Over the past ten years, our world has in a very short space of time become  more and more digitalized. In 2009, television  signals finally stopped analog signal transmissions to go fully digital. With advancements in  technology, digital cameras have flooded the market, giving customers  a large number of selections in features and fast, easy ways to upload the pictures and movies they go onto their pcs or the web. Another digital form that is becoming  progressively  popular is Digital Signage. Digital Signage, a.k.a.  digital merchandising or a captive audience network, gives advertisers  a dynamic tool to inform  customers about the products or services  they provide and a powerful way to convince them to buy those products and services. Close to everywhere you look, you can discover  some kind of screen media. Let’s take  a peek at a few ways advertisers take advantage  of digital signage to grab a potential customer’s  attention.

Billboards Are Altering the Out-Of-Home Advertising Landscape

If you travel considerably, you might notice a big change in billboards, especially if you travel to cities that are average to big in size. Gone are many of the static billboards. They have given way to digital electronic billboards that deliver advertising and TV content to those passing by. The content may be snippets of the most recent shows that will be on cable television that night. If travelers are on a major highway, a huge electronic billboard might advertise a hotel’s rates or rests that are placed at an upcoming exit. For example, take digital signage in the city of Austin, popular business establishments, shops, boutiques and even “what to do’s” that the city is known for are being advertised on screen media to seize the attention of travelers and residents. Advertisers have learned that billboards that are digital versus static are giving them great flexibility and powerful new ways to get the proper content to the right customers. For example, if it is summer and the city is recognized for water parks, digital signage can sometimes be a big advantage versus an ordinary static sign. The screen media can present clips of homes having fun in the park, switch to an animation giving the location of the water park, and then finish with a digital screen of the park’s price information and hours of operation. The possibilities seem never – ending when it concerns digital signage and their use with billboards.

A Better Dining Experience

Even sit-down restaurants are getting in on the act with digital displays. Restaurants anticipate digital signage to inform and enhance the experience of their customers. Some electronic displays might show the day’s food specials. If a eating house has an active period, they can use digital signage with a screen that gives the likely time until being served. This can help reduce the perceived wait time of customers that is a means to enhance their visit. Interactive screen media that is “touch screen” can also be used so customers can take a look at a restaurant’s menu and perhaps peruse major ingredients or things like calories and nutrition facts. As digital signage continues to increase in technology and price, restaurant owners are likely to find new and innovative ways to use it to involve new customers and keep regulars returning.

Drive Away Satisfied

Even car dealers are applying captive audience networks to help get their cars off their lots and on the path with new owners. Digital signage can be located in car lots showing animations or video clips of the year’s newest automobiles and their security features, how they’re manufactured, package options and even warranty facts. Interactive screen media is being practiced to allow customers to look at vital details about the vehicle like fuel efficiency, pricing information, safety, extras, etc. Customers can also interact with the digital media to change a vehicles interior, color, or other alternatives to tailor-make “their” vehicle. With digital signage, auto dealers have discovered a non-invasive way to convey why their vehicles are the most suitable for and why the customers should buy them.

Digital signage will continue to grow in popularity and usage. More and more advertisers are seeing it as a strong tool to grab the attention of consumers and ultimately, increase income.