Selecting the Right Banner Stands

The use of banner stands in marketing is growing. Known as in-place media, the relatively low investment needed, plus the simplicity of deployment makes banner marketing ideal for many types of business. Retailers who rely on awareness and walk in traffic use banner stands to promote sales, special offers and new products and services. Restaurants can promote menu items, nightly specialties and special events. Banner stands are also great for internal corporate communications. If considering investing in a set of banner stands to market and grow your business, here are some key things to keep in mind.

Banner use is a key consideration. There are lots of systems and styles available, so before leaping into a purchase, think carefully about how you'll use the banner in your business. The type of banner used on a pavement to drive walk-in traffic will be different from one used to communicate product benefits at a trade show booth.

The environment the banner will be used in is also important to consider. If the application is in-store in a high-traffic area, it is important to get a banner with a heavier, sturdier base so it will stay upright if knocked about a bit. Depending on where it will be, a single-sided banner may be sufficient, but in cases where traffic comes from both sides, a double-sided stand will work better.

Also consider if the banner stand is to be used inside, outside or both. As with banners to be used in areas of high pedestrian traffic, outside banners need to be sturdier. They will also need to be put out and brought in everyday, so a retractable system, which is quick to deploy, should be considered. Extra tall banners are useful as they stick out above pedestrians or display cases.

Portability is also important, especially for trade shows. If one needs to ship or carry along the displays it is important that the banner and graphic be easy to carry and able to stand up to handling without damage. Retractable banners are also useful in this application because the graphic safely rolls up into a protective cartridge. Other systems come with purpose built carrying cases that protect the mechanism and graphics.

Models with interchangeable cartridges are also worth considering if one needs to change messaging regularly. A restaurant that has different nightly specials could benefit from an interchangeable cartridge system. Each day the appropriate cartridge is put in and the banner can quickly be put up. This system is also good for retailers or others who change products over the course of the year. Instead of purchasing a whole new banner system, all one needs is a new cartridge.

In-place media needs to be seen to be effective. Typically bigger is better when it comes to a banner display, but sometimes the environment may make getting the maximum size difficult. Banner stands come in a variety of size configurations to make it easy to fill just about any space. Curved displays can utilise otherwise useless corner areas. Tall banners can draw customers to the back of a store.

Of course a key consideration is cost. Marketing needs to provide a return on investment to be worthwhile, and banner displays are very cost effective. Depending on the number and models chosen, the initial investment can be modest, plus the use is ongoing. This is unlike other types of media that are only effective when the media is running. Banner stands are always on the air and therefore are a great use of marketing pounds.