Find out everything you need to know if you are considering getting into digital signage here!
If you’re looking to add digital signage to your place of business, then you’ve come to the right place! Here we will list each item you need to get started with digital signage, just the basics to help get you going.
Imagine walking into your favorite restaurant and being greeted by a dazzling display of colorful pictures and videos that instantly get your taste buds craving for that delicious meal. That's digital signage in action.
Here, you can read about what is needed to get started with digital displays, how to manage them, how much it costs, and much more. Read on for the digital signage basics.
What Even Is a Digital Signage?
Digital signage uses advanced screen technologies like LED, LCD, and projection screens to showcase a variety of information, such as images, videos, web pages, weather updates, menu boards, and more. You'll find them in public places like hotels, train stations, and office buildings, where they serve a variety of purposes ranging from providing directions, and advertising products, to entertaining guests.
Digital displays are a powerful 21st-century tool that can be used in many different ways to enhance your business or organization. Whether you're looking to showcase product photos, pricing, demos, or suggested applications, digital signage can help you stand out from the competition and boost your sales.
But digital signage isn't just about conveying information — it's also about enhancing the customer experience. You can use digital signage to display engaging content that influences customer behavior, such as promoting sales or encouraging visitors to explore your business further.
The best part is that digital signage is not limited to a single screen - multiple screens can be connected together and managed using a centralized digital signage manager. This means you can display the same or different content across any number of screens, creating a truly immersive experience for your audience. So the next time you're out and about, keep an eye out for these eye-catching displays.
3 Items You Need to Get Started With Digital Signage
A business will need three vital items to get started with digital signage. Listed below are explainers for the screens, content management system, and the content itself.
1. Screen
To get started with digital signage, the most important piece you will need is a screen, or more than one. You can buy a new one or use any smart TV you already have.
Any Google TV and Amazon Fire TV are ready out of the box to add Display NOW Digital Signage Player App. You can simply download the Display NOW Digital Signage Player App onto any Google TV or Amazon Fire TV, and voila. You are ready to go!
Any smart TV that is not Amazon Fire or a Google TV will still work as long as it has an HDMI port but will likely require an adapter.
If you are thinking of outfitting your place of business with new screens, that is a great option. A Google TV or Amazon Fire TV are the best options, but again, any smart TV will work. We have a shopping guide to help people find the best TV for display purposes on any budget.
Adapters, aka “Players”
You don't need to break the bank on expensive digital signage displays. In fact, the best displays can possibly be found right in your living room. If you already have a smart TV with an HDMI port, then you're in luck.
If you don’t have a Google TV or Amazon Fire TV, then no worries. Any display with an HDMI port can be transformed into a digital signage display with the help of a Google TV Stick or Amazon Fire Stick. And the best part is that both are affordable and can be purchased for less than $50.
2. Content Management System
On the digital screens, you will want various media to appear. If you have multiple screens, there must be an easy way to control all of them. This is called known as a Content Management System or CMS.
The CMS is an all-in-one spot to control all of one’s screens across one’s business. With Display NOW, organization owners can create their wanted visuals all in one easy-to-use place. Schedule, control, and organize lists and images, all in the same place.
With our Digital Signage Manager (Display NOW’s CMS), you can remotely control what appears on your screens from anywhere in the world with the cloud-based software.
Gone are the days of limited content options. With our software, you can showcase everything from images and videos to web content, weather updates, and even PowerPoint presentations or Google Slides. The possibilities are endless, and the choice is yours.
But it's not just about the content - it's about how you display it. With Digital Signage Manager, you have full control over your playlist, which can be tagged to any number of screens. And if you want different content playing on different screens, that's no problem either. Cloud-based technology makes it all possible.
So why settle for a static display when you can have a fully customizable, dynamic screen that truly reflects your business? Try our cloud-based digital signage software solution.
What about the price?
Who says you have to break the bank to get high-quality digital signage? Not us. We believe that everyone deserves access to affordable and effective displays. That's why we're proud to offer Display NOW, a subscription service that won't break the bank.
Some companies may charge anywhere from $20 per month for just one screen, up to $299 depending on how many screens you have. But with Display NOW, you can get started for as little as $5.99 per month per screen.
But we're not just about low prices — we're also committed to providing top-notch service. Our team of experts and industry leaders is here to help you figure out the best way to meet your needs. Whether you're a small business looking to get started or a larger enterprise needing multiple screens, we've got you covered.
3. Content
For displaying on the screen itself, a business owner will need content. You can display information about their business; no matter what format it’s in. This includes a PDF, Webpage, Image, PowerPoint, and much more.
But if you do not already have content ready, then Display NOW can help with its direct connection to Canva, which has hundreds of templates ready to be used. Canva is the graphic design platform that's taking the world by storm. With Canva, anyone can create stunning graphics in just a few minutes; no design experience needed!
And now, with Display NOW, you can save those graphics directly to your digital signage. It's never been easier to create eye-catching content that will grab attention and make an impact.
Whether you're looking to promote a sale, share important information, or simply add some visual interest to your displays, Canva and Display NOW are the perfect combination. So why wait? Start exploring the possibilities today and see how easy it can be to create stunning content for your digital signage.
Best Uses for Digital Signage
In addition to product information, digital signage can also display important public information such as news, weather updates, or building directories. Corporations and communities can also use digital signage to communicate internal information to employees or members.
Digital signage is the ultimate multi-purpose tool to captivate and inform audiences in public spaces. It's like having a digital billboard at your fingertips, ready to display anything from wayfinding instructions to local weather updates to exciting ads for the latest products.
From busy train stations and airports to cozy hotel lobbies and bustling office buildings, digital signage can be used to create a memorable and immersive experience for visitors and customers alike. So whether you want to inform, entertain, or advertise, digital signage has got you covered.
Conclusion
Adding digital signage to your business can greatly enhance the customer experience and boost sales. With advanced screen technologies like LED, LCD, and projection screens, digital signage can display a variety of information such as images, videos, web pages, weather updates, menu boards, and more.
The three basic items you need to get started with digital signage are a screen, a player (if necessary), and a content management system. Display NOW offers an affordable subscription service that won't break the bank, with cloud-based software that lets you remotely control what appears on your screens from anywhere in the world.
So why settle for a static display when you can have a fully customizable, dynamic screen that truly reflects your business? Try Display NOW's cloud-based digital signage software solutions for your business.
Author - Chris Dukich
Chris Dukich is a visionary problem solver and expert leader who is dedicated to guiding individuals and organizations towards achieving their goals. With a deep understanding of business needs, processes, and cutting-edge technologies, Chris possess the ability to identify, communicate, and unite all relevant parties in order to transform ambitious ideas into tangible realities. As the driving force behind Display NOW, a user-friendly digital signage platform, Chris empowers small business owners to unlock their full potential by equipping them with the necessary tools to attract, inform, and engage with their audience effortlessly.