Installing digital displays in your retail business is a good idea. Digital signage installation has become a common undertaking for businesses that want to move away from traditional billboard displays. Going digital has proven to be more effective and attractive for companies focusing on customer experience. 

In fact, studies have found that digital signage has a recall rate of 83%, which is almost double that of static signage. Digital signage is engaging and hooks customers with content that is memorable through the use of technology and visuals. As a result, companies installing digital signage focus on enhancing the customer experience while building brand awareness in the competitive world.

Experts in Digital Signage Installation 

With more than 20 years of experience in the digital signage space, ComQi is a trusted digital signage installer. 

We take a start-to-finish approach to digital signage installation with a turnkey approach that allows businesses to easily manage content at scale. Our meticulous process for deployments ensures that your multi-location business has the support it needs for stellar signage installation and support beyond 

Types of Digital Signage Installation

Having been in the digital signage installation business for more than two decades, ComQi has experience with an array of installations including:

• Retail Digital Signage Installation
• LED/LCD Video Wall Installation
• Hospitality Display Installation
• Interactive Product Kiosk Installation
• Digital Menu Board Installation 
• Corporate Display Installation

For each installation, we follow a trusted process using in-venue customer engagement technology. 

What is the Digital Signage Installation Process?

Digital signage installation follows a unique process for maximum impact. Although there are some similarities with the traditional billboard displays, there are some significant differences that you need to know before considering digital signage installation.

ComQi’s unique process is composed of strategic steps for successful digital signage installation. It consists of the following steps:

1. Network Planning

2. Deployment Planning & Go Live Preparation

3. In-Venue Deployment & Content Production

4. Ensuring Ongoing Network Health

Network Planning

In digital signage installation, network planning involves identifying the best source of connectivity to keep your content flowing smoothly. Ethernet generally is more reliable, but isn’t always the most practical option.

Ethernet 

One way to connect a digital signage network is with Ethernet. Digital signage is displayed through the use of physical cables.  The Ethernet connection is usually more stable than  Wi-Fi. 

Ethernet would be a good option for those businesses that are displaying digital signage in a location that already has Ethernet capabilities.

Pros

· More stable connection because of the physical cables

· You can employ your own IT personnel to ensure the digital signage is operating without interruption

Cons

· Older businesses or buildings may not be able to install the new conduit needed for the Ethernet cable

· Ethernet usually works for up to 330 feet; if the digital signage is across a large area, it may not be reliable

For outdoor digital displays, you can also consider a wireless or cellular connection.

Cellular 

The use of cellular for digital signage is an easy and effective way to connect a digital signage network. Cellular networks generally fail less than internet networks, making this option more reliable than others. 

Businesses that are located in areas with good cellular coverage could consider this option to display their digital signage. It may not be best in rural areas with poor cellular coverage.

Pros

· Easy to set up

· Low up-front cost

· Signs can continue to update even if the internet is down

· Cellular networks are considered essential infrastructure and have more resources dedicated to keeping them up and running

Cons

· Not very reliable in areas with poor cellular coverage, such as rural areas

· Manufacturers may put limits on cellular usage and only allow your sign to update a certain amount of times throughout the day

Wi-Fi 

One of the most common ways to connect a digital signage network is through the use of Wi-Fi. This may require the mounting of hardware (such as a router). Wi-Fi is best for digital signage that is outside, such as at sports venues or on billboards.

Pros

· You have total control over it because it’s your own network

· You don’t need to run conduit like you would with Ethernet

Cons

· An influx of other Wi-Fi devices can hinder the efficiency of your own Wi-Fi and its ability to update your digital signage

· You need to whitelist and configure your Wi-Fi so that it can access your network

The success of your digital signage displays depends on an internet connection, so you must work on getting the most reliable internet source for your digital signage location.

The success of your digital signage displays depends on an internet connection, so you must work on getting the most reliable internet source.

Placement: Where Will Your Signs Go?

Digital signage systems come in all different sizes, so they could go anywhere. Placement is crucial for their efficacy, so determining the optimal locations for digital signage is essential. Some questions to ask yourself when considering placement include:

·   What size displays am I using?

·   What is the floor plan? Open? Obstructed?

·   Where will the foot traffic be in relation to my signage?

·   How many times will my customer see my signage?

·  How are my customers going to use the signage? If it’s interactive, is it at the correct height to be inclusive of my customers protected under the ADA?

Placement Options

The location of your video wall might sound obvious, but you need to think about it. Essentially, you want to place your display in an area where it will have maximum impact. Therefore, putting your digital signage in a location where most people will see it makes sense. 

Placement options for digital signage include: 

• In entrances and intersections
• Along columns 
• In waiting areas
• At the entrance of lobbies
• At the front of information desks

However, you don’t just want your digital screen to be seen by a maximum number of people. You want the relevant traffic to see the relevant content on display. For example, you cannot bury a wayfinding kiosk deep into the mall. You should place it at the entrance or intersections. 

Hardware: What types of Screens and Media Players Will You Use?

There are multiple options to consider when it comes to the digital display hardware. However, LCD screens have been the ultimate screens for digital signage for many years. They’re lighter than plasma screens, relatively affordable, and have resolutions of up to 4K. However, if your signs will be in a bright environment you may need something with higher contrast and brightness.

Deployment Planning & Go Live Preparation

Deployment planning is a crucial stage of your digital installation process. First, you must establish your goals before going live. This will assist you in evaluating how well the installation will meet your objectives. 

Before deployment and going live, you need to develop a deployment design. ComQi can help you with any deployment planning and preparation for going live with your signage installation.

This detailed level contains step-by-step instructions on how your digital signage will be applied in the field. A straightforward deployment design eliminates cost overruns, unhappy customers, bad installs, and revisits. 

In-Venue Deployment & Content Production

In-venue deployment, it’s essential to work with an expert to help you make critical decisions. For example, you want your video displays to be in heavily trafficked areas where your customers will most likely see them. However, you don’t want your screens to be affected by direct sunlight as this could damage your screen or cause glare, unless it’s a LED screen. 

Also, you need to have your content management plan ready from the beginning. You can outline important messages, images, and calls to action. Planning which types of content you will display across your signage network will ensure that your content has the strongest impact on your audience.

Ongoing Network Health

You might not know this, but, as with any technology, the chances are that an error will occur at some point. Develop a clear plan for addressing the error and the probable technician who can help you eliminate such issues. With ComQi’s cloud-based signage solutions you can troubleshoot your signage remotely from anywhere you have an internet connection.

Things to Consider Before Installing Your Digital Signage

You now have explicit knowledge of how the digital signage installation process flows. However, there are some fundamental factors you need to consider before installing your video wall. 

What is the Purpose of Your Digital Signage?

Your purpose for installing a video wall will probably inform all other decisions you’ll make. Therefore, you must come up with a conclusive reason before taking the next step. First, you need to understand who will see the signage. What do you want to communicate, and how do you want the target viewers to respond? 

If you’re using video walls for advertising, you need to communicate; the product, price, who can buy, how they can buy, and how they will benefit from the product.

Businesses should be crystal clear about the targeted message on the signage and the conversion they want it to make. That way, the signage aligns with brand messaging and speaks to the ideal viewer.

Which Types of Displays Will Work Best in Your Space?

As discussed earlier, you can consider multiple types of displays for your digital signage. First, however, you need to know the best presentation that will provide maximum results for your organization. If you’re planning on using your signage in external windows, you’ll need displays with the best resolution and contrast to maximize their impact.

Other considerations for your digital signage display include who your target audience is and how they spend their time in your space. If you are a business that sells products or goods, consider using an interactive display to engage your audience. If your space is on the smaller side, consider using tablets for an interactive experience. If your space is larger, you may be able to incorporate kiosks or media/video wall displays.

What is the Content Strategy for Your Signage?

During the content design stage, you focused on content production. The majority of the businesses focus on internal content generation, but you can always outsource from digital marketing experts. 

Besides paying attention to content production, you need to consider who will approve the content before display. Remember, millions see digital displays, and sensitive content affecting race, religion, culture, and gender can easily damage the reputation of your business. 

Finally, it’s essential to determine how often your content will be refreshed. Timing is critical in digital displays. Therefore, you must ensure that each piece of content gets sufficient time on the video wall before replacing it. 

What Content Management System Will You Use?

An essential part of content strategy is the management of content. You need your customers to be engaged with the content in order for the digital signage to do its job. This can be automated with a content management system (CMS). Experienced companies, like ComQi, offer digital signage software as part of their services. ComQi’s digital signage software includes features for:

·   Content Scheduling

·   Content Programming

·   Integration

·   Operational Tools

·   Online Documentation

·   Network and Device Management

Content strategy is a multifaceted process and ComQi can help with each area of it, including the implementation of a CMS.

Digital Signage Installation Questions, Answered

The expert team at ComQi would be happy to answer any questions that you may have about digital signage. We’ve rounded up some common questions that are asked about digital signage installation so you don’t have to go searching for answers:                                                                                      

How Long Does Digital Signage Installation Take?

The installation time for digital signage can vary depending on the complexity of the system, the number of displays, and the size and scope of the project. Generally, installation times can range from a few hours to several days.

What if Something Goes Wrong After my Digital Signage Installation? 

As with any aspect of operating a business, there is the possibility of potential issues. ComQi offers end-to-end services for digital signage installation, including maintenance. We have a comprehensive support program that keeps your network up, your screens on, and your campaigns running.   

Connect with Expert Digital Signage Installers. Connect with ComQi.

As you can see, the digital signage installation process is a seamless technical approach. However, in each stage, some complex technical aspects may require the assistance of a digital signage expert.

At ComQi, we can assist your business in digital signage installation. We’ve been in this industry, and we know what it takes to make video walls work. We provide cost-effective digital signage solutions and installations that can elevate your in-venue experiences. Connect with us today for expert digital signage installation, every step of the way.