In the realm of functional decor, there is no doubt that digital signage is one of the most beneficial investments that an organization could make. Businesses in every sector can leverage the power of this technology to increase brand awareness, improve customer service, and deliver critical information to employees, customers, or students.
Digital signage is an extremely versatile tool that can benefit businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions in ways that are specific to their industry. It’s no wonder that this tool is growing in popularity. But what is the outlook for digital signage, and how can you effectively implement it for your business?
Growth in the Digital Signage Industry
According to the AVIXA’s Industry Outlook and Trends Analysis, the digital signage industry is expected to grow from $35 billion in 2022 to $44.7 billion in 2026. Researchers attribute this rapid expansion to an overall increase in commercial applications across industries such as retail, hospitality, education, and more.
In 2020, industries that relied on digital displays to share information and engage customers were forced to use pandemic-based safety protocols. Restaurants that once used digital screens to entertain and inform patrons were restricted from offering takeout. The retail industry transformed from engaging in in-person shopping to taking online orders exclusively, reducing the need for digital signage.
Now, organizations are opening their doors once again. To engage employees, corporate employers have implemented hybrid work models, complete with updated audiovisual solutions. Consumers are comfortable shopping in-store again, and retail stores use digital signage to stand out amongst competitors. Ultimately, organizations in every sector are capitalizing on the value of this dynamic signage to enhance customer service, increase brand awareness, and boost organizational culture.
If you are interested in implementing digital signage to improve your organization, consider these ways that signage technology can support your unique niche and goals.
Using Digital Signage in Different Industries
1. Hospitality
In the hospitality industry, digital signage allows resorts, hotels, and restaurants to create a memorable guest experience. When hospitality businesses cultivate an excellent guest experience, they attract repeat clients and expand their customer base through positive reviews and word-of-mouth advertising.
In the digital age, guests desire advanced audiovisual technology to elevate their experiences, and digital signage empowers hospitality businesses to ensure that guests receive the best experience possible.
There are several ways that businesses in the hospitality industry can benefit from implementing signage solutions. With interactive touchscreens, guests can quickly check in or out without the assistance of receptionists. Large resorts can use wayfinding kiosks and displays to ensure that guests can easily find nearby events and attractions. Meanwhile, restaurants can utilize interactive digital menu boards that enable guests to order for themselves.
2. Retail
Many consumers have become comfortable shopping online. Now, retailers are successfully merging in-store shopping with the allure of technology using digital signage. Brick-and-mortar stores are leveraging this signage to support their visual merchandising efforts and cultivate an engaging experience that consumers cannot replicate with online shopping.
Interactive screens catch consumer attention in a way that traditional signage cannot, and statistics show that 8 out of 10 customers have entered a store due to digital signage. This technology also allows retailers to repurpose their social media content in the form of in-store advertisements that support their social media presence and drive sales.
Brick-and-mortar stores also leverage this technology to share product information and recommend products to customers. Interactive touchscreens take pressure off employees and elevate the customer experience by allowing shoppers to check prices or search for items in stock. Ultimately, digital signage empowers retailers by streamlining the customer journey and taking advantage of upsell opportunities in-store.
3. Corporate Offices
Recent corporate statistics state that 50% of professionals use digital signage for communication. This is an important trend, as corporate organizations benefit strongly from enhanced internal communication, which increases employee productivity by 25%. By partnering with audiovisual integration specialists, your company can strategically install signage solutions throughout the office to enhance your organization’s corporate identity and improve communication.
Corporate organizations may use their signage displays in various ways. For instance, welcome signage in reception areas enhances clients’ experience when they visit your office, while strategically placed announcement signage ensures that employees are aware of recent events in the office.
Corporate offices may also benefit from digital signage displaying KPI dashboards and goals in sales areas to encourage employees to stay on track. Many corporate organizations also place screens in meeting room areas to display the real-time schedule of room availability while also allowing employees to reserve rooms at their convenience.
4. Educational Institutions
Since schools, colleges, and universities have re-opened their campuses for in-person classes, digital signage allows educational institutions to enrich their services by increasing engagement, enhancing their reputation, and improving their infrastructure. Audiovisual integration professionals can ensure that educational institutions choose the right signage solutions for their needs.
Dynamic signage allows educators to stay up-to-date with digitally conscious students while delivering crucial information more quickly and effectively than traditional means. Educational institutions may also use digital message boards to display menus in cafeterias and promote events, thereby eliminating the expenses of printing and updating traditional signage.
When these institutions integrate digital signage solutions with a centralized control platform, school districts can easily manage content on every screen throughout their network. Wayfinding signage can also display directories and class schedules to reduce confusion. Many campuses also choose to implement digital screens complete with cameras that link to their security system to ensure students remain safe.
5. Government Organizations
The Forrester Customer Experience Index survey found that 80% of government agencies struggle with low customer experience scores. Government organizations must focus on enhancing communication and streamlining their customer service processes to improve their satisfaction ratings. Digital signage is a low-cost way for government agencies to provide a better customer experience.
In government agencies, digital signage has the power to enhance the public perception of your organization while supporting your core values. Public perception drastically impacts how individuals respond to government offices and services. If customers arrive at the office only to see an outdated technology, they will expect slower response times. In contrast, digital signage expresses that your organization is customer-focused and dedicated to delivering the best service possible.
Many government agencies find it challenging to minimize wait times, but those that utilize digital signage and self-service touchscreens are less likely to face these difficulties. Self-service capabilities allow customers to enter check-in information with ease for faster service. In government agencies, many customers can complete tasks such as bill payment or car tag renewal using self-service touchscreens alone, taking pressure off of civil servants. Digital signage that informs customers about self-service options easily reduces wait times and enables an efficient way to resolve basic issues.
