier customers. Ultimately, this increases sales. The ROI can be significant.

If you want to enhance customer experience in your business, start evaluating where strategic directional signage can guide your customers. Focus on high traffic areas and locations where people commonly ask for directions. The investment will pay dividends!

Next Steps for Businesses

Once you understand the value of implementing directional signage in your business, the next step is to create a plan to make it happen. Here are some tips on getting started:

Assess current signage and identify gaps. Take a walk through your business location and note areas that lack sufficient signage to guide customers. Pay attention to key decision points, entrances/exits, and destinations like restrooms, departments, etc. This assessment will reveal where additional signs are needed.

Create signage strategy and plan. Based on your assessment, develop a comprehensive signage plan that details the number, type, placement, and messaging for new signs. Make sure the plan aligns with your brand style and customer needs. Think about wayfinding from your customer’s perspective.

Determine budget. Factor in costs for sign materials, production, installation and future maintenance. Getting quotes from sign companies will help estimate your budget.

Select sign types and designs. Choose aesthetically pleasing and functional signs that are consistent with your brand image. Consider sign materials, shapes, colors, fonts, and visibility factors.

Install new directional signage. Hire a professional sign company to produce and install high-quality signage. Make sure proper permits and codes are followed. Test that sign placement works as intended for customers.

Don’t forget that signage needs may evolve over time. Periodically evaluate your signage strategy to identify necessary updates or changes.