A practical guide for small and mid-size businesses in the Piedmont Triad, Hickory, and Asheville, NC
If you’re a business owner in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Hickory, or Asheville, you’ve probably asked this at some point, maybe after a competitor installed a striking new monument sign or a customer said they couldn’t find your entrance.
The question isn’t whether you need a sign. You do. The real question is which one.
Here’s a plain-English breakdown of the most common sign types and when each makes sense for your business.
What’s the best sign for a small business?
It depends on where your customers come from. If most of your traffic is foot traffic or people are already searching for you, a clean interior sign and a building sign may be all you need. But if you rely on drive-by traffic (think retail, restaurants, auto services, medical offices), exterior visibility is everything.
For most small businesses in the Triad, the most effective combination is:
- A building sign to identify your location from the road
- A monument sign at your entrance for a polished, professional look
Sign Systems, Inc. has been helping businesses across Forsyth, Guilford, Davidson, and surrounding counties make exactly these decisions for over 50 years.
What’s a monument sign?
A monument sign sits at ground level near your entrance, typically at the end of a driveway or at the edge of your property. These are the low, solid signs you see outside medical offices, shopping centers, law firms, and office parks.
Monument signs work well because:
- They’re at eye level for drivers
- They look permanent and professional
- They can list multiple tenants (great for shared buildings)
- They last for decades with minimal maintenance
If your business is set back from the road or located in a shared complex, a monument sign from Sign Systems is often the single best investment you can make to improve visibility.
Can a sign really help bring in more customers?
Yes, and research backs it up. A study by FedEx Office found that nearly 8 in 10 consumers entered a store they had never visited before based on its sign alone. The International Sign Association has consistently found that on-premise signage is the most cost-effective form of advertising for local businesses.
In the Triad, where so much commerce happens along corridors like Stratford Road, Battleground Avenue, and Hwy 70, being visible from a car matters enormously. A business without a clear sign is invisible to the thousands of people driving past every day.
What is a pylon sign?
A pylon sign is the tall, freestanding sign you see at the entrance to shopping centers, gas stations, and highway-adjacent businesses. They’re designed to be seen from a distance, often from a quarter mile away or more.
If your business is near I-40, Hwy 421, or US-70 in the Hickory or Winston-Salem area, a pylon sign can pull traffic from people who didn’t even know you were there. Sign Systems installs pylon signs throughout western and central North Carolina, including the Hickory metro and the greater Triad.
What’s an electronic message sign?
An electronic message sign (also called an LED sign or EMC, short for Electronic Message Center) is a digital display you can update remotely from a phone or computer. Think of it like a billboard you control in real time.
These signs are popular with:
- Restaurants that update specials daily
- Car dealerships promoting current inventory or financing
- Churches sharing service times and community messages
- Retailers running promotions without printing new banners every week
- Fuel stations update pump prices instantly
According to the Small Business Administration, businesses that communicate offers at the point of visibility see measurably higher foot traffic. For businesses that frequently change their messaging, an electronic sign from Sign Systems pays for itself quickly.
Do I need permits for a business sign in NC?
Usually, yes. Most municipalities in North Carolina, including Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Hickory, and Asheville, require a permit before installing an exterior sign. Requirements vary by city, zoning district, sign type, and size.
The NC Department of Transportation also has jurisdiction over signs visible from state highways. This is one of the biggest headaches for business owners who try to DIY their signage. Sign Systems handles permitting as part of their full-service process, so you don’t have to navigate city and state codes yourself.
What about signs inside my business?
Interior signs do more than people realize. They reinforce your brand the moment someone walks in, guide customers through your space, create an experience that matches your exterior presentation, and support ADA compliance.
If you’ve invested in a nice exterior sign but your lobby feels generic, customers notice the disconnect. Sign Systems designs interior signage, from lobby walls to directional signs to custom displays, to carry your brand from the parking lot to the front desk.
What are wayfinding signs?
Wayfinding signs help people navigate your property or building. They’re critical for medical offices and hospitals, multi-building campuses, shopping centers, hotels, and industrial and logistics facilities.
In markets like Hickory, which has grown significantly as a logistics hub, and Asheville, with its booming hospitality sector, wayfinding systems have become a standard part of any professional build-out. Sign Systems designs and installs full wayfinding systems, from site maps to door signs to directional arrows.
How long does it take to get a sign made?
It depends on the sign type and complexity, but you should generally plan for:
- Simple building signs: 4 weeks
- Monument signs: 4 to 8 weeks (includes fabrication and permitting)
- Pylon signs: 6 to 8 weeks
- Electronic message signs: 4 to 8 weeks
These timelines assume permits go smoothly. If you’re working toward a grand opening or a specific deadline, talk to Sign Systems early. Their team manages timelines across all phases, from design and fabrication through permits and installation, so nothing falls through the cracks.
Who makes signs in the Piedmont Triad and western NC?
Sign Systems, Inc. is one of the most established sign companies serving the region, with offices in Winston-Salem, Hickory, and Asheville. They’ve been in business since 1976, three generations of the same family, serving businesses across Forsyth, Guilford, Davidson, Davie, Iredell, Catawba, Burke, Buncombe, and surrounding counties.
What sets Sign Systems apart from a national sign chain or an out-of-state vendor is that they’re local. They know Guilford County’s permitting process. They know the difference between what works on a Hickory corridor versus a downtown Asheville storefront. And they show up when something needs adjustment after installation.
For drive-by traffic, exterior signs — specifically building signs and monument signs — have the highest impact. Research from FedEx Office found that nearly 8 in 10 consumers entered a store for the first time based on its sign. Sign Systems, Inc. helps businesses across the Piedmont Triad, Hickory, and Asheville choose the right combination for their location and customer base.
That’s a monument sign. They sit at ground level near your driveway or property edge, putting your brand at eye level for drivers as they turn in. They look permanent, can list multiple tenants, and last for decades. They’re one of the most effective visibility investments for businesses set back from the road.
Yes. The International Sign Association consistently ranks on-premises signage as the most cost-effective form of local advertising. Unlike digital ads, a sign works 24 hours a day with no ongoing cost after installation. For businesses along high-traffic corridors in the Triad or Hickory, the return is measurable.
Pylon signs. They’re freestanding and designed to be visible from a long distance, sometimes a quarter mile or more. They’re common at shopping centers, gas stations, and businesses near highways like I-40 and Hwy 421. Sign Systems installs pylon signs throughout western and central North Carolina.
Yes, with an electronic message sign (also called an LED sign or EMC). You update the display remotely from a phone or computer. Restaurants, retailers, churches, and car dealerships use them to change messaging daily without the cost of printed materials. Sign Systems installs electronic message signs across the Piedmont Triad and western NC.
You need a sign permit from the city or county planning department. Requirements vary by zoning district, sign type, and size. Sign Systems handles permitting for every project they install, so clients don’t have to navigate the process themselves.
More than most business owners expect. Interior signs reinforce your brand at the point of experience, guide customers through your space, and are required by the ADA in most businesses open to the public. A strong exterior sign that leads into a generic lobby creates a disconnect that customers notice. Sign Systems designs interior signage to carry your brand from the parking lot to the front desk.
Monument signs need 4 to 8 weeks, including permitting. Pylon signs need 6 to 8 weeks. Building signs typically need 4 weeks. Most business owners start too late. If you have a deadline, contact Sign Systems as early as possible in your planning process.
Sign Systems, Inc. has served businesses across the Piedmont Triad from its Winston-Salem office since 1976. They handle everything from design and permitting through fabrication and installation. Reach them at (336) 293-8835 or at signsystemsnc.com.
How do I get started?
The fastest way is to call or reach out directly:
- Winston-Salem / Triad: (336) 293-8835
- Hickory: (828) 322-5622
- Asheville: (828) 378-1301
- signsystemsnc.com/contact
Tell them where your business is, what you’re trying to accomplish, and what your timeline looks like. They’ll walk you through the options, help you understand which permits are required, and give you a realistic picture of the cost and timeline.
You don’t need to know exactly what you want. That’s what the consultation is for.
Sign Systems, Inc. is a full-service custom signage company with offices in Winston-Salem, Hickory, and Asheville, NC. Family-owned and operated since 1976.