Unlocking Digital Signage for Your Business Success
Digital signage has increased in popularity, establishing itself as a formidable marketing tool. By using a variety of content (videos, presentations, images, etc.), digital signage both creates awareness for your brand and engages customers.
This strategy simplifies marketing, making campaigns easier for you. In its most basic form, digital signage utilizes Smart TVs, tablets, banners, or large external LED screens to display various types of content.
With a Smart TV/regular TV, a laptop, and engaging content, you have an excellent means to promote your product and attract new clients. You also need effective digital signage strategies, as discussed in our article on ways to use digital signage for your business.
But how can you use digital signage? How would it benefit your business? Find answers to these questions and more.
What Is Digital Signage?
Digital signage, also called electronic signage, can be simply defined as using digital screens to display information, content, and advertising to the public. It can be found in various establishments, including banks, gyms, retail stores, schools, corporate offices, and restaurants.
Its effectiveness lies in transmitting the right message to the correct consumer at the appropriate time. Digital signage can include anything from advertisement clips to actual advertisements, and real-time updates like menus or event schedules.
Examples of digital signage include electronic billboards, menus on tablets, and bank screens showing steps for opening an account.
Digital signage’s strength lies in its flexibility compared to other information media. Content can be updated with ease, keeping clients and the general public informed about matters affecting them. This flexibility also ensures that information remains accurate.
To learn more about digital signage, check out our examples of content for digital signage and our best retail digital signage tools.
How Can You Use Digital Signage?
The business type and brand determines to a large extent how digital signage is used. It is also perfect for targeting specific audiences and tailoring the content to different audience segments in several locations. It is more cost-effective than traditional advertisement methods, which adds to its significance.
Here’s how it plays out in different locations:
1. Retail
Retailers need digital signage to display offers, offer information about certain products, or plain advertisements. Big stores also turn digital signage into a map, showing where different products can be located. Ever been overwhelmed at a supermarket when looking for a product? Digital signage can solve that.
2. Restaurants and Cafes
Digital menus are trendy in many restaurants today and for good reasons. Its abilities supersede paper menus, as you can update items and prices without additional printing expenses.
Digital menus can also display alluring meals to encourage customers to buy. Besides menus, some restaurants and cafes have screens displaying welcome signs, discounts, and other important announcements.
3. Corporate Communication
In offices, digital signage can improve communication between employers and their employees, as well as between the business and its clients. The employer can make a mass announcement, or send messages to employees. Clients who walk into the establishment can also be saturated with welcome messages, advertisements, timely information, and vacancies.
4. Education
Schools and universities may use digital signage to release event calendars, messages, emergency messages, information on registration, and breaks. It can also transform the student’s learning experience with educational videos and avenues for proper research.
5. Public Spaces
Digital signage is used in airports and bus terminals to display flight schedules, ticket prices, weather information, news, and others. It is also used in city squares and sports stadiums to advertise.
6. Healthcare
In hospitals and clinics, digital signage can serve to welcome patients, inform them of their appointments, and offer additional health tips. It could also help with direction, especially in large hospitals. Amongst the staff, digital signage is a useful tool to coordinate shifts and make announcements.
How Can I Start Using Digital Signage for My Business?
Having explored the different ways digital signage can be used in various industries, how can it be used in your business? Here are some tips:
Identify Your Objectives
As a foundation, determine your objective. What do you want the digital signage to do? What do you intend to achieve? Do you want to advertise your products, share information, or enhance your brand? Your goals will guide the content you develop.
Choose Your Hardware
By hardware, we mean the screen you will use to display your content. This could include a smart TV, a regular TV, a tablet, or a large LED display. Your objectives and the type of business you run will influence your choice of hardware.
Select a Digital Signage Software
Choose the right software for editing, designing, and publishing content. Criteria to consider when selecting software include cost and functionality. Prioritize those with cloud management systems that allow you to update content easily.
Create Your Content
After setting your objectives, selecting the appropriate screen, and choosing the best software, create the actual content that will be displayed. Your content is crucial as it forms the core of the digital signage, making or breaking its effectiveness.
Some content types include videos, slideshows, or simple images, as long as the message is conveyed. To develop your content, you may use tools such as PowerPoint and Google Slides.
Set Up Your Digital Signage Network
To set up your digital signage network, you need a stable internet connection and Wi-Fi. Install the digital signage app on your devices, connect your devices to the internet, and then upload your content.
Engage Your Audience
Digital signage software often includes interactive features that can help keep your audience engaged. You can utilize live updates, social media feeds, or interactive menus to enhance engagement.
Which Digital Signage Solution Should I Use?
To select the right digital signage solution, consider factors like how easily the product can be used, the features offered, and the amount of money you are willing to spend.
Choose a tool that would enable you to monitor and control content from a remote location, accompanied by valuable features such as screen display, timetable support, and compatibility with other applications. Do not neglect security, especially when data is presented to the public The role of security cannot be underestimated.
Some digital signage solutions are widely used, offering a powerful communication channel. They allow for quick content creation using a simple drag-and-drop technique, use cloud management systems, and can be integrated with other software including social media feeds, and weather updates, among others.
Refer to our best digital screen software to find a solution that fits your needs.
Which Features Will I Need?
If you want the best features to meet your needs, then opt for the best. While there are countless features available, prioritize the essentials. They include:
- Content management systems
- Multi-screen support
- Interactive features
- Analytics
- Offline playback features
These features can help you create diverse content, manage multiple screens, engage customers, and measure the performance of your digital signage.
Now, It’s Your Turn
We have covered how digital signage is used, how to get started, and some essential features. You are well on your way to beginning with digital signage! Ensure that you keep your goals in mind, strive for excellence, and make the costs of using digital signage worthwhile.