Retention rates for digital signage often exceed 89 per cent, compared to those at 20 to 30 per cent for static signage.
How to successfully sell digital signage
To succeed in selling digital signage, it is essential to have professional installation support and collaboration with service-oriented partners. This involves having a proficient service team, a strong network, and a responsive call centre to promptly address any technical issues. The key is to ensure customers have a seamless experience with their digital product.
For outdoor installations—given Canada’s challenging climate—it is vital to emphasize the importance of quality sealing, redundancy in components to enhance reliability, and adequate preparations for installation. Ensuring the display can withstand the elements is critical to its long-term success, particularly in a country known for its harsh weather conditions.
Trends in 2024
As we continue into 2024, several emerging trends are shaping the digital signage industry and ushering in a new era of possibilities and innovation.
Immersion
Immersion has become a focal point, with businesses aiming to create more three-dimensional and interactive experiences for customers. Digital signage is increasingly being used as a creative tool, allowing businesses to shape their space with the finesse of an artist wielding a paintbrush.
Choice of brightness/pixel resolution
The resolution of screens has become highly adaptable, enabling businesses to match it to the viewing distance and provide a comfortable and attractive visual experience. This ensures viewers can appreciate the content without any degradation in quality. Further, audiences are becoming increasingly sophisticated and will notice higher resolutions and image quality.
Ensuring a display can withstand the elements is critical to its long-term success, particularly in a country known for its harsh weather conditions.
Interactive signage
Interactive digital signage is on the rise, now incorporating a variety of sensors and touchscreens. This interactivity enhances the viewer’s experience and makes the content more memorable.
Unique screen shapes
The growing use of media screens in diverse shapes, such as triangles, ovals, and spheres, adds a unique and captivating element to digital signage. These unconventional shapes draw attention and provide a distinctive visual experience. In high-end retail spaces, LED screens can be used to create unique experiences for customers and increase the attractiveness of stores.
Semi-outdoor solutions
In Canada’s climate, semi-outdoor solutions custom-tailored to withstand high-humidity or low-temperature indoor applications, such as hockey arenas or swimming pools, are gaining popularity. These applications require special designs that ensure image quality and durability at a reasonable cost. Another notable trend is the application of resin impregnation on the screen to create a smooth, high-quality appearance and protect the surface. This approach is becoming more popular for retail and sports applications.
Energy efficiency
Energy-efficient digital signage is another avenue to watch this year, with technological advancements reducing power consumption while maintaining high-quality visuals. This aligns with the broader trend of adopting greener technologies and reducing the environmental footprint of digital signage.
Portability
Thinner and lighter screens with easy assembly are replacing the older, bulkier designs. This allows for more flexibility in deciding the placement of screens and offers a seamless installation experience.
Conclusion
Digital signage is a thriving industry, offering endless opportunities for businesses to maximize their sales and growth. Finding the right partner and team, embracing the latest trends, and staying ahead of technological advancements are key factors in achieving success in the digital signage sector. With untapped potential still present in Canada’s digital signage market, there is room for growth and innovation for businesses looking to enter or expand in the industry. Digital signage is more than a trend; it is a fundamental shift in the way businesses communicate with their customers, providing an engaging and immersive experience that drives success in a competitive atmosphere. As we move forward in this digital age, businesses that leverage the power of digital signage are poised to not only survive, but also thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace.
Carl Breau is an engineer and the CEO of Nummax, a company specializing in the design and manufacture of LED displays and interactive kiosks.
