Well hello there 2018! A new year is always an exciting time. And we’re certainly bursting with anticipation about the digital signage trends that will dominate this year.
Digital signage is growing in a big way. Today the global market is worth an estimated $16 billion. By 2023 – just five years from now – this already blossoming market is expected to grow to $26.21 billion.
As usual, there are lots of weird and wonderful predictions floating around about what the big developments in digital signage trends will be. And whether you are a business currently using digital signage or thinking about it, or even interested in becoming a reseller, it’s important to know what to expect.
What’s in store? – Digital signage trends
So where will our industry be in 2018? What digital signage trends will dominate? If 2017 is anything to go by, then we can expect even more advanced hardware. And by hardware I mean both the look and feel of displays and players, as well as their tech specs. But more than that, I believe we’ll see some much-needed innovation in terms of digital signage content. The watchwords are interaction, personalization and intelligence.
This is because the emphasis is starting to switch. And this is a change for the better. The end user’s experience is becoming the central point. It’s not enough simply to have fancy hardware with stunning screen resolutions simply dotted around venues in the hope of making an impact. Content needs to be responsive, more interactive, localized, and personalized.
So, here we go. Our top five predictions of what we’ll be seeing in 2018:
1. Even better hardware
Screens, players and other peripherals became a lot more sophisticated last year. One of the standout examples was the launch to market of NEC’s first Raspberry Pi displays, the P and V Series. NEC’s decision to produce these products adds a new level of display intelligence. How? By enabling the creation of more complex, tailor-made solutions for digital signage, as well as true integration. Meaning scalable computing power such as Raspberry Pi compute modules or Open Pluggable Specification (OPS) Slot-in PCs which can be embedded into the displays to create a fully integrated solution. We can expect more similar developments from other manufacturers in 2018. Better, sleeker designs are also on the agenda the increasing need for screens to blend flawlessly into their surroundings.
2. More interactivity and personalization
“Magic display, on the wall, please interact with me a little more!” If the Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was into digital signage versus mirrors, then that’s what she may say. Well, in 2018 she will probably get her wish. This is because better connectivity and easier integration among suppliers means that it will be easier to craft content and solutions which can really engage users. From touch screens for “Plan Your Visit” type actions, and proximity marketing screens, to immersive and interactive retail displays using AR and VR technologies, we expect the interactive factor to level up this year on a grand scale.
3. Video walls everywhere!
The digital signage video wall. A star attraction in many an industry in 2017, it will become more commonplace in 2018 due to the improved ease of creation. That and the fact that they are simply a stunning way to make an impact on a mass audience in large locations like airports and train stations, as well as shopping malls, hotels and even offices and educational institutions. Not only do video wall installations offer more surface area to work with, you can also use them to create unusual shapes for specific design-style uses like art galleries, museums, hospitality digital signage, etc. Video walls can also be used for wayfinding digital signage in larger environments. Building a video wall has never been easier, especially with Yodeck. If you’re looking for a simple yet stunning solution for a video wall, then check out our detailed guide.
4. More responsive content
Many have cottoned on to the fact that one of the best ways to tap into consumers’ needs is by creating and using responsive content. That’s why this will be one of the major digital signage trends of 2018. It’s now possible to create digital signage solutions whereby content changes based on external triggers. These triggers can be anything from the weather (i.e. a screen will display promotions for hot drinks and comfort food when it’s cold), traffic or time of day. This creates an engaging experience for the consumer which really hits their need at the right place at the right time. Watch this space for more examples during the year.
5. The rise of DIY digital signage
In an effort to jump on the digital signage bandwagon, many businesses are opting to try and take care of everything by themselves. Or keep it in-house at least with a smaller scale and more simple implementations. Small and medium businesses in particular are taking this “cautious” route and it’s a trend we’ll see more of in 2018. The problem is they often fall for the myth that it is an expensive business and that’s the main reason they try to go it alone. While this can be OK in many cases, we’re not great fans of this approach. Why? Because there’s a greater chance of things going wrong. And since services like Yodeck (shameless self-promotion here but it’s true) offer single-screen digital signage for free, as well as incredibly competitive pricing for multiple screens, you have to ask yourself why bother with bootstrapping, or trying a workaround?
Get on the 2018 growth train!
So, there you have it. Digital signage trends for 2018 promise an exciting 12 months ahead. Ultimately, it doesn’t really matter how small or how large the business or market is. Opportunities are abundant! If you would like more information or have any questions about the best digital signage setup for your business, or how you can become a reseller with Yodeck, contact us to find out more and get started!