The digital signage market has experienced major growth over the past few years. In 2019, the market grew to an astounding $20.82 billion and is projected to reach almost $30 billion by 2024. Much of that growth is due to the changing retail landscape, customer expectations, and new technology making digital signage more accessible to a wider range of businesses. Here are the digital signage trends to watch out for in 2020.

Personalized User Experiences and Data Collection Using Artificial Intelligence

Companies across almost every industry are starting to use artificial intelligence (AI) to create a more personal, streamlined approach to business, and digital signage is no different. In 2020, one of the major digital signage trends will be an increase in signage solutions using AI systems.

Artificial intelligence can use facial recognition software to scan customers and provide a more personalized user experience (UX) using deep learning. For example, digital signs enhanced with AI could show different content based on gender or age demographics. If you manage a retail store, you could program tasks to give specific signs, like pointing kids in the direction of the kidswear section or showing adults the latest trends in fashion. More personalized content means a higher ROI from your marketing.

AI can also be used to collect user data, so you can get a better understanding of who your customers are and learn to cater to their unique needs. From the example above, not only will your signage show specific content based on age demographics, but it’ll also maintain a record of how many kids versus adults interacted with the sign, providing more insight into your customer demographics.

Interactive Digital Signs

Interactive digital signage has been consistently growing in popularity since the takeover of the smartphone as the go-to device for consumer engagement. In 2020, that trend isn’t going anywhere. As more interactive displays like touch screens are introduced to the market, more customers are starting to expect it.

Interactive displays allow UX designers to craft user-centric experiences. Customers can choose the information they want to see for the ultimate marketing personalization. This can also help retailers save money on labor costs by not needing to hire as many staff members to assist customers, which is especially important during tough economic times.

Three-Dimensional Wayfinding Solutions

With the COVID-19 outbreak, many retail customers are hesitant to return to stores. If they do have to go out, they want to get in and out as quickly as possible. That means they need to know where they’re going. Wayfinding solutions are going to be a big part of digital signage in the upcoming year.

Customers will be able to interact with your user interfaces and see maps—and sometimes even 3D models—of your store to find where they need to go quickly and efficiently. The less time they have to spend wandering around to find what they need, the more comfortable they’ll be visiting your store, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

Remote Cloud-Based Deployment

In the past, digital signage content was updated using a USB drive or memory card uploaded directly to the monitor or an in-house media player.

Having to manage each user interface design independently made updating signage a hassle, especially for larger companies with multiple locations. With new cloud technology, business owners and interaction designers can update all digital signage displays across the company simultaneously from a single location using open source software.

Deployment of cloud-based digital signage technology offers increased scalability and easier visual design updates.

Implementation of Larger Screens and Video Walls

As technology advances, screens are becoming cheaper to produce, making digital signage more affordable for businesses. One of the major digital signage trends of 2020 is the use of larger screens. Expect to see a sharp rise in screens upwards of 84” in many businesses, including the use of massive video wall solutions that are impossible for customers to miss.

Smaller screens are also expected to see a rise in use. Because they’ve become so inexpensive, many retailers are implementing a larger number of small screens into their digital signage systems as well.

Bonus Trend – Sanitization Kiosks

With 2020 seeing a big shakeup in retail & restaurant cleanliness, a major trend is popping up this year around “Sanitization Kiosks”

We’ve drafted a full blog about this topic and will share it once published. Check back to see the article.

Learn more about Sanitization Kiosks – Click Here

Digital Signage Solutions from VIEWitMEDIA

The digital signage revolution is in full swing, and customers are beginning to expect commercial signage to have a more personalized user experience design. In the upcoming year, keep an eye out for AI integrations, more interactive user experiences, increased wayfinding options, and video wall displays to become major digital signage trends.

With technology becoming increasingly affordable, there’s no reason for any business to be left behind. If you’re ready to take the next step with your business’s digital signage or have questions about implementing the latest signage trends, contact the experts at VIEWitMEDIA to get started today.