Introduction
One good thing about the pandemic is that it has accelerated many kinds of digital transformations that were about to happen before Covid. It must be noted though that at the time, large retailers had the resources to invest in commercial displays and make the change but small businesses had a tough time doing the same. For these businesses, there was a hindrance in their ability to communicate with their customers during the pandemic. However, with normalcy returning again, retailers are looking for digital displays on a budget for transforming their businesses without having to be a big company to benefit from this technology.
Understanding the investment
To determine the total cost of digital signage, it is necessary to first understand what this technology is comprised of.
A digital signage investment consists of a hardware setup – LED panel digital displays, media players, and equipment for your digital signage network such as routers. There are also some cables and mounting brackets required for the setup.
Once the hardware is sorted, you’ll need digital signage software that will display content on the digital signage display via a media player. Most LED signage manufacturers such as LED Craft Inc offers free digital signage software with your purchase, so that is one expense sorted for you. Apart from that, you also have to take into consideration certain costs such as shipping, installation, maintenance and additional subscriptions.
With so many different components required in a digital signage system, it is best to plan ahead so you can figure out the total cost, set your budget accordingly and determine how much profit you can expect with your digital signage investment.
Storefront signage
Your signage is one of the first things that customers see when they enter your establishment, and this is why you must choose it carefully. Your storefront signage could be either illuminated or non-illuminated. The non-illuminated signs are less expensive but also relatively less attractive. Then again, not every business needs an illuminated sign or may not have the necessary infrastructure to make their sign light up.
3D letters and non-illuminated face signs are two types of options you could choose between when considering non-illuminated face signs. For lighted storefront signs, illuminated sign boxes are the most common type that include a front facing acrylic sign that allows LED lighting to shine through it. Channel letters, push through signs, hanging blade signs and window signage are a few other illuminated sign options for your storefront.
LED scrolling screen
LED scrolling signs are programmable and are applicable for both indoor and outdoor use. Depending on your budget, the resolution required, the viewing angle, and the viewing distance, there are different LED scrolling signs that you can invest in. Basic information such as small welcome greetings, opening hours of your store, basic product information, important event dates and so on can be displayed on this signage.
Small LCD displays
Even when on a budget, you can still keep up with digital signage trends by investing in a small LCD display which can show attractive content that includes text, images, and video clips. However big or small a display screen is, as long as motion can be incorporated, your business is sure to experience increased sales!
Indoor LED signage
Commercial grade LED displays are widely used in organizations that have most of their business in indoor spaces. It could be to communicate with employees such as displaying schedules of meetings and conferences or providing wayfinding directions to employees as well as visitors to the organization. Several other service-oriented organizations such as hotels, banks, and hospitals rely heavily on indoor LED signage to communicate with their stakeholders.
Outdoor LED signage
With outdoor LED signage, a business is focusing on attracting customers and providing product/service information to the end user. For this reason, your outdoor LED signage content creation must be done exclusively with proper color and contrast combination, eye-catching images and short and relevant text.
Small LED wall display
For budgeted digital signage solutions, businesses could go for a smaller version of a video wall, also known as a small LED wall display. The same features of an LED video wall can be availed, only with a small screen size for content display.
Conclusion
Digital signage displays are now an expected norm by millennials and Gen Z. For every business, it is one of the most effective tools that can increase customer engagement. With several studies proving that sales increase is lined to effective digital signage solutions, it is essential for every organization to allocate a reasonable budget for this investment.
