Outdoor digital signage has become a common sight over the past decade, but what can it do for businesses? Today, we will be discussing different types of outdoor digital signs and how they can benefit different organizations, as well as consumers.
Outdoor digital signage is important because it can increase the visibility of a company, brand, product, service or event. It is generally placed in a public area with plenty of space, creating an excellent opportunity for more awareness in a visually impactful way to many users at once. Most often, outdoor digital signage is larger than indoor signage and intended to be viewed from a greater distance away. In fact, digital billboards are one common example of outdoor digital signage that has grown in popularity by leaps and bounds over the past decade.
Although outdoor and indoor digital signage have many things in common, one major factor that should be considered when placing digital signs outdoors is that they need to be weatherproof and, for the most part, built for durability as the signs can be left unattended for months or even years, depending on the use and location.
Outdoor malls and lifestyle centers use digital directories -- a type of digital signage that is oftentimes interactive as well -- to list all of the stores, restaurants and services in their facility. These digital directories are great for first time visitors as they allow guests to easily find what they’re looking for and where they need to go, saving time. Because they tend to be placed close to entrances and in other high-traffic areas, they help to ensure that visitors are never lost, have a comfortable experience, making them more likely to return in the future.
Bus stop digital signage is used to display bus schedules, local area information, maps, and advertisements. This type of outdoor signage is useful as it helps passengers, especially those who are visiting the area for the first time, ensure they are on the right bus and know at which stop they will need to disembark. Since these displays are quite large, they tend to be eye catching, giving businesses an effective platform to market their products, brands and services.
Fast replacing traditional billboards, digital billboards provide the same function but with much more utility and flexibility. Like a traditional billboard, they display an advertisement with the added benefit of the capacity to automatically rotate through a timed display of multiple different advertisements. This greatly increases the amount of ad space available on a billboard, and allows for more customization for the organization purchasing that space. For instance, they may choose to only display ads during morning rush hour. With more cars on the road during that time, the company that owns the billboard is then able to charge more for ads shown during that time slot. Digital billboards also offer additional utility as they can be used to display emergency information, such as road conditions, accidents, or weather warnings.
Digital signage is used to to assist passengers with their travel at train stations, airports, and subways stations. They are often used to display train schedules and provide updates on any delays along this path. They also notify passengers on when to board or disembark from the train, ensuring their safety during this process. Finally, like most digital signage, they can be used to display advertisements from companies large and small to help promote various services and products.
Theme parks utilize digital signage for wayfinding, to display information, and communicate important updates, including emergency information. Many theme parks have digital signage displays to help guests navigate through the park and locate a ride or attraction. Beyond wayfinding, they also provide awareness of other park services, whether it be a restaurant, a kiosk, or a guest services station. Overall, digital signage provides a useful tool for theme parks to assist their guests without requiring additional staff.
Stadiums and outdoor event centers utilize digital signage to provide complete or close-up coverage of their sport or event, such as a concert. Similar to a television display, many of these stadium and event centers utilize these digital screens to provide additional views, ensuring that the audience can alway see what’s happening, regardless of their seating position. These displays are also used to provide live updates and promote upcoming events for the location. Lastly, like all digital signage, they are also used for the promotion of brands, products or services as well.
COVID-19 has caused restaurants to become incredibly creative in order to stay profitable. Many have incorporated outdoor digital signage to help enable contactless ordering and pickup. These kiosks can allow guests to check in for a reservation, request a seat or order food. In addition, these kiosks are able to display the full menu, giving guests more time to make their selection.
Retailers utilize digital signage displays to showcase their products and brands, as well as special sales and promotions. Since these displays are so large and attractive, they can be an excellent resource that is flexible enough to be updated frequently as promotions or products change.
As you can see, outdoor digital signage can provide wayfinding solutions, increase brand awareness and provide important information to the public. Durable and reliable, they are an excellent resource for many organizations, from transportation hubs to theme parks and everything in between.