With the rising popularity of dynamic digital content, the business world is embracing interactive and large-scale digital signage. But what is it and how can you use it to your advantage? Read on for a description of what digital signage is, examples of it in use and how you can find the right solution for your business.
What is Digital Signage?
Digital signage, sometimes called electronic signage, refers to display technologies like LED walls (or video walls), projection and LCD monitors to vividly display webpages, videos, directions, restaurant menus, marketing messages or digital images.
Digital signage functions in different settings — public spaces, museums, sporting arenas, churches, academic buildings, retail stores, corporate spaces and restaurants — to offer wayfinding, messaging, marketing and outdoor advertising.
Examples of Digital Signage
Digital signage can be used to provide public information, convey internal communication or share product information to enhance customer service, promotions and brand recognition. It’s a powerful way to influence customer behavior and decision-making, while also enhancing consumer experiences through interactive screens.
Now that you know what digital signage is, take a look at a few of our favorite ways it can be used:
Promotions
Digital signage displays are a great place to feature promotions for products, services, events and sales. Since multimedia screens use video and animation in addition to rotating graphics, advertisers can incorporate digital signage content featuring static ads, product demonstrations or video testimonials. Retail settings are one of the most common places where you’ll see digital signage.
Service Offerings
While paper menus or fixed displays are still common, businesses can artistically list their service offerings on digital displays. With digital signage, restaurants, salons, spas, auto repair shops and fitness studios can offer rotating content and information on walls, windows or a dazzling digital screen.
Inspirational Quotes
Digital signage doesn’t have to be an advertisement. You can inform, entertain and inspire your potential customers with content featuring famous quotes. With inspirational quotes, you can make your digital signage more engaging — which will instantly lift your visitors’ moods. Organizations such as gyms, health and wellness establishments and open offices can leverage inspirational quotes to boost productivity and create a welcoming environment.
Interactive Forms & Games
Who said that digital screens should be restricted to the wall for displaying certain information only? Let users control and engage with them. With interactive digital signage, users can select content, play games and even subscribe to email newsletters. This way, you’ll be able to collect key information (that you can use for your marketing) from guests.
Social Media Streams & News
Bring the online world into the office with social media integrated digital signage. Sync the screens with your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds and artistically curate hashtag mentions to propel your brand into the real world. Fans get an opportunity to see their contribution featured in real time, and your content becomes a welcome source of information.
Company Memos for Recognition
Rather than sending emails or paper memos, you can share updates via digital screens mounted in employee areas including lounges and break-rooms. It’s not only quick and efficient but improves communication and workplace morale. Compared to text-heavy documents, people tend to pay more attention to engaging, visual-based content. When paired with tools like Hoopla, sales teams can check their rankings on the big-screen regularly. When a deal is closed, everyone knows!
Calendars & Event Schedules
Hotels, shopping malls, universities, offices, theme parks and healthcare facilities can leverage digital content to create calendars that share event or work schedules as well as upcoming appointment times. This keeps visitors informed about daily activities while saving your staff time previously spent fielding questions.
Maps (You are here!)
Many large organizations have static maps in place that guide people to their destination. However, these maps don’t provide optimal flexibility; they need to be updated and republished whenever changes are made and only offer visitors static, standardized information.
Digital wayfinding maps are dependable, versatile and affordable. You can update your maps in real-time and utilize interactive tools that provide customized directions based on customer input.
Directories
Digital signage content is an essential resource for any modern organization. Aside from helping people find their way, directories also make it easy for them to access what they need. Incorporating a directory into wayfinding screens is an incredible way to condense huge wall directories and make it possible for guests to get whatever they need quickly and with minimal stress.
With digital directories, users don’t have to struggle to find a physician or office. All they need is to enter a name, filter their options, and get only the specific information they want.
Emergency Messages
In the event of an emergency, you need to quickly notify your entire staff. If you don’t have a reliable communication strategy, however, this can be extremely difficult. With the help of digital signage content, you can create a comprehensive emergency communication plan and update information on various screens throughout your facility. Important safety and emergency messages are simply and efficiently distributed.
How to Find a Digital Signage Solution
If you’re interested in implementing digital signage, there are a few questions to consider first:
- How many screens do you want to install?
- What type of content will you be displaying?
- What is your budget?
When you’re ready to get started, there will be several areas you’ll need to explore to kick off your project:
- Installation: Your installation partner will perform a site survey and be with you through the final phase.
- Hardware: This includes display screens, mounts, wiring, and other supportive items.
- Software: For your media player, content management system (CMS) and device management.
- Network: How your digital signage will connect to your other systems, such as through Wi-Fi or hard lines.
- Digital Content: This includes what you will actually be displayed on your screens.
Digital signage projects should be planned and executed by professionals, especially if your project has a complicated scope. An installation partner will be able to identify the feasibility of your goals, suggest the right technology and ensure proper setup.
Digital Signage Software
Beyond selecting the right hardware, like the perfect display screens and mounting systems, you’ll need software tools to actually show off your content.
A content management system (CMS) is one of the easiest tools that you can use to organize and present your content. WordPress, Squarespace and Wix are well-known CMSs. Depending on your system, you may also have the option of using media player software.
Also, consider the scope of your display network. For projects that include multiple displays in several locations, a device management software system will give you control of your network remotely.
A Note on Costs
Many businesses avoid using digital signage assuming it’s too expensive but advances in technology have lowered costs on solutions like large LED video walls, making them attainable for many businesses.
Digital Signage: The Bottom-Line
Digital signage has multiple applications for businesses, from marketing to morale to maps. With digital signage, you have the power to get your message across in a vivid, entertaining and captivating manner. If you’ve been searching for ways to kick-start your marketing messages, energize your team or stand out in any space, think of digital signage and a partner like DGI.
