The main sign brings people to the building. The front door tells them they are welcome, open and in the right place.
Front door signage answers the questions a customer has in the last few steps before they walk in. Is this the right business, is it open, and which door should I use? The main sign on the building does not answer those questions from arm’s length, so the door and the glass beside it have to.
This guide covers the signs most business entrances need, the ones that are required, and how to keep the entrance clear rather than crowded. For the wider storefront, see our guide to retail storefront signs.
What a Business Front Door Needs
Name and Logo on the Glass
The door should repeat the business name and logo at eye level, because people standing at the entrance often cannot see the main sign above them. Cut vinyl lettering in white, black or a metallic finish keeps it crisp and leaves the glass clear. Gold and silver leaf styles suit restaurants, barbers and boutiques with a classic look. See our Window Decals page for lettering styles.
Business Hours
Hours on the door save customers a wasted trip and a phone call. Keep them in a simple list at eye level beside the handle, and update them whenever the hours online change, because a mismatch between the door and your Google listing is a common source of complaints. Removable vinyl makes seasonal changes easy.
Address Numbers
Address numbers help customers, delivery drivers and emergency crews find the right door. The International Fire Code, which forms the basis of New Jersey’s fire code, requires address numbers that are visible from the street and contrast with their background, and many towns set a minimum size. Put them on the building or above the door rather than only on the glass, where reflections can hide them.
The Accessible Entrance
Where a building has more than one entrance and not all are accessible, the 2010 ADA Standards require the accessible entrances to be marked with the International Symbol of Accessibility, and the other entrances to direct people to the nearest accessible one. A small, clear sign at each door solves this. See our ADA Signs page for compliant options, and our guide to ADA sign requirements for businesses for the rules.
Delivery and Staff Doors
Rear and side doors need signs too. A clear “Deliveries” or “Staff Only” sign keeps vendors out of the customer entrance and customers out of the back room, and a matching style makes even a service door look cared for.
Push, Pull and Glass Markings
Small “Push” and “Pull” decals prevent the awkward pause at the handle, and a band of frosted or printed vinyl across a large glass door at eye level makes the glass easier to see. A logo or pattern in the band keeps it on brand. See our Window Frosting page for patterns.
Keep the Glass Clear
The door is not the place for every promotion, certificate and payment logo. When the glass is covered, customers cannot see inside, which makes a business look closed and makes the interior feel less safe. A useful rule is one row of essentials at eye level, with the name, hours and accessible entrance information, and nothing taped over it.
Seasonal offers belong on the window beside the door or on a sidewalk sign, where they can change without cluttering the entrance. Our guide on window decals for business covers how to plan window space.
Make the Entrance Work After Dark
Many customers arrive in the dark for half the year. Check that the door lettering is still readable under the entrance light, that the address numbers are lit or reflective, and that an open sign or interior lighting shows the business is open. White or metallic vinyl usually reads better at night than dark colors on glass.
Sidewalk Signs and Vestibules
A sidewalk sign beside the door can carry daily specials or direct people to an upstairs entrance, common on the older commercial blocks served by our Union City sign company and Bronx sign services, as long as it leaves a clear path and the town allows it. See our Sidewalk Signs page for frames and inserts. Businesses with a winter vestibule can brand its door and side panels too, so the entrance looks the same in every season. See our storefront vestibules page for options.
Common Questions About Front Door Signage
What should be on a business front door?
Usually the business name or logo, the hours, and the accessible entrance information. Address numbers belong on the building near the door, where they are easy to see.
Do I need to post business hours on my door?
It is not usually required, but it is strongly recommended. Hours on the door prevent wasted trips and should always match your online listings.
Are address numbers required on a business?
In most cases, yes. The fire code requires visible, contrasting address numbers, and many towns add size rules, so check the local ordinance.
Do I need an accessible entrance sign?
If your building has entrances that are not accessible, yes. The accessible entrances must show the International Symbol of Accessibility, and the others should point to them.
What is the best material for door lettering?
Cut vinyl, in most cases. It is crisp, durable and removable, and it leaves the glass clear around the letters.
How much of the door glass should be covered?
As little as possible. Keep essentials in one row at eye level and leave the rest clear so customers can see inside.
A Front Door That Says Welcome
Gogi Signs designs and installs door lettering, window graphics, address signs and ADA entrance signs across New Jersey and New York City, matched to your storefront and the local rules.
See our Window Decals page for lettering styles, then request a free quote with a photo of your entrance.
