Are Yard Signs Effective for Business?

Horizon Signs & Lighting • April 22, 2025

TL;DR;

Yes—yard signs are highly effective for businesses, especially local ones. They’re affordable, easy to deploy, and provide excellent visibility in high-traffic areas. When used correctly, yard signs can significantly boost brand recognition, attract new customers, and support other marketing channels.

What Are Yard Signs and How Do Businesses Use Them?

Yard signs, also known as lawn signs or outdoor signage, are small to medium-sized printed signs typically placed on lawns or near roadsides to promote a business, event, or message.

Types of Yard Signs for Business:

Coroplast signs: Lightweight, weather-resistant, and cost-effective
H-stake signs: Inserted into the ground using H-shaped wires
Metal frame signs: Durable option for longer-term displays
Double-sided signs: Great for visibility from multiple directions

Industries That Commonly Use Yard Signs:

Real estate agents advertising homes for sale
Political campaigns
Home service providers (landscapers, roofers, HVAC)
Event organizers (garage sales, festivals, local fairs)
Contractors and small businesses

These signs are used to increase local brand visibility and create a direct, hyperlocal advertising presence in neighborhoods and communities.

Do Yard Signs Really Work?

Absolutely. Multiple studies and case examples demonstrate the effectiveness of yard sign marketing.

What the Numbers Say:

A FedEx Office survey reported that 76% of consumers entered a store or business they had never visited before simply because of its signs.
The American Signage Association found that signage increases brand awareness by 47.7%.
Yard signs can generate thousands of daily impressions in high-traffic zones—at a fraction of the cost of digital ads.

Why They Work:

They're placed where your potential customers live, commute, or work
They provide constant exposure—24/7 visibility with no ongoing spend
They increase the chance of impulse decisions for local services

Where to Place Yard Signs for Maximum Visibility

Placement is everything. Even the best-designed sign won’t convert if it’s placed in the wrong spot.

Best Places to Place Yard Signs:

Residential lawns near your service area
Street corners and intersections with stop signs or traffic lights
Outside job sites or businesses you’ve recently served
Near shopping plazas and high foot-traffic zones
Community boards or public green spaces (where permitted)

What to Watch For:

Sign ordinance laws – Always check your city or county’s rules
Avoid cluttered areas where your sign may get lost
Face traffic flow for max exposure

Pro Tip: Always ask satisfied customers if you can place a sign in their yard for a few days or weeks. It’s free exposure and a subtle endorsement.

How to Design Yard Signs That Get Noticed

The design of your yard sign is just as important as its message.

Key Design Tips:

Use bold, readable fonts – Avoid script or fancy typefaces
High contrast colors – Black on yellow or white on red are great combos
Simple messages – Focus on ONE call to action
Use logos consistently to build recognition
Leave whitespace – Don't clutter the sign with too much info

Effective Sign Layout Elements:

Top: Logo or company name
Middle: Service or offer (e.g., “Free Roof Inspections”)
Bottom: Phone number or QR code

Don’t Forget:

Include your website URL or custom landing page
Add a QR code linking to reviews, portfolio, or quote form
Test your sign from 10+ feet away before printing

Yard Sign Advertising Cost vs. Other Marketing Methods

Yard signs are one of the most affordable and high-return advertising tools for local businesses.

Cost Breakdown:

Coroplast signs: $3–$10 per unit in bulk
H-stakes: $0.75–$1.25 per piece
Design & printing: Often bundled or low-cost

Compare That To:

Google Ads: $1–$10+ per click
Flyers/Postcards: $0.20–$0.50 per unit + postage
Billboards: $500–$3,000/month

Why It Matters:

Yard signs offer a low cost-per-impression
No recurring costs after setup
Can be reused for multiple campaigns or seasons

At Horizon Signs and Lighting, our clients typically see returns 5x to 10x the original cost of their sign investment when executed well.

Integrating Yard Signs with Digital Marketing

Yard signs don’t need to be old-school—they can power your digital marketing, too.

Ways to Merge Offline and Online Campaigns:

Add QR codes that lead to booking pages or discount offers
Include UTM-coded URLs to track web visits
Promote social handles like “@YourBusiness” directly on the sign
Use call tracking numbers to monitor response

What This Creates:

A seamless transition from physical to digital
A cross-channel strategy that boosts reach and engagement
Easy tracking of what's working and what’s not

Pairing signs with Facebook ads or Google Local campaigns can create a powerful, multi-touch experience for your audience.

Common Yard Sign Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced businesses can make missteps with signage.

Frequent Errors:

Overcrowded design – Too many words, too little impact
Bad placement – Low visibility or restricted zones
Neglecting maintenance – Dirty, damaged, or faded signs
Tiny fonts – Hard to read from a moving vehicle
Lack of CTA – No phone number or clear action

Quick Fixes:

Stick to 5–7 words max
Place signs at eye level and angled toward traffic
Rotate signs to keep them fresh and visible
Test layouts with a mockup before bulk printing

At Horizon Signs and Lighting, we guide clients through proper design and placement to ensure maximum results from every campaign.

Should You Use Yard Signs for Your Business?

Absolutely—yard signs are not outdated.

They remain one of the most effective offline marketing tools available today. When you need cost-effective, local, and high-impact advertising, yard signs deliver results.

Why They’re Still Worth It: