How to turn your fleet into a mobile billboard

Your fleet vehicles aren’t just your most valuable transportation assets. With the right transformation, they can also work for you as mobile billboard advertising, promoting your company wherever they travel around the country.

Car signage for business advertising is a smart way to improve brand awareness while also extending your company’s marketing reach. Here are some of the benefits of car fleet signage and practical tips for getting started.

The biggest benefits of car fleet signage

Here are three ways car wraps can boost your fleet business.

1. Instant brand awareness

It’s easy to overlook car signage, but one of the biggest fleet vehicle branding benefits is how it can immediately increase your brand visibility. A well-designed car wrap brings your logo, tagline and contact information to life – helping it be seen by thousands of people every day. Unlike static advertising strategies, mobile billboard advertising takes your brand directly to your audience, whether your fleet vehicles are parked or on the move.

2. Cheap (and ongoing) advertising

The true ROI of fleet vehicle advertising is very impressive when compared to traditional methods. Once installed, car signage acts as a continuous ad with no recurring costs, which translates to long-term business value. If your advertising budget is tight, the most prominent car signage benefit is being able to reach a broad audience at a fraction of the cost of digital or print campaigns.

3. Brightens your professional image

Some other fleet vehicle branding advantages include projecting a polished and professional image. A uniform fleet design can instil trust in customers and show that your business is established and market-leading.

Getting started with vehicle advertising

Before diving in, decide how many vehicles you want to brand (this will come down to your budget). The cost of car signage in Australia depends on the design itself, the materials you want to use, the type of vehicles you want branded, as well as how many. Partial wraps start at around $2,000, while full wraps can cost more than $4,500 per vehicle. Cheaper options include spot graphics and one-way vision signs (on rear windows).

Next, you’ll want to choose the right type of signage for your fleet vehicles. These can include:

• Vinyl wraps: Hard-wearing and great to look at, these will give you the most impact and protect your vehicle’s paintwork underneath.
• Magnetic signs: A more budget-friendly option for smaller businesses.
• Decals and stickers: Perfect for minimalist branding or adding specific details like your contact information.

Finally, to get the most out of your car fleet’s signage, make sure you always work with a professional designer. They will be able to deliver on things like high-resolution logos with clear, legible fonts for your contact details (so passers-by can capture that information in a matter of moments). They will also be able to help you come up with a simple and memorable message if you don’t have a tagline.

3 legal and practical considerations

1. Vehicle advertising laws in Australia

Familiarise yourself with your local state or territory transport safety rules to see whether your proposed car signage is compliant. For example, you’ll need to make sure the signage doesn’t obscure licence plates, and that you stay within the guidelines for reflective materials, especially if your fleet often drives around at night.

2. Ongoing maintenance and care

The longevity of your signage will depend on how well the vehicle’s exteriors are maintained. Wash them gently and try to avoid using strong, abrasive cleaning solutions so they don’t damage the wrap or decals.

3. Tax deductions for branded company vehicles

Car signage for business advertising could qualify as a tax-deductible expense for fleet managers, however, you’ll first want to speak with your accountant or a tax professional to confirm whether this is the case.

Beyond these considerations, you’ll also want to generate the greatest return on investment from your vehicle advertising, so a few strategies you might be able to roll out include:

• Tracking your fleet’s reach: Use GPS tracking to spot high-traffic routes and optimise your brand’s visibility.
• Looking local: Attend community events or park your branded vehicles in busy areas to draw the eye.
• Blending traditional with digital: Add QR codes or your business’s social media handles to your signage, which will encourage viewers to connect with you online.

It’s time to transform your fleet into a driving advertisement and take your business to the next level. So why not start designing your mobile billboard today to unlock the full potential of car signage?