Unique Uses of Digital Signage
Static signage is gradually becoming outdated for marketing as modern consumers prefer immersive and entertaining advertising. Moreover, brands have to be creative to stand out in today’s competitive market.
Digital signage is an effective way to promote ad campaigns and create memorable promotions. The technology uses a combination of hardware and software to display digital content. Specifically, you need an LCD, LED, or OLED display, a content management system (CMS), media player, and internet infrastructure.
After the installation of a digital signage system, you have to identify the specific content to display. Since creativity can be hard to come by, we have compiled some unique uses of digital signage below.
1. Interactive Games
People love games, as evidenced by their obsession with Candy Crush, Angry Birds, and other smartphone games. In addition to providing escapism, games give players a sense of accomplishment when they complete challenges. Accordingly, many industries are incorporating gamer environments to engage shoppers and employees.
You can turn digital displays in a mall or public spaces into game boards, where onlookers can control on-screen characters. For example, visitors can catch floating pieces via body gestures.
Retailers can use interactive games to increase dwell times, enhance customer experiences, and stimulate people’s sense of alertness. Viewers are more likely to pay attention to digital screens if they interact with the content. Thus, gamification is a suitable way to provide entertainment, increase your brand’s recall rate, and offer information.
2. Virtual Fitting Rooms
Virtual fitting rooms are one of the best examples of the power of digital signage to increase customer engagement. Using technologies like kinetic motion-sensing technology and augmented reality, you can turn touchscreens in a retail store into a real-time virtual room.
Further, sensors, cameras, and other devices enhance user interactions with digital signs. Then, shoppers can try different products, including clothes, jewelry, and makeup, without going into physical changing rooms.
QR codes let customers share the snapshots on Facebook or Instagram and get real-time opinions. Ultimately, shoppers will be more likely to purchase products if they try them first in creative ways.
3. Interactive Digital Menus
Restaurants use digital signage in many ways to enrich the dining experience. While digital menus have become popular, you can go further and add digital interactivity to stand out. Interactive menu boards let customers browse menu items at their own pace and even make orders without talking to a server.
Additionally, the digital menu board can display product information, such as allergy warnings and nutritional components. Product information can be as descriptive as you like, such as the ingredients that make a specific dish or the origin of different wines. Additionally, add mouthwatering photos to make the menus more exciting. You can offer interactive menus via digital kiosks, tablets, or mobile apps.
McDonald’s is among the fast-food icons using interactive menus to delight patrons. You may have seen the large digital displays in McDonald’s restaurants that let you customize orders, pay, and enter your table number. Other restaurants use interactive desktops that let customers play games when waiting for food to reduce perceived wait times.
4. User-Generated Content
Displaying user-generated content on digital signs is among the unique uses of digital signage. Today’s customer seeks trust and credibility in brands, which is why you should invest in impactful digital content.
Digital signage is a great platform to display the praise you receive about your products or services. For instance, a gym can encourage people to share workout videos using a specific hashtag on Twitter and broadcast them on a digital billboard. Similarly, a fashion retailer can quiz followers on the latest fashion trend and post the results on a video wall.
Customer reviews are another exciting form of user-generated content. Specifically, display reviews from your website or social media channels to show how great your products or services are.
5. Company Dashboards
One of the benefits of digital signage is its ability to improve employee communications in workplaces. Traditionally, businesses relied on many emails and static posters on crowded noticeboards to communicate with staff. However, these methods are not successful as they are easy to ignore.
Fortunately, a digital signage solution with vibrant graphics is not easy to miss, and it can track performance in real-time. You can furnish your reception and other areas of your business premises with several digital signs and display metrics, KPIs, and other important analytics to inform and motivate employees. The best part is that you can update the dashboard at any time and from anywhere via digital signage software.
6. Live Traffic Information
Adding live traffic to your digital signage playlist engages your audience as everyone wants to avoid traffic jams and identify the shortest route to their destination.
For instance, digital signs in your office can keep staff up-to-date with traffic changes so they can adjust their commuting schedules accordingly. Similarly, an airport can inform arriving passengers of traffic patterns, while stadiums can warn people to avoid specific routes after a game.
7. Behind the Scenes Footage
Modern customers are curious about production processes as they want to realign with brands that share core values like eco-friendliness and sustainable packaging. Behind-the-scenes videos or images are unique uses of digital signage you can leverage to boost brand loyalty. For instance, stream the sourcing process for your products on a digital signage display or interview the chef if you own a restaurant.
Additionally, digital signage is a great platform to humanize your brand via images of your employees or office pets. Also, show snippets of upcoming events or activities that promote the company culture.
In Conclusion
As demonstrated above, the potential of digital signage to boost customer engagement is only bound by your creativity. In conclusion, the content you show on digital signs should let customers experience your brand in refreshing ways and help you stand out from competitors.
