Most business owners look for different ways that they can differentiate themselves, and one of the most popular methods of differentiation is through personalization. In the business concept of personalization, the business takes steps to make itself personal and real to the customers. Instead of just being a faceless entity, it becomes an individual or a group of people who are working together toward a common goal or with a common interest. Various studies have shown that it makes a tremendous difference in increasing customer loyalty. And while there are many things which you can do to incorporate a personal touch in your website design, one of the best things that you can do is add your signature.
Signatures in General
Signatures are inherently personal. It's your signing touch, quite literally. Artists add it to their completed paintings, and authors add it to their books. It's a way of making yourself known and allowing that work to reflect back on you. It creates a personal connection with your shoppers also because they can see that there is in fact a person. Instead of being "business.com," you are now "Joe Business Owner."
Where to Put It?
Signatures can be used in a variety of places. Often it's best when put at the bottom of a sales letter, a guarantee, or even just under the business name with a short catchy statement. The purpose is to remind the customers that you are here to do business with them. You can experiment with different placements and emphasis styles to determine which ones you like best.
To Practice or Not to Practice
Your signature changes on a regular basis. While the basis structure will likely remain the same, the way that you form the individual letters will change somewhat. This is often based on a combination of your mood, dexterity, and external conditions. For instance, your signature on a digital signature pad at the grocery store is going to look very different on the letter you send to your grandmother. It will also change based on the kind of ink you use and the kind of paper you write on.
Some business owners are against the idea of practicing a formal business signature. They feel that it is unnecessary. The basic signature as you write it for your website should be enough. Others, however, believe that it is a sales technique which should be polished. Schools used to teach penmanship because it was supposedly a reflection on someone's character. It is not nearly such a focus today, but it may still have some effect on viewers when they see a signature.
In either case, you will need to ensure that your signature is at least clear on the screen. Some folks like doctors are notorious for having signatures which are not legible. If that's you and you don't want to change it, that's fine. Just make sure that the ink and the image is not blurred. Blurry images and smeared ink are definitely likely to make you look unprofessional.
Signatures in General
Signatures are inherently personal. It's your signing touch, quite literally. Artists add it to their completed paintings, and authors add it to their books. It's a way of making yourself known and allowing that work to reflect back on you. It creates a personal connection with your shoppers also because they can see that there is in fact a person. Instead of being "business.com," you are now "Joe Business Owner."
Where to Put It?
Signatures can be used in a variety of places. Often it's best when put at the bottom of a sales letter, a guarantee, or even just under the business name with a short catchy statement. The purpose is to remind the customers that you are here to do business with them. You can experiment with different placements and emphasis styles to determine which ones you like best.
To Practice or Not to Practice
Your signature changes on a regular basis. While the basis structure will likely remain the same, the way that you form the individual letters will change somewhat. This is often based on a combination of your mood, dexterity, and external conditions. For instance, your signature on a digital signature pad at the grocery store is going to look very different on the letter you send to your grandmother. It will also change based on the kind of ink you use and the kind of paper you write on.
Some business owners are against the idea of practicing a formal business signature. They feel that it is unnecessary. The basic signature as you write it for your website should be enough. Others, however, believe that it is a sales technique which should be polished. Schools used to teach penmanship because it was supposedly a reflection on someone's character. It is not nearly such a focus today, but it may still have some effect on viewers when they see a signature.
In either case, you will need to ensure that your signature is at least clear on the screen. Some folks like doctors are notorious for having signatures which are not legible. If that's you and you don't want to change it, that's fine. Just make sure that the ink and the image is not blurred. Blurry images and smeared ink are definitely likely to make you look unprofessional.