Car Dealership Lot Displays That Last All Year
Car dealerships were using balloons, flags and pennant strings long before anyone talked about “curb appeal.” The reason is simple: most car shoppers drive past several lots before they stop at one. The lot that catches their eye from the road gets the first look.
The challenge is keeping that display looking good. Latex balloons that were bright on Saturday morning are faded and drooping by Tuesday. Flags fray. Banners fade. A lot that looks tired sends the wrong message about the cars on it.
Here’s how to plan lot displays that work every day, not just on sale weekends.
What a lot display needs to do
A good dealership display does three things:
- Gets noticed from the road. Drivers decide in seconds. Displays need height and bright color to rise above rows of cars and other signs along a commercial strip.
- Points to the right place. The display should draw the eye to your entrance and the vehicles you most want people to see, not just to the lot in general.
- Looks well kept. Shoppers judge the dealership by what they see first. A clean, bright display says the business pays attention to details.
Where to put displays
- At the entrance. The most important spot. Drivers should know where to turn in before they reach your driveway.
- Along the road frontage. Space displays along the front row so the lot reads as active from either direction of traffic.
- On featured vehicles. Specials, new arrivals and the front-row “hero” cars.
- At the service entrance. Service customers are future buyers, and a clear entrance helps them find the right driveway.
Keep displays out of the public right-of-way and away from sight lines at the driveway, so they don’t block drivers pulling out.
Everyday displays vs. event displays
Think of lot displays in two layers.
Everyday displays stay up all the time. They should be durable, low-maintenance and in your brand colors, so the lot looks consistent week after week.
Event displays go up for sales events: holiday weekends, model-year clearance, tent sales. These can be bigger and louder, and they come down when the event ends. Changing the look for events also signals to regular commuters that something new is happening.
Why latex balloons are hard to keep up
Latex balloons are cheap and familiar, but outdoors they break down fast:
- Sun and heat fade and weaken latex within days.
- Wind rubs balloons against each other, mirrors and antennas until they pop.
- Helium is an ongoing cost, and the balloons still sag as it leaks out.
- Popped balloons end up as litter on the lot and in landscaping.
Many dealerships end up either paying staff or a vendor to replace balloons every week, or leaving tired balloons up long after they stopped helping. (See Latex Balloons vs. Durable Outdoor Balloon Displays for a way to compare the real cost.)
What to look for in a display that lasts
- Outdoor-grade materials that resist UV fading
- A rigid pole and mount so balloons stay in place instead of rubbing themselves apart
- Air fill instead of helium, so there’s no tank to refill
- A secure base suited to asphalt, concrete or grass
- Quick setup and takedown, so the team can move displays for events or bring them in before storms
- Replaceable parts, so one worn balloon doesn’t mean replacing the whole display
(More on weather in Outdoor Balloon Displays in Wind, Sun, Heat and Rain.)
Check the sign rules
Many cities regulate balloons, flags, pennants and inflatables as temporary signs or “attention-getting devices.” Some ban them outright; others limit them to a set number of days per year or require a permit. Check your city’s sign code before adding displays, especially for large inflatables. (See Curb Appeal That Gets Noticed and Stays Within Your City’s Sign Rules.)
And skip balloon releases at events. Twelve states now restrict them. (See Balloon Release Laws by State.)
A simple lot display plan
| Where | Everyday | Sales events |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance | Durable display in brand colors | Add a larger display or banner with the event name |
| Road frontage | Displays spaced along the front row | Add flags or extra displays |
| Featured vehicles | Window signs or a small display | Event pricing signs |
| Service entrance | Clear directional sign | Same |
Keep it looking good
- Walk the lot each week and check that displays are clean, upright and secure.
- Replace faded or damaged pieces before they start to look tired.
- Take displays down or secure them before severe weather.
- Change event displays when the event ends, so the special doesn’t look stale.
The bottom line
Dealership lot displays still work because car shoppers still drive past lots before they choose one. Put durable displays at the entrance and along the road every day, add event displays for sales weekends, and keep everything looking fresh.
Balloon Street Media is building durable outdoor balloon displays for dealerships and other businesses that need to be seen from the road. Join the list to hear when they launch.