Is there such a thing as a perfect relationship? Like all great love stories, there are many factors that have to align when engaging in an interactive digital signage relationship to ensure that the course of true love runs smooth. In William Shakespeare’s play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lysander says to Hermia “the course of true love never did run smooth”. So how can we dispel the Bard’s predictions when it comes to buying a digital touchscreen? 
The Blossoming of a Beautiful Relationship – The Factors in Play Any mutually successful love affair relies on a few common ‘buying’ behaviors at the outset. And as in the case of true love, the analogy between romance, digital signage and touchscreen investment is not lost! Most relationship/purchase decisions will be made from a combination of:- - Reputation/ Brand Name
- Opportunity/ Product Placement
- Appearance/ Product Packaging
- Value/ Return on investment (ROI)
Whilst the first 3 ‘buying’ factors are reasonably logical, the 4th buying point – value and return on investment – are usually factors that ‘couples’ make in the latter days of the commitment. Let’s face it, it’s somewhat uncomfortable to discuss a partners potential ROI in the heady days of love?! And this is where the similarities to a commercial touchscreen buying decision drift apart as business’ use a simple cost benefit analysis to ensure that the financial outlay of a touchscreen investment will be beneficial to the business – even after the honeymoon period subsides! So having established that the course to perfect digital signage and touchscreen relationship is somewhat different to traditional courtship, what buying tips need to be considered at the outset? 1. Reputation & Brand Name Choose your digital signage wisely. Do your homework to ensure that the touchscreen technology solutions will enhance your business brand by working properly, 24/7, and the screen quality is the best you can afford. Take advice from a reputable supplier, such as Yap!digital who has no allegiance to any brand or product – that way their recommendation will be about maximising your touchscreen needs through the best fit product and brand. Make sure you try before you buy. Play with touchscreens of comparable reputation and ideally the exact brand and model, in the same environment, to ensure that you will be happy with the finished product. After all, a reputation is at stake. 2. Opportunity & Product Placement Tying the knot between your business and your touchscreen kiosk systems requires a well thought through logistical plan. Maximising the sales and business promotion ‘opportunity’ of the touchscreen in terms of accessibility to key customers whether the customer is after information, wayfinding, travel schedules, signs and maps or using the touch features to purchase. Consider the opportunity for growth. After all, many successful relationships result in offspring and expanding families! To keep the marriage between your business and your digital touchscreen network solid, you must be prepared to grow. Future proofing your network is key. If your vision is short-term, the relationship between your business and digital outdoor signage will end in divorce. To this end use quality products, with warranty and aftercare supports, that are scalable for the future. In terms of product placement, consider carefully how display screens, media players and associated electrical/IT/Internet connectivity will be logistically sensible. The trick here is to find a supplier that offers a full digital signage solution, plus installation services. Yap!total offers a turnkey solution that incorporates all the elements of touchscreen technical development from start to finish as shown on the flowchart below. 
Touchscreen digital deployments require a supplier with expertise in the market and experience of working on small-scale projects as well as larger installations. From a logistical point of view, a touch screen vendor that offers a complete service relieves the pressure on the customer and increases the likelihood that the project will run smoothly. Working with one provider also limits the number of suppliers you have to consult with and manage. Plus, if your project encounters some hurdles, referring to one point of contact makes troubleshooting easier. 3. Touchscreen Appearance & Product Packaging You will want your touchscreens to reflect your business brand. From the hardware to your content, digital touchscreen signage can improve brand exposure. Some solutions make this easier than others and for touchscreens branded casings and enclosures can be customized to reflect the brand with logos or company colors, enabling customers to better identify the brand by association. Remember, it’s not only the screen content that delivers powerful messages, the hardware around it is vital to lock your brand into a customer’s thinking. Presentation is power and first impressions count, which is why your marketing message — displayed using the touchscreen content — will drive higher retention rates from your potential customers. The great thing about digital signage is experimentation with different types of messaging, animations and video is easily created and controlled remotely and online – researching responses to content will show what engages your audience the most. We recommend the use of a good content design talent, such as Yap!create to get the appearance just right. 4. The Touchy Subject of Price – Value & ROI! Let’s face it, cost is usually the key driving factor in a commitment decision. As in life, finding the perfect partner may take a few trial runs! Get quotes from several suppliers, and don’t settle for the first price you get. Like many products there is a wide range of options on the market – to use the car analogy, everything from a basic model Ford Fiesta right up to a Ferrari. Whilst digital touchscreen signage does not require you to break the bank, as with any significant investment, you can apply the old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ in terms of quality, reliability, after sales support and warranty. That said, you don’t have to have the most expensive digital street signs for it to be effective. The truth is, every small business can set up a basic touchscreen kiosk or directory for very little cost, without compromising on quality. The basic audio visual equipment needed to establish a network of digital outdoor signs isn’t that expensive because wide spread use has meant hardware costs have fallen. Explore ROI opportunities through other revenue opportunities to boost revenues, whether it’s via increased customer spend, advertising or renting your systems out to third parties. The business case for touchscreen cross-selling is easy to make due to analysis and reporting so you can provide potential business partners with data and information. The Perfect Marriage As in all great partnerships, the key to success is understanding and great communication. Yap!digital are the experts — the best in the Perth digital signage touchscreen business — and we’ll help get your touchscreen digital romance blossoming in no time! If you need interactive touchscreen technology to help take your business to the next level talk to us today. Contact Tim at +61 8 9274 5151 or email tim@yapdigital.com.au. | 
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