When you're in the business of landscaping, roofing, pressure washing, or home services, word-of-mouth is everything.
But what if you could turn every happy customer into a silent salesman for your company?
That's exactly what the right yard sign can do.
Here are 5 simple, powerful ways to use custom yard signs to boost referrals and grow your service business.
1. Place signs before starting a job, take it with you when you leave
Strategic Timing
Timing matters. As soon as you finish a project — whether it's a newly landscaped yard, a freshly cleaned driveway, or a brand-new roof — plant a professional yard sign.
Neighbors and passersby will notice the transformation and immediately associate your company with great results.
For events or sales, timing should align with when people make decisions - not too early that they forget, not so late they can't act.
Tip:
Always get customer permission first. Most are proud of the work and happy to help promote you!
2. Use Bold, Readable Designs
Design Considerations
Your yard signs only have a few seconds to grab attention. Focus on simple, high-contrast colors, large fonts, and clear contact information.
Keep messages short and readable from a distance. Use high contrast colors and large, bold fonts. Make sure the most important information (candidate name, event date, etc.) is the most prominent element.
Skip crowded designs — your name, service, and phone number/website are the must-haves.
Tip:
Use a slogan like “Trusted by Your Neighbors” or “Local, Reliable, Professional” for extra credibility.
3. Offer a Referral Incentive
Add a small note to your sign like:
“Ask about our Neighbor Discount!” or “Referral Rewards Available!”
This encourages homeowners to tell friends about your services — and rewards them for spreading the word.
Consider QR Codes or Promo Codes in your signs to attract more customers' attention "use code: SAVE20" to get $20 off your service
Tip:
Have simple business cards ready to leave behind too.
4. Rotate Signs for Maximum Visibility
If your customer agrees, move the sign every few days to a new spot on the property:
-
Closer to high-traffic roads
-
Near a walkway
-
Facing a busy intersection
Changing locations keeps your yard sign visible to different groups of potential customers.
Tip:
Offer a small discount or free service touch-up if the customer keeps the sign up for two weeks or more.
5. Use google review score "Rated 5.0 on google" adds all the great signals.
Local Search Impact: Higher average ratings (4+ stars) signal to Google that a business consistently provides a positive customer experience, warranting a higher local search ranking. This means when potential customers see your yard sign and search for your business online, a strong Google rating helps them find you more easily.
Consumer Trust Factor: 97% of people read reviews before even considering a local place. This means yard signs that drive people to look up your business online will be significantly more effective if you have strong Google reviews.
Source: www.birdeye.com - The importance of Google reviews for local businesses I Birdeye
Quotes from Industry Professionals:
"We've tried everything - Facebook ads, Google ads, direct mail. Nothing beats the consistent lead generation from yard signs. Our $1,000 annual investment in signs generates over $200,000 in revenue yearly."
- Marketing Director, Home Services Company
"Started with 20 yard signs and $100. Those signs led to our first $10,000 month. Now we use 500+ signs across three cities and do $2M annually. Yard signs built this business."
- Contractor Success Story
Legal and Permission Requirements
Check local ordinances first, as many municipalities have specific rules about sign size, placement timing, and duration. Always get permission from property owners before placing signs on private property. Respect setback requirements from roads and property lines.
Build Your Brand One Yard at a Time
Every sign you plant is more than just an ad — it's a testimonial in the real world.
At YardSigns.com, we help service companies create custom yard signs that get noticed, build trust, and bring in new business.
