Reach Drivers Before They Pass By
Roadside and building signs sized for Godfrey's open commercial layout
Many Godfrey businesses sit behind wide parking lots, so we help you plan signs that read clearly from the road and guide customers in.
Signs That Bridge the Parking Lot Gap
Godfrey has a spread-out, suburban layout, and much of its business activity lines Godfrey Road with buildings pulled back behind generous parking lots. That setback gives customers room to park, but it also puts distance between your building sign and the drivers you want to reach. A wall sign that looks huge up close can seem small from the road. Successful businesses here often pair a building sign with something closer to traffic, such as a monument-style sign or post-and-panel display near the entrance drive. Metro East Signs works with Madison County businesses from our shop in Shiloh, and we help Godfrey owners think through the full path a customer takes, from first glimpse to front door. The result is signage that works at every distance.
Sizing Business Signs for Viewing Distance
The single biggest mistake with exterior business signs is underestimating distance. A general rule is that each inch of letter height adds roughly ten feet of readable distance, although contrast, font, and lighting all play a role. Drivers moving at road speed also need time to read, decide, and turn, so the sign must be legible well before your entrance. That is why short messages work best: a business name and one or two words about what you do. Thin script fonts and low-contrast color pairings lose impact quickly. When we help you plan a sign, we look at the speed of nearby traffic, the distance from the road, and the space available on your building or lot. That approach helps you invest in the right size the first time instead of replacing a sign that never quite worked.
What Godfrey Businesses Can Expect
Quality products at fair prices lead the way. A roadside or building sign is a long-term investment, so we focus on materials that hold color and stay rigid through Illinois summers and winters, and we keep pricing straightforward. You will also get same-day estimates. Send us your measurements, a photo of your building or lot, and your logo, and we will return pricing the same day so you can compare options without delay. When everything is ready, delivery is available, sparing you a trip down the river road and back while your shop is open. Godfrey is part of the same Metro East region we call home, and we enjoy helping businesses along its busy corridors get the attention they have earned.
Our FAQ's
How tall should the letters be on a building set back from the road?
A common guideline is about one inch of letter height for every ten feet of viewing distance, adjusted for traffic speed and contrast. A building set back several hundred feet may need very large letters, which is why many owners add a sign near the road instead. Measure from where drivers will actually see you, and we can help translate that into a practical size.
What base materials work well under a monument-style business sign?
Monument-style signs often sit on bases finished in brick, stone, split-face block, or a painted metal or PVC cladding. The choice usually depends on matching your building, your budget, and local code requirements. A contractor typically builds the base and footing. We can help you plan the sign faces and overall proportions so the finished piece looks balanced and reads clearly.
Can I use a temporary sign while my permanent sign is being planned?
Yes, many businesses do. A coroplast or PVC panel, a banner-style sign, or window graphics can announce that you are open while permits and the permanent design move forward. Check local rules on temporary signs, since some places limit how long they can stay up. Using the same logo and colors helps customers recognize you when the permanent sign arrives.
Get Seen From Godfrey Road
If customers keep telling you they drove past before finding you, your signage may be working too hard at the wrong distance. Send us a photo from the road and your building dimensions so we can recommend a better approach. Contact us today to start creating powerful business signs that get results. Call (618) 495-3012.