Understanding the Costs of Digital Signage

Digital signage is an increasingly popular tool for businesses of all sizes. From visitor wayfinding to customer communications, digital signage has become an integral part of the visitor experience. However, the costs associated with digital signage are not always straightforward.

As a go-to digital signage supplier, we want to ensure those looking for solutions are well-informed so that they can make the best decisions for their investment in a digital signage system. So, in this article, we will discuss the costs of digital signage and the factors that affect it. 

Factors that Affect Cost

One of the first questions someone asks when considering digital signage is “how much does it cost?” As business owners and managers, we must understand costs before making business decisions. 

But, as we mentioned before, the costs of digital signage installation are not straightforward. It is more than simply buying a TV screen and plugging it in. There are several key factors that go into the costs of installing digital signage. Let’s explore those factors. 

Hardware Costs

One of the built-in costs associated with digital signage is hardware. Businesses will need to purchase the display(s), media player, and mounting and/or installation hardware. The cost of these items will vary depending on the size and quality of the display, the features of the media player, the type of mounting hardware required, and the number of displays in the system you are having installed. 

For example, a small static directory within one facility with a basic media player may cost a couple thousand dollars, while a company with multiple facilities in need of multiple larger displays with cloud-based software and complex installation may cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Software Costs

The second cost associated with digital signage is software. Businesses will need software to create, manage, and schedule the content that will be displayed on the digital signage displays. The cost of this software will vary depending on the features and capabilities of the software. 

The benefits of your investment in digital signage would be:

• Real-time display publishing

• Cloud-based access to manage from wifi

• Mobile access for touchless interaction

• Self-service access to countless virtual resources like language translation and wayfinding

• ADA compliance for your property

• Building directory integration

The use case will determine the features you need, and the features will ultimately affect the total cost of your investment.

As an example, our digital directory software package starts at $11 a month, while a custom visitor management package with instant background checks, security system integration, and dozens of users across multiple facilities may cost several hundred dollars a month.

Content Creation Costs

Another cost associated with digital signage is content creation. Businesses will need to create or purchase content to display on the digital signage. This content may include multimedia, captioning, videos, graphic design, photographs and images, interactive maps, etc.

In some cases, an organization’s internal team can handle the content creation, but for others there will be additional costs based on the complexity of needs. 

Installation and Maintenance Costs

The fourth cost associated with digital signage is the actual installation. Businesses will need to hire professionals to install the digital signage and ensure that it is working properly. They may also require maintenance and troubleshooting if unexpected issues occur. 

The costs of installation will vary from company to company and will vary depending on the complexity of the installation.

How Much You Can Expect to Pay for Digital Signage Installation

Knowing the factors that affect cost will help you in your purchasing decision, but we understand that businesses doing research need an idea of what they will pay to help them know if it is a reasonable investment to pursue. 

A simple digital display installation can cost around $4000. This includes the display, hardware, installation, and initial setup costs. However, digital signage costs can rise to over $100,000 depending on the complexity of the project. 

For an accurate cost estimate for your needs, it’s best to contact a digital signage installer for a quote. 

Compare Quality vs Cost When Purchasing Digital Signage

Price is obviously a crucial factor for organizations and property managers to consider. But, using costs as the only deciding factor can cause frustration and extra hidden costs down the line. 

Some solutions can appear cost-effective until it is realized that extra add-ons are necessary to gain the functionality needed. You will also find that some digital signage systems are more user-friendly and easier to utilize than others.   

This is why it is especially important to measure the quality of services you need with the costs. 

The best way to purchase digital signage is as a turnkey system. This ensures you receive exactly what you need at the originally quoted price. With turnkey providers like us here at ITS, Inc, you can be confident that your systems will function as you expect without frustrating roadblocks or hidden fees down the road.