How to Utilize Self-Service Kiosks and Digital Signage Efficiently

With the introduction of self-service kiosks, audiences everywhere—whether it’s at a restaurant, shopping mall, office building, or hospital—have been benefiting from this cutting-edge new technology and the interactivity it provides users.

Interactive digital signage is effective, easy to use, and can increase a business’s ROI over time by allowing businesses to display information quicker and more cost-effectively to audiences.

As a business owner, how can you use self-service kiosks and digital signage to your advantage? How can properly executed display interfaces improve your ROI? Keep reading for the answers.

Improve Accessibility

Digital signage should be designed with accessibility in mind. Not only should the self-service kiosk be ADA-complaint (Americans with Disabilities Act) and user friendly, but it should also take into consideration the fact that not all customers speak the same language.

By providing multi-language support, you can make the display interface accessible to a wider audience and interact with customers from all over the world.

Also keep in mind that customers prefer straightforward designs. If your user interface (UI) is cluttered or difficult to read, it might discourage customers and affect your sales. Customers don’t want to browse several pages just to find the product or service they are looking for.

The same applies for digital signage that cycles through too quickly or too slowly. Customers read and retain information at different paces, so make sure to cycle through information at a steady pace, otherwise your customers might get frustrated and go elsewhere.

One of the biggest benefits of digital signage is that not only is the display interface accessible, but self-service kiosks also provide a myriad of components that help protect the privacy of clients by controlling how data is collected and how personal information is stored.

More Advertising Opportunities

As a business owner, you know how important adverting is for improving brand awareness and customer loyalty. The goal is to attractive your audience’s attention and keep them engaged in your signage.

One of the best ways to do that is to use digital signage and interactive kiosks to display your brand messaging. You could purchase ad space on self-service kiosks and display your ad—whether it be through video, text, audio, or photos—while users wait for their information to displayed.

For instance, if you operate a store within a shopping mall, this is the prime opportunity to advertise your business to potential customers on mall directories. Another example is for fast food restaurants to display ads for their new menu offerings on their digital menu boards. As customers wait their turn to place their order, you could influence their decision by advertising to customers who are already spending money at your establishment. Meanwhile a clinic might allow a wellness brand to advertise new products through digital signage in the waiting room or lobby.

The benefit of digital display interfaces is that the ads can easily be interchanged to display more information, unlike static advertisements that can only display one ad at a time.

Expand Wayfinding

One of the most effective uses for self-service interactive kiosks is for wayfinding. Digital signage can be used to help guide users in a variety of buildings, such as shopping malls, office buildings, and hospitals.

Businesses can use digital wayfinding solutions to improve their customer services and overall customer experience.

Digital wayfinding solutions have shown to be more effective than static maps or directories, which can be confusing, by allowing users to get personalize directions and assume the user’s perspective to better guide them to their destination.

Digital display interfaces can also integrate multiple data feeds to provide users with more than one option. Kiosks can display information such as bus routes, departure times, and travel times, so users can weigh their options and choose the solution that best meets their needs.

Improve the Customer Experience

A recent survey found that 70% of customers expect a personalized experience when using digital kiosks. The good news is that digital signage allows for plenty of opportunities to customize the user experience and help businesses understand their users better.

Businesses can use cloud-based content management systems (CMS) to provide localized messaging (e.g. weather, news, gender-specific resources, and age-related content) to improve the customer experience and provide targeted messaging.

In-store digital signage can also be used to gather customer opinions. Businesses can then use this feedback to develop content geared to their target audience and improve the customer’s experience in-store.

Deliver Information Conveniently

Unlike static signage, digital signage allows businesses to display information quickly and conveniently. Messaging can be switched up or modified on a whim, which means brands can change their signage to suit current trends and demand.

Take for instance the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people are looking for answers and information about the best ways to stop the spread and how to navigate public spaces safely. Medical offices can use digital signage to display valuable information about the virus, including fact sheets, terminology, and general health practices.

Other establishments could use their display interfaces to present information about their social distancing rules in place, such as the number of patrons allowed to enter the establishment and the safety measures in place to protect staff, customers, and the general public.

Since this information could change weekly, using digital signage to deliver information is an efficient way to keep people up to date.

Order Entry and Payment

Lastly, digital display interfaces help to sort out administrative tasks quickly and efficiently. They can be used for data entry and payment and they stretch hours of operation.

When implemented, self-service kiosks streamline operations and reduce the amount of time that is wasted taking orders and imputing information. By eliminating the middle person and having the customer input their own information, it reduces operational costs and benefits a business’s bottom line.

Some organizations that are already benefiting from self-service digital displays are fast-food restaurants, hospitals, medical offices, and grocery stores.

Nauticomp Inc. is one of the leading experts in designing, manufacturing, and distributing high-end commercial and industrial digital signage displays on an international level and across a wide range of industries. Regardless of the type of industry you work in, we can provide the right display interface to suit your needs. Contact us today to learn more about our products and how we can help you enhance your business operations.