In general, yard signage is not a very complicated product. Compared to say, window graphics, custom lawn signs are much more user-friendly. However, there are a few problems that occur when using them to promote your business. By reading this article, hopefully you'll be able to prevent these problems-- if they've already happened, at least you'll know how to avoid them in the future.

No response- The biggest concern when ordering yard signs is that no one will notice them, or that they will be seen but customers won't respond to them. The key to avoiding this issue is to create a design that's eye-catching and compelling. The design should be bold and visually-interesting, but not so much so that viewers are turned off by all the "noise." Make sure your content is relevant and useful-leave the customer with something after they read your message. This could be a great offer, or even a promise of great deals inside the store. You want to encourage your viewer to take action after viewing your ad.
Legal issues- Another big problem that customers sometimes run into is the legality of displaying a yard sign in your preferred location. Many building landlords, and especially neighborhood home associations, have stipulations that advertising cannot be displayed (at least during certain hours). To prevent a citation or even a waste of money from ordering products that you cannot use, always check with the appropriate parties ahead-of-time to make sure you can display your lawn signs.
Signs getting stolen- Some customers report that after ordering lawn signs, over time they find that they are stolen. While it's virtually-impossible to prevent vandalism, you can order a more-secure material as a precautionary measure. Cheap corrugated signs placed on wire stakes are easy to remove by pranksters or even someone unhappy with your message (political signs, for instance, can be polarizing). Instead, use an aluminum or metal sign mounted in an iron frame-this can still be removed, but it's much more-difficult. If this isn't enough, consider mounting your sign to the side of your building so that it cannot be removed.
Weather damage- Damage from storms and harsh weather can sometimes affect your yard signs. All yard signage materials are designed for outdoor use, however some may not last as long as others. Corrugated plastic, for instance, is water-proof, but high winds, hail, etc., could damage your sign or even blow it away. Weather can be unpredictable, but if you know a storm is coming, it's best to bring your signs inside. They're easy to remove, and you'll save money in the long run as you won't have to replace your signs.
Sign won't stay- This depends on how you choose to mount, hang, or frame your sign. If they are placed in a high wind area, it's best to mount them in a frame, as opposed to on wire stakes. In addition, thinner materials like aluminum sometimes move back and forth in a real estate frame. If this is a concern for you, most real estate frames have holes on the top and bottom which allow you to screw the sign to the frame for added stability.

Robert Kinder works as a Production Manager for a local sign company in Dallas, Texas. He has worked in the sign printing industry for over 15 years providing printing and installation for local small businesses and large corporate customers. Robert enjoys passing along his trade secrets and knowledge to help others better understand their signage and their needs. His extensive knowledge about the sign industry and hands-on experience make him an expert on everything signs.

As a veteran sign expert, Robert has extensive knowledge in retail signs and lawn signs. In his articles he covers tips for sign design, techniques for proper sign installation, common signage questions, and the different material choices for yard sign advertising like political yard signs, real estate yard signs and metal yard signs.