Digital Kiosk or Standard Screen? When to Use Each

To get the most out of your digital signage project, it is vital to know when to use kiosks and when to use standard screens. Knowing when to use each type of screen can help increase audience satisfaction and engagement.

Digital kiosks are large, freestanding, portrait screens that come in touch or non-touch formats. Standard screens are nearly identical to TVs you might find in your living room, however, can possess extra features such as higher brightness levels, and longer operating times.

Aside from aesthetics, one of the main differences between the two screen types is the intended audience. Kiosks are usually intended for an individual user. In contrast, standard screens are often intended for many users at a single location.

In this article, we discuss when you should use a kiosk or a standard screen.

Screen to Audience Interaction

Digital Kiosks

Kiosks are typically meant to engage with consumers on an individual level where users directly use the kiosk for functions such as checking out of a hotel or using digital wayfinding to navigate a large campus. They are typically used to provide individual users with the ability to complete a specific task without the assistance of an employee. This makes them highly preferable for self-service projects and environments.

For example, a single digital wayfinding kiosk may be placed in the lobby of a large hospital. Many visitors or patients can’t use the screen at once. However, one or two can use the screen at the same time to receive specifics routes to a specific location request (i.e. A&E Ward). Although fewer people can use the digital kiosk at once, the information retrieved can be of greater quality and use for a specific scenario

Standard Screens

In contrast, standard screens are often used to interact with numerous users at the same time. Instead of content providing a specific purpose, for one person, it provides useful information to many people. However, this information is often less specific.

Using our hospital example again, a digital screen may be placed in the waiting room to show the latest average wait times. As this information is applicable to everyone waiting and not just one person, it suits being on a digital screen to make the information more accessible.

The Verdict

We find that it is good to use a blend of digital kiosks and standard displays in your digital signage project. Standard displays will provide your audience with quick updates and easy information access, whereas digital kiosks will help your audience get answers to specific queries or complete specific tasks.

Knowing When To Use A Kiosk or Standard Screen

One of the first things to consider when deciding whether you should use kiosks or standard displays is to determine how valuable interactivity is to your ultimate goal. For example, are you looking to answer direct queries and solve direct problems, or are you looking to inform a wider audience?

For example, an organisation looking to improve navigation around its site should consider using a digital kiosk. Instead of reading multiple signs, a user can type in their destination on the screen and be given a tailored route right to where they need to be in seconds. However, a retailer looking to draw awareness to a customer loyalty program would be better suited to standard displays, as this goal requires no interaction from the audience and can reach more people at once.

Can I use Digital Kiosks and Normal Screens in my Project?

Yes absolutely! In fact, we would encourage it.

Digital screens and kiosks can be used in collaboration. For instance, standard screens can successfully bring in potential customers to your store. Once the customers enter your store digital kiosks can be used to drive specific goals or provide specific functions. This could be placing an order, or signing up for a loyalty scheme.

Furthermore, interactive digital kiosks can help increase user engagement. Examples include content that allows consumers to enter a competition or a camera that allows users to take a photo using the display.

As demonstrated, picking between kiosks and screens can be a challenging decision for your organisation. Usually, most businesses can reap the benefits from combining both of them and use them in harmony. Digital screens attract the customer attention while the kiosks prompt them to interact on a more profound level.