Are Digital Kiosks Good For Your Business?
Are Digital Kiosks Good For Your Business?
The digital kiosk market has steadily grown over the last few years, with the global market share projected to grow to USD 39.1 billion by 2027. Businesses across different industries recognize the wide range of functionalities digital kiosks can offer, especially with emerging technologies, driving market growth.
Indeed, these interactive displays offer benefits that can give businesses a competitive edge. Read on to learn what these benefits are, the unique features of digital kiosks, industries that can leverage the kiosks, and what the future has in store.
What Are Digital Kiosks?
A digital kiosk is a stand-alone unit, offering physical user interaction. These touchscreen solutions provide information and wayfinding services and facilitate various services, such as check-ins and ticket dispensing.
There are indoor and outdoor versions available that each have their own uses and benefits. Furthermore, these kiosks fall into three main categories, namely tablet, freestanding, and wall-mounted digital kiosks.
Key Features of Digital Kiosks
Digital kiosks are equipped with a wide range of useful features, some of which include the following.
1. Touchscreen Interface: Touchscreen solutions make interactions with the digital kiosk more intuitive and user-friendly. Interface navigation is easier, allowing customers to get the information or services required by selecting or inputting options.
2. Self-Service Technology: Digital kiosks are at the heart of self-service terminals. With the intuitive interface, service delivery is autonomous, and customers don’t require the assistance of an agent or attendant.
3. Multimedia Capabilities: From high-resolution vibrant images, to 3D graphics, audio and video, digital kiosks support multimedia content. Businesses can leverage these capabilities to showcase their brand and offerings in a dynamic way that is visually appealing and engaging to their customers.
4. Payment Integration: Digital kiosks equipped with payment integration capabilities streamline transaction processing. By supporting various payment methods, they ensure that transactions are convenient and secure, enhancing customer satisfaction.
5. Integration with Other Corporate Systems: Integration and data synchronization between the digital kiosk and other systems and tools maximizes functionality and efficiency. On the whole, integration with CRM tools and other retail innovation tools helps create a digital ecosystem that can provide insights into how to drive customer engagement and improve customer experience.
6. Internet Connectivity: Digital kiosks have internet connectivity, allowing users to access up-to-date information, such as updated product catalogs. Users can also access real-time information such as the news, weather, and more. Similarly, internet connectivity allows users to order online and access other online services through the digital kiosk.
7. Barcode/QR Code Scanners: These scanners are an especially critical feature for digital kiosks as they allow users to access information quickly and more conveniently. Scanning a QR code or barcode provides instant access to information, which is more convenient than swiping through options on the interactive display.
8. Receipt Dispensers and Printers: Digital kiosks equipped with receipt dispensers and printers for on-demand printing are useful in applications such as ticketing. Users can conveniently print tickets, receipts, and more to enjoy the convenience of having a tangible copy.
9. Accessibility Features: From text-to-speech functionality to wheelchair accessibility and adjustable height, some digital kiosks have different accessibility features to ensure inclusivity. In addition to compliance with accessibility standards, these features ensure a business can improve the user experience for its customers with diverse needs.
Industries That Benefit From Digital Kiosks
Where will we see touchscreen kiosks? The answer is everywhere. Digital kiosks continue to revolutionize different industries.
1. Retail
Right from the entrance to the exit points, there is no shortage of places to install interactive digital signage in retail. Digital kiosks are an information hub for customers to check product details and recommendations. Self-checkout provides a more convenient experience for shoppers.
2. Hospitality
Self-service technology enhances guest experience at check-in and check-out. Digital kiosks also provide information on the hotel’s amenities and nearby attractions for a more enjoyable stay.
3. Healthcare
Digital kiosks have automated and streamlined patient check-in. These kiosks are also an excellent wayfinding tool, where patients and visitors can access maps of the facility and building directories.
4. Banking and Finance
In addition to being information terminals, digital kiosks in the banking and finance sector serve as customer service points. Banking customers can also perform a wide range of functions, such as deposits, and withdrawals at the kiosks that serve as automated teller machines (ATMs)
5. Transportation
Digital kiosks at transportation hubs provide information about routes and transportation schedules. Passengers conveniently purchase and collect their travel tickets at these kiosks. The self-service technology has also streamlined self-check-in at airports.
Benefits of Digital Kiosks
The popularity of digital kiosks across various industries comes as no surprise, given their many advantages and expected return on investment. A look at digital kiosk benefits covers these primary advantages.
1. Improved Customer Experience
Digital kiosks offer convenience by reducing wait times and enabling faster interactions. Self-service technology also enhances user experience for customers who have an aversion to human interaction. Targeted promotions and recommendations also add to a better experience. Similarly, the accessibility features ensure that even users with different needs can have a great customer experience.
2. Enhanced Efficiency
Customers can access information, place orders, process payments, and so much more on digital kiosks. They help enhance a business’ operational efficiency and customer flow management by streamlining processes and allowing customers to take charge of their interactions with a business.
3. Increased Customer Engagement
Do you know visuals get 94% more views than text? Dynamic content on digital kiosks is a sure way to grab and keep customers’ attention. It encourages users to interact with the kiosk, driving customer engagement. More engagement marked with a good user experience will boost sales and customer loyalty.
4. Customer Data Collection
All businesses can benefit significantly from the data collected at kiosks. Analyzing information on customer behavior and preferences can be the ultimate game changer in ensuring a business meets its clientele’s needs and expectations.
5. More Marketing Opportunities
Digital kiosks are a retail innovation providing opportunities to upsell and cross-sell users. Businesses can leverage data analytics and offer up personalized offers, and promote products and services that align with customer data. Upselling and cross-selling to customers is easier when they have great options lined up on these touchscreen solutions.
6. Cost Savings
Reducing the need for human assistants and automating repetitive tasks will significantly reduce a business’ labor costs. Similarly, these interactive displays minimize printing costs.
Future Trends
Digital kiosks have certainly come a long way and continue to evolve. Emerging technologies that will undoubtedly define future trends in digital kiosks are as follows.
1. Mobile Integration
Integration with mobile devices will allow users to interact with the content or information services on digital kiosks right from their mobile devices. This trend promises to deliver personalized experiences, even without physical interaction with the digital kiosk.
2. Artificial Intelligence Integration
AI integration promises to add more functionality and enhance customer experience for digital kiosk users. Facial recognition and other biometric authentication, as well as voice assistants, are some features to expect from AI-powered kiosks, delivering customized user experiences.
3. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Technologies
Integration of these technologies will make user experiences more immersive and drive customer engagement. Businesses can leverage AR and VR to kick up their brand storytelling and product showcasing a notch by offering virtual tours.
4. Internet of Things (IoT) Connectivity
Integrating digital kiosks with IoT devices will make real-time reporting and data analytics more seamless. With that, businesses can update content on the kiosk remotely and monitor performance. Insights from data analytics will also inform the making of critical business decisions.
Get Started Today
Are digital kiosks good for your business? Without reservation, yes. The benefits are incontestable, and by implementing the best practices for interactive digital signage and with the help of industry experts, you can maximize the return on your digital kiosk investment.
