“We continually work as a company to educate sign companies to use this tool to engage with their customers. We study the trends to make sure we’re coaching the sign companies in understanding how to market their business in the most effective manner for today’s landscape. Just being there and having a Web presence is key when people are reaching out for information.”

Shockingly, only 54 percent of small businesses have a Web presence today, she adds. But 76 percent of consumers go online prior to making a buying decision, to get a phone number, take a look at examples, learn the company‘s hours and locations, and read testimonials about its work.

Moreover, in studies SignPresence has conducted focused on “leaders versus laggards”, the profitable growth is coming among companies with a web presence that is both engaging and offers functionality, such as file transfer, proofing, a current portfolio of work, and order centers for key customers. Sign companies setting up online catalogs for their existing customers are witnessing a 30 percent increase in business for those same customers, she says.

HP Hiflex Web-to-Print Solution

A highly refined tool providing a user-friendly online storefront, the Web-to-print solution from HP Hiflex (www.MyPRINTResource.com/10071015), links buyers directly to the production floor, helping facilitate the customization of marketing campaigns with online product design, and secure payment processing. It’s main features include flexible product configuration, online product design, automatic data verification, shopping cart with secure payment processing, a Drupal (open source) content management system, back-office automation, prospect acquisition, search engine marketing, and B2B portals for enhanced customer loyalty.

“The HP Hiflex Web-to-Print Solution enables print service providers to attract customers from around the world via a Web shop that displays products in a simple, dynamic matrix and supports multiple languages and currencies,” says Stefan Reichhart, director of sales and marketing worldwide, HP Hiflex.

“PSPs can offer customized B2C and B2B interfaces on multiple domains for a targeted customer experience that builds brand loyalty with customers. For business clients, PSPs can create exclusive branded Web shops that offer additional convenience to meet those clients’ needs.”

He added the core HP Hiflex Web-to-Print Solution is ideal for general commercial PSPs, while the HP Hiflex Web-to-Print Solution for Sign and Display is adapted to meet the needs of PSPs specializing in the large-format sign and display market.