Today we’re going to take a look at the digital sign process.
We've been in the custom sign industry for over 10 years and we specialize in sign design, manufacturing, maintenance, and installation of all types of signage, including digital signs.
In this guide we’ll outline what is involved in the digital sign process, including the many benefits of digital signage. So, let’s get started!
What Is Digital Signage?
Digital signage uses a digital display like a computer monitor or television screen to display your message. Instead of a traditional static sign, a digital sign can be either static or it can move.
It also can be changed as often as you want it to. You will find digital signage everywhere you go including the mall, hospitals, educational buildings, lobbies, and restaurants.
Why Choose Digital Signage?
Digital signage is a great communication tool: If you need to get a message out to your customers or staff, a digital sign works extremely well. There are many benefits of using digital signage, including:
It's Attractive:
Digital signage is a great way to communicate your message. It is much more eye-catching than traditional static signage such as posters, flyers, banners, and signs as it catches people's attention in a way that a static sign can't.
A digital sign is an effect way to catch people’s attention – Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Digital_Signage_im_Handel.jpg
It Can Improve Your Marketing and Advertising Effectiveness:
Digital signage gives you the ability to present a powerful call to action and show engaging visuals.
Your message will really get noticed with a digital sign, and it can help improve your communication with your visitors, staff, or students.
It's Becoming More Cost Effective:
When digital signage first came out, it was extremely expensive. However, the overall cost of digital signage has been decreasing every year since, making it a much more affordable option now than ever before.
Initially, a digital sign installation cost thousands of dollars, but now you can potentially install one for a few hundred dollars, depending on the size of project you’re planning.
What You Need for Digital Signage
There are four basic parts to a digital signage display. They include:
Hardware:
You need to have a physical device to display your message, like a display screen or monitor, and something to hold it up or stand it on.
If you are putting your display on a wall, then you will need the proper wall mounts to hold it securely.
You will also need a media player to send your message to your screen. This may be a laptop or other type of computer.
You will need a screen and possibly wall mounts to display your message
– Source: Amazon
Software:
In addition to your hardware, you will require a content management software (CMS). This special type of software will allow you to display your content on your screen.
There are many different types and levels of CMS. Some are free and others you need to pay a monthly or yearly fee.
Different CMS have different capabilities. Some will let you show a wide range of content including text, images, video, webpages, etc; while others only can show limited content.
Make sure you ask about your CMS's capabilities and choose one that will do what you want it to do before you buy it.
Here is one example of Digital Signage CMS from theallseetech
Content:
The content refers to the messages you will show on your display. Your content can be text, images, video, calendars, and webpages or any combination of these.
A Plan:
You want to carefully think through and decide on a strategy for your digital signage to make sure that you achieve the purpose that you have for you message.
A Manager:
You need to assign someone the task of managing and updating your digital signage.
If you don't have someone to do this task, your sign could be forgotten about. To be effective, your content needs to be fresh and regularly updated or your audience will lose interest.
Put someone in charge of keeping your digital signage up to date
Where to Set up Digital Signage
It is extremely important to choose the placement of your digital sign so that it will have the greatest impact.
Think about your goals for your project and your target audience when deciding on the optimal location.
For example, if your goal is to promote this week's sale in your retail store, then you could place your display at the front of your store right where the most traffic passes by as the enter.
Here are some additional tips for the placement of your digital sign:
Interactive Signs: Make sure these are placed where people are encouraged to stop and wait such as a lineup for a service. They also need to be at a suitable height so that they can be accessed easily.
Signs to Attract New Customers: Place these displays where they can be seen by people passing by your location like a store window or doorway.
Office Updates: If you want to inform your staff about important information, place your monitors in the entrance to your business so they will be noticed as your staff enters and exits.
Students: Busy hallways are a great location for digital signage if you are trying to reach students with your message.
Place your sign where many people will be able to see it
– Source: Photo_by_Kriesten_objekt_design_GmbH.jpg
Places Where People Stop: Look for common areas where people tend to stop and hang around, like the water cooler or the mall food court. These are great locations for digital signs.
Unobstructed Views: Make sure that you sign is visible. Don't place it where things like pillars, staircases, or dividing walls can block it.
Height: If possible, it's best to place your digital signage so that it is at eye-level. Take the average height of your target audience and place your display accordingly.
How to Form the Best Message
Even if you have chosen the best display and the perfect position for it, your message will only be effective if the content that you display is effective.
You need to have a strong design and a very compelling message in order to attract your audience.
For an effective message, you need to:
Keep it brief - less is more; don't overcrowd it with too many words or design elements
Think through your design placement
Include a clear call to action
Make a balanced design that considers the use of colour, space and alignment
How AGC Signs Can Help
AGC Signs can help you with your digital signage project. We can advise you on the best display hardware and software choices available and professionally install it for you.
If you have questions about digital signage, we have the answers for you and the experience and expertise to make digital signage work for your business.
AGC Signs can manufacture and install any type of signage you require, even digital. We have over 10 years of experience in the signage industry in Ontario!
All of our technicians are highly skilled and extremely hard-working, and we use only top-of-the-line equipment. You can trust us to do the job right; we do all of the work ourselves and never sub-contract it out. Contact us today for a quote.
"I worked with AGC Signs on a signage project and was really happy with how it turned out. Rhonda took the time to explain to me how everything works and we went back and forth a few times looking at proofs. She was super helpful and I'm really happy with the quality of work I received. Would definitely recommend!"
- Lisa Ng
