7 Ways to Use Digital Signage for Your Business [+ 3 Platforms]
In today's highly visual digital landscape, words are no longer enough. You're more likely to draw and retain the attention of your target audience if you present your message as engaging visual content.
Why?
The human brain processes visual material 60,000x faster than text. Also, around 65% of the global population are visual learners. Many businesses understand this reality and are exploring ways to use more visuals to reach potential and existing customers.
One of the most effective channels is digital signage. This visual communication channel is in use everywhere around you, from large retail outlet billboards to digital announcement boards in small mom-and-pop stores.
In this article, you'll learn the benefits of digital signage for business and ways you can deploy it for your business.
Benefits of digital signage for business use
- Multi-format messaging: You can display multiple content formats with digital signage. You can use one content type today and another tomorrow or mix and match video, photo, text, and animations to give your audience an interactive experience. Alternatively, display your social media feed, live news, and more on the digital signage.
- Flexibility with content schedules: The best digital signage solutions allow complete control over the content calendar. You can schedule content to appear at specific intervals. As a result, it's easier to serve relevant content that will resonate with your target audience.
- Streamlined content management: You can change digital signage content with a few clicks. Thus, it's easier to display up-to-date information at all times. The ease of content management also simplifies A/B testing. You can experiment with different messages to see what works for your audience and what doesn't.
- Consistency with your visual message: Digital signage allows you to manage multiple screens in multiple locations. Your target audience will receive the same message (at the same time if you wish) wherever they are.
- Increased engagement: Digital displays can capture 400% more views than conventional signboards and banners.
7 ways to use digital signage
Below are seven top ways to deploy digital signage within your business.
1. Explain how to use a product
Many customers will be more open to paying for a new product if they can visualize using it. You can use digital signage to display a short video tutorial on using specific products next to the shelf or around the section holding them. Depending on your budget, you can choose live videos with professional actors or animated content.
This approach works for retail outlets selling complex items like hair dryers, tents, multi-purpose cookware, and more. However, almost any business can leverage explainer videos to drive more sales. A restaurant can display a video of someone eating a new menu item, while a travel agency can show video mashups of past or present clients in exotic locations.
2. Promote sales and events
You can use digital signage to drive revenue by promoting store-wide or product-specific sales. Around 19% of in-store buyers make impulse purchases due to digital signage. A good tip here is to ensure the promo messages evoke the fear of missing out in your target audience's minds.
For instance, you can create promos that will only run for a few hours or during the weekend. You can also take advantage of social or political events when they are trending.
A sports goods store can craft promotions around the Super Bowl. A general merchandise store can launch a promo before the premiere of hotly anticipated TV shows and movies. Similarly, you can use digital signage to promote events like charity games, community outreach programs, and more.
3. Communicate with employees
The use of digital signage around a business premises doesn't have to revolve around customers. You can delegate some of the screens to employee-facing communication, such as:
- Changes to rules and regulations
- Reminders for upcoming meetings and events
- Encouraging staff for exemplary work
Many employees spend 23% of their time on emails. Therefore, switching from emails to digital signage can improve productivity significantly.
4. Drive more email subscribers
Digital signage can help you build an email list for your brand. For example, you can offer in-store coupons, encouraging email opt-in. Customers can scan a QR code to take advantage of the coupon and seamlessly share their email addresses.
However, you have to word your offer properly. The offer has to promise enough value to encourage people to share their personal details.
5. Get more social media followers
You can add your social media feed to your digital signage content to grow your social media following. You can show a live feed or handpick selected posts with the most engagement potential. However, showing off your social media feed isn't enough to increase your number of followers. Just like happy customers rarely leave reviews, it's a mistake to expect satisfied customers to follow your page of their own accord.
You may need to offer incentives. A simple "Follow us for a Chance to Win..." or "Participate and Win…" campaign can grow your Instagram page by up to 70%. You can expect equally impressive results from posting similar content on other social media platforms.
6. Spread awareness
Philanthropy and social justice are topics that matter to many people today—especially the millennials and Gen Zers. You can use digital signage to show off the various ways your brand is contributing toward a better world.
Whether you're a supporter of green energy initiatives or a sponsor for terminal disease research, your digital signage can show off that information. You can also use your digital signage to show the sustainability of your business operations. Show your customers behind-the-scenes footage of how your brand is good for the environment.
Socially conscious customers will have more reasons to patronize your brand. Even better, you can use the signs to make your existing customers more socially conscious. A good tip here is to avoid more contentious topics if taking a side might get you into trouble.
7. Improve staff productivity
Many businesses spend too many hours addressing repeat customer complaints and managing foot traffic around the premises. You can use digital signage to answer frequently asked questions, direct customers around the premises, and more.
With more people readily finding the information they need on their own, your staff can focus more on activities that move the needle. Customers don't have to endure long queues or similar inconveniences as they try to patronize your brand.
3 best digital signage platforms to try
1. Juuno
One of the biggest issues with digital signage solutions is that they are often highly complicated. Businesses often need to incorporate the cost of training or hiring digital signage staff to unlock the system's full potential.
Juuno has changed the landscape in this regard, making it one of the leading digital signage programs. It is a simple and affordable digital signage solution that allows businesses to set up displays with a few clicks. If you already have a playlist on hand, publishing the content is as simple as setting up a schedule and hitting Publish.
Unlike many competing platforms, anyone can manage Juuno’s digital signage solution, making it suitable for small, medium, and large organizations.
Top Features
- Compatible with TV, PC, tablets, and web browsers
- Flexible content scheduling
- Easy social media integration
- Curation and management of real-time content
- Support for a wide range of content options, including videos, images, Canva designs, and more.
Pricing
Juuno costs $20 per month for each screen in your network.
2. Userful
Userful is a corporate digital signage solution known for its enterprise management solutions. The platform has many capabilities, including a supervisor dashboard, picture-in-picture technology, multi-user control, and more.
However, Userful isn’t suitable for every business because of its uncompetitive pricing and complicated setup process. The system is ideal for companies already running enterprise IT solutions or businesses that have an in-house technical team.
Top features:
- Multi-screen management
- Real-time monitoring and diagnostics
- Uptime monitoring tools
- Browser-based interface
- REST API
- Pre-scheduled content
Pricing
Userful operates a custom pricing policy. You have to request a quote from the sales team to decide if it's a good fit for your brand.
3. TelemetryTV
The Canadian brand is a cloud-based digital signage solution compatible with all kinds of screens. The platform is also compatible with various apps such as Twitter, YouTube, Google Drive, and more.
You can enjoy cross-platform functionality since Telemetry runs on Windows, Android, Linux, and ChromeOS devices. However, the solution is best suited for businesses that plan to show mostly TV shows or other long videos to occupy waiting customers. Also, you may need to budget for additional hardware if you choose TelemetryTV.
Top Features
- Support for dynamic content
- Flexible multi-screen management
- 70+ integrated apps
- Customizable content templates
- Login system integration
- Remote management
- Simplified content scheduling
Here are other digital signage solutions you can consider. However, if you're looking for a simple digital signage solution you can deploy immediately, Juuno is the way to go. Sign up today to try Juuno for free.