Digital signages have emerged as one of the most effective brand marketing tools in recent times. But simply placing them without a proper strategy and a well-thought-out plan will not yield you the desired results. There must be a reason behind where you place them, what kind of content you display, and who you wish to target. Without knowing the correct answers to these questions, your efforts are sure to fall flat.
Here are ten things that you must know before investing in digital signages
Digital signages must be easy to understand, easy to use, and manage to maximize their potential. Apart from that, there are a few other things you must consider before you buy digital signage:
Set clear and well-defined goals for your digital signage
Digital signages can perform several tasks – advertising, promotions, information relay, live streaming, in-store dynamic & static information display, and the list goes on. It is important to factor in your digital signage’s exact function and goals because the content you create will ultimately determine your buying choices.
Consider the display specifics of your digital signage
The size of the display and its resolution are the first things to consider when buying digital signage. The kind of content you wish to display will determine your choice. For example, if your digital bulletin boards detailed content that requires higher readability, bigger screens with a high resolution are a must. If you wish to keep your displays on for long hours, then a commercial-grade digital signage board is more suitable than its consumer-grade counterpart.
Dynamic, feature-loaded software is must
Digital signages run on sophisticated software that can handle the content quite efficiently. But make sure that the software you choose is cost-effective, easy to use, provides dynamic templates and content scheduling tools. Not just that, it should be reliable, compatible, scalable, and customizable so that you can use it even after your business demands change.
Placement of your digital signage board
Digital signage placed outdoors will have a different set of requirements than the one installed indoors. For outdoor installation, a display screen with built-in screen sensors and luminosity of 2000 nits is ideal. Furthermore, selecting digital signage with a robust safety case and glass covering is good for outdoor installations. For indoor placements, on the other hand, consider opting for LED screens as they are energy-efficient, flexible in design, easy to install, and offer enough power and brightness to adjust to different lighting conditions.
The size matters
The right screen size will decide how well your digital signage performs. Placing a huge display in a small area will be too jarring to the eyes. Similarly, a small screen in an ample space will hardly garner any attention. The size of the place where you wish to install the digital signage and the distance from where the audience will see it are two deciding factors. While bigger screens are great for purposes like trade shows, sports events, etc., smaller screens make for a perfect choice for more acceptable interactions like digital menus, in-store displays, etc.
Reliability and compatibility are important
When interacting with the audience directly, it is important that your communication platforms are reliable and not ditch you at any time due to outages. So, choosing dedicated hardware for digital signage is imperative. Compatible software is yet another aspect that requires stringent consideration. Your OS preferences might change for various reasons, and having compatible software will ensure smooth functioning.
Account for scalability
Your business requirements are not going to be the same forever. As you expand your business, things will change, and the deliverables of your digital signage will be. So, invest in digital signage that is scalable and can adjust to the changing demands of your business.
Offline functionality
While most digital signages work on the internet, there might be times when there is an issue with the connectivity or the internet is down. Digital signage that can operate offline as well will be a good choice. Being prepared for adverse conditions is the best way to have uninterrupted communication with your customers.
Digital signages have come a long way as brand marketing tools. With technological advancement, things have changed for the better. Advanced display options, software integration, management options, and several other functionalities have made things more exciting and dynamic. But it also means that there is a lot more to consider before investing in digital signage. And choosing the right display screen can prove more beneficial than you think. A screen of the right size, resolution, display functionalities, and software and hardware integration can be a sure winner.