Digital signage is an electronic installation that calls on digital capabilities to showcase graphics of all kinds, including text, images, logos, streaming media, and videos.
While it may sound new and perhaps even complicated, you’ve probably seen and interacted with digital signage for decades. In fact, many common sights — including the dazzling menu boards and digital product displays at Starbucks, the hottest new fashions advertised at Morphe, and Vans’s iconic logo backlit by LED technology — are all forms of digital signage.
Digital signage is often employed to improve customer satisfaction, drive sales, boost brand awareness, and remain relevant in a hyper-competitive world. It exists because and capitalizes on the fact that modern consumers expect to find in real life the same level of artistry, expediency, and immersion they experience online. Read on to learn more about what digital signage is and its many applications.
What Is Digital Signage For?
Digital signage is used by both small businesses and world-renowned brands for its effectiveness and versatility. Whether you employ an LED wall or an LED lightbox, you can present graphics in a visually captivating manner. Now that you know what digital signage is let’s explore different types of digital signage.
5 Types of Digital Signage
1. Menu Boards
Digital menu boards provide a more engaging and alluring experience for consumers than static, unlit graphics. They’re a staple in drive-through venues but are just as popular in busy coffee shops and restaurants.
Digital signage is also employed to promote a restaurant’s logo and location. This is exceptionally effective for strengthening brand identity and expanding brand awareness. For instance, consider how many people today immediately think of coffee when they see the legendary green and white Starbucks logo.
2. Merchandising Displays
Brick-and-mortar retailers leverage merchandising displays a subset of digital signage to capture the strongest characteristics of their products. The use of LED shines a spotlight on specific merchandise, including:
- Fashion
- Luxury goods
- High-end jewelry
- Home decor and furnishings
- Movie posters
- Books
For retailers, digital signage isn’t just a valuable way to amplify foot traffic or call attention to the latest products. Because digital signage can be displayed on walls and in windows (and in both interior and exterior areas), it doesn’t interfere with the amount of space they have inside their store. Instead, they can use the extra room to hold the actual products, cash registers, and display tables of smaller pieces of merchandising.
3. Wayfinding Signs
Businesses are obligated to make a visitor’s experience unfold as smoothly as possible. Something as simple as having difficulty locating a sales representative to ask about the location of your facility’s restrooms can sour a consumer’s experience. And since 90% of consumers report they would return to a store after having a positive experience, prioritizing the quality of the time they spend in your store is imperative — and a great way to improve customer loyalty.
Directional signage is a simple and visually appealing solution. These signs can be the guiding hand for your visitors, showing them the path to take to find areas such as:
- Restrooms
- Exits
- Self-checkout lanes
- Human resources office
- Specific merchandising aisles, such as produce, cereal, and dairy products
Wayfinding signs, as well as other forms of digital signage, aren’t exclusive to retailers and restaurants. They’re also valuable in museums, art galleries, schools, transportation hubs, office buildings, shopping plazas, sports arenas, medical facilities, resorts, and stadiums.
4. Education
Art galleries, museums, cultural institutions, and classrooms use digital signage to furnish visitors with key information on a piece, display, or subject. This facilitates a more enthralling experience than a printed brochure while simultaneously cutting down on costs.
5. Virtual Receptionists
Technology is increasingly freeing up employees to handle bigger tasks than tedious duties like checking people in at the airport. Interactive virtual receptionists can be installed to accelerate processes and provide visitors with essential information.
What Are the Display Options for Digital Signage?
There are several ways to display your graphics electronically. These include:
- Mobile interaction displays
- Video walls
- Outdoor displays
- Large-format displays
- Kiosk displays
- Specialty displays
- Interactive flat panel
Can’t decide what digital signage is best suited for your business and goals? Digital signage manufacturers can guide you through your options and offer you the solutions you need to grow your business. They will help you enrich your visitors’ experiences, encourage customer loyalty, broaden brand awareness, and more.
Enhance Your Business with Digital Signage
If you’ve been asking yourself, “What is digital signage?” you’re on the right track. Digital signage provides a wide range of industries with an equally wide number of benefits. Whether you run a cafe that sees long lines or want to promote your corporate signage in a memorable, decisive manner, digital signage is increasingly becoming one of the hallmarks of a well-run and successful business.
DSA Signage would be happy to fulfill your digital signage needs. We’ve helped companies ranging from Universal Studios to Cartier to strengthen their visibility and elevate their marketing efforts. We also intentionally work with local sources and aim to use materials manufactured in the United States to contribute to a more sustainable world.
There’s no need to wait around get a custom quote for your digital signage goals now.
