Interactivity – The Next Step In Outdoor Digital Signage

Over the last decade, digital signage has become one of the fastest growing forms of media. Screens promoting and advertising products and brands adorn so many areas, from airports and shopping malls to along the high street.

Indeed, outdoor digital signage, while still nowhere near as prevalent as indoor screens, is growing rapidly, with nearly 15 percent of all outdoor adverts now digital.

Outdoor digital signage has both advantages and disadvantages compared to indoor screens. The audience that an outdoor screen can reach is far larger than most indoor screens, with passersby, commuters and those travelling passed in vehicles all able to see outdoor signs. On the downside, dwell times for outdoor digital signage are much lower; audiences may spend up to eight seconds on the average indoor screen, while outdoor digital signage can only expect half that time—even less in poor weather.

QR codes can be implemented with digital signage

Because of this short dwell time, eye-catching and engaging content is even more important for an outdoor digital sign, but giving people a reason to interact with the display is even more effective in getting a promotion or brand remembered.

Touch Screen

Using touch screen technology for outdoor digital signage is one way of providing interactivity. Providing consumers with something they want, whether its information or even entertainment is a good method of instilling brand remembrance.

Several brands have employed touch screen games at areas with a captive audience, such as bus stops, providing the audience, who have with little else to do, with a form of entertainment, allowing brand recognition while they play.

QR Codes

Another method of offering an audience something they may want is by employing QR codes (quick response codes). These barcode like symbols, readable by modern phones can provide an audience with money-off coupons, prizes, additional information, website details, and even, as used by one supermarket chain, allows consumers to order shopping while waiting for a train or bus.