Most people decide whether to walk into a small business in the few seconds it takes to walk or drive past. A storefront window has one job in those seconds: tell them what you do and that you're open. Here's how to make a window sign do that well.
The signs mentioned here are from our own shop: engraved acrylic LED signs, about 12 × 8 inches. Prices start at $28.45, as of October 2026.
1. Say what you do, not just that you're open
"Open" tells a passerby that something is open. "Tattoo", "Coffee" or "We Buy Jewelry" tells them whether it's something they want. If you only have room for one sign, make it the one that names your business type. People who are looking for exactly that are the walk-ins most likely to come through the door.
2. Keep it to a word or two
Someone driving past reads a sign in a glance. One or two big words beat a sentence. Save your hours, prices and phone number for the door decal or a printed card at eye level, where people on foot can read them up close.
3. Hang it where people actually look
- Face the traffic. If most people approach from one direction, angle the sign or hang it on the side of the window they see first.
- Keep it clear of clutter. A lit sign surrounded by posters and decals gets lost. Give it some empty glass around it.
- Check from across the street. Once it's up, walk to the far sidewalk, or drive past, and see whether you can read it at a glance. Adjust the height or position if you can't.
Hanging it: our signs come with a metal hanging chain. Hang the chain from a hook in the window frame or ceiling, or from a suction-cup hook rated for the sign's weight. Each sign runs on a USB power cord with an inline on/off switch, plugged into the included USB wall adapter, so you'll need an outlet nearby.
4. Switch it on when it counts
A lit sign stands out most on gray days, early mornings and after dark, which are exactly the hours a cafe opens or a tattoo shop does its evening walk-ins. Switch it on when you open and off when you close, and the sign itself tells people your hours.
5. Add one useful second sign
After your main sign, a second sign that answers a common question can pull in people who weren't planning to stop:
- ATM: tells passersby they can get cash inside.
- Free WiFi: a strong draw for cafes and anywhere people wait.
Stop at two. More than that and the window starts to compete with itself.
6. Check your local rules
Some cities, shopping centers and landlords have rules about lit or window signs, such as size limits or no flashing lights. Our signs are small and don't flash, but a quick check with your landlord or city before you hang one saves trouble later.
Sign ideas by business type
Cafes, coffee shops and bakeries
The Coffee sign ($29.95) and the Donut sign ($29.95) work best in the window that faces the morning foot traffic. Pair either one with Free WiFi if people stay to work. More in cafe and restaurant signs.
Tattoo and piercing studios
Evening walk-ins are a big part of the business, so a lit sign earns its keep after dark. Choose the Tattoo sign or the Piercing sign ($29.95 each), whichever brings in more of your business. More in tattoo and piercing signs.
Pawn shops and jewelry buyers
The We Buy Jewelry sign ($29.95) speaks to sellers, the customers who have the most reason to walk in. Add ATM as a second sign if you have one inside. More in pawn shop signs.
Spas and massage studios
The Massage sign ($28.45) uses a classic script and comes in white, red, blue or pink, so you can match the color to your space.
Liquor stores
The Liquor sign ($29.95) is visible from the parking lot, which is where most of your customers decide to stop. More in liquor store signs.
Quick answers
How big are the signs?
About 12 × 8 inches (300 × 200 mm), with a slim black acrylic frame along the top. That's sized for a shop window or the wall behind a counter, not a building façade.
What do they plug into?
A USB power cord with an inline on/off switch and a USB wall adapter, both included. There's no wiring or installation.
Are they neon?
No. The design is engraved into clear acrylic and lit by LEDs, so you get a neon-style glow without glass tubes.
How fast do they ship?
Orders ship within 2–3 business days and arrive 2–4 business days later, free anywhere in the US. Returns are free for 30 days.
Find the sign for your business: browse all business LED signs. Questions about which one fits your window? Get in touch and I'll help you pick.