Traditional Billboards vs. Digital Billboards
Key Features for Digital Billboards
What Are the Benefits of Using Digital Billboards?
Common Applications of Digital Billboards
Places Suitable for Putting Up Digital Billboards
How Much Does it Cost to Put Up A Digital Billboard?
Factors to Consider When Putting Up A Digital Billboard
Case Studies of Unilumin Electronic Billboard Solution
In different parts of the world, like Asia, digital billboards have ultimately surpassed traditional outdoor media. A digital billboard is an electronic outdoor advertising device that displays a dynamic message. Digital billboards are typically located on major highways, busy streets, and in high-traffic areas to catch the attention of motorists, pedestrians, or public transit commuters.
Digital billboards are screens in public spaces designed to capture people's attention with advertisements and promotions. The signs get their power from LCD or LED bulbs. The desired content, including videos and audio messages, is available. The respective companies can use these billboards to curate their real-time marketing strategies. Every company can have slots in their designated time frames on the same spot.
When deciding between digital (LED) billboards and traditional billboards for your business, it's essential to consider your specific goals, target audience, and budget. Both options have their advantages, and the best choice will depend on your unique circumstances.
A digital billboard can offer greater flexibility with the ability to display dynamic content, including animations, videos, and real-time information, whereas a traditional billboard will show only a static printed image and text.
A digital billboard does not start to peel or appear dingy. It Maintains a high-quality appearance, even in low-light conditions, and looks clear, lovely, and beautiful even at night. On the other hand, traditional billboards gradually look dirty and fade after continuous usage, affecting their overall aesthetic, unless the poster is replaced regularly.
In a digital billboard, you share screen time with several other brand advertisers. However, in a traditional billboard, it is entirely exclusive. Your ad is the only one appearing on the billboard for a particular amount of time.
A digital billboard allows for easy message updates and customization and can change between multiple messages, enabling you to respond to current events or promotions. On the other hand, a traditional billboard is unchangeable, making it require more time and expense to change messages.
A digital LED billboard Offers precise scheduling options and can be targeted to specific demographics or times of day, allowing you to schedule and advertise at peak times and for a limited time. While traditional billboards have limited scheduling options and less targeted reach.
Digital Billboards generally have higher upfront costs but may offer long-term savings due to their flexibility and ability to reach a wider audience. Traditional Billboards start with lower initial costs but can incur additional expenses for maintenance and message changes.
Large outdoor signs use LED technology for announcements or graphics for a particular purpose. The respective companies position them in high-traffic areas to get the most contact with the target audience. Standard electronic billboards are usually on highways and urban centers to fulfill traffic needs. The main characters for these signs are vibrant visuals and dynamic content to cater to different clients within a few seconds.
Most standards boards have a schedule, which means many clients can use the same space in a rotation. In some cases, real-time updates are displayed for the public using the available software. For example, people could receive updates on weather conditions or current events, hence an engaging experience.
3D electronic billboards represent a technological evolution in outdoor advertising. This type of signage creates the illusion of three-dimensional images that appear to pop from the display. These billboards use techniques like anamorphic distortion and forced perspective to engage their clients visually.
These boards are also placed in strategic positions so that more individuals can come across the brand amplification attempts. The greatest rationale behind the approach is that consumers will recall more information about the product if they engage more deeply. Some cases could incorporate augmented reality (AR) features to engage the viewers using smartphones. This format has helped make the adverts very effective and more accessible to engrave in the public's minds.
New outdoor advertising elements allow the viewers to get engaged with the content displayed on the digital signage by creating scenes. These billboards might have touch screens, motion sensors, or even augmented reality. The users can get involved in different dimensions of the campaign. For instance, some installations expect the viewers to answer questions, complete puzzles, or do social network challenges.
Companies that place their ads on these boards can target their intended viewers based on conditions such as the viewers' age, gender, and preferences. For example, a fitness brand could create an advert that includes an electronic billboard with a component of issuing a challenge regarding how fast a person may run past the billboard. They could remind them they can get a discount if they exceed a certain speed. This level of engagement significantly increases brand recall and 'brand love' because the participants are likely to share their experiences.
Digital signage has been a recent addition to outdoor advertising, and the impact on target clients from this high-level messaging has been tremendous.
A common and important characteristic of electronic billboards is the ability to share various content, including videos, animations, and still pictures. Some brands choose to give live information. This flexibility allows advertisers to change their messages frequently.
Another critical feature is location-based targeting. Different messages relate to specific factions in the consumer base. These boards allow for this versatility across the locations.
Advanced LED technology ensures high-resolution imagery. The message should be as clear as possible because the color choice and lighting setup are optimal. The main aim is to capture attention effectively, even in bright sunlight and other weather conditions. Additionally, many electronic billboards have sensors to gauge audience engagement or respond to viewer actions. There are several display types used for different purposes. LED displays use millions of tiny LEDs to create vibrant images.
Truss boards are ideal for outdoor spaces because they have durable structures matching high-quality displays. Some companies could be on the budget, and most billboard options are unreliable.
Retrofit digital signage is handy as it uses the existing static resources and converts them to digital outputs.
Security is an important consideration when considering the type of display to use for a marketing experience. There is always the risk of malicious actions on display boards, hence the need for a display function that repels some of the action. Anti-graffiti billboards have a special coating to curb damage. These boards cannot hold paint or any material that can block the intended audience from viewing.
Some advertisement campaigns could need the target customer niche to view the messages from both sides for the desired outcomes. Double-sided billboards are important to create a good impression of the product on sale while achieving maximum reach.
You don't need to pay any printing or labor costs when putting up a digital LED billboard, helping you save on production costs.
Customer experience is a vital aspect of marketing. Currently, brands and businesses are relying heavily on the digital approach to provide customers with new experiences. To guarantee a captivating customer experience, advertisers opt to provide information dynamically, for example, through digital billboards. A digital billboard is highly interactive and provides consumers with a unique visual and touch experience.
Your brand ad is sent to the billboard screen electronically, which can happen in a few hours. You don't need to send a poster weeks or days before your ad goes up.
If you have different stores or products to promote, you can send different versions of your ad with the address and information on each one. You can use your time slot to display more than one ad.
Unlike traditional billboards, a digital billboard allows you to use creativity intelligently. You are open to creating new interactive experiences that make you stand out from your competition. As such, this creativity allows for a competitive advantage.
With an increase in brands in the current market, there is a need for businesses to adapt to a more demanding customer base. A digital billboard increases your brand's visibility, translating to more leads.
When looking to build your brand and increase brand awareness, a digital billboard is certainly the way to go. Digital billboards allow for improved audiovisual communication, which further enforces your brand in the eyes and ears of your target audience.
A digital LED billboard is generally more attractive than a conventional billboard. It uses audiovisual communication to pass across a message. As such, it attracts more customers and leads. Ultimately, more leads translate to increased conversion and a higher ROI.
Electronic billboards have a myriad of purposes in the modern world. Information is crucial for smooth social operation, and it comes in handy in the following ways:
Electronic billboards are the go-to for product promotions. Brands can highlight new launches, seasonal items, or special offers. The boards are popular for their ability to deliver vibrant visual content using high-quality audio-visual content that captures the product's essence. Their dynamic nature allows for quick updates to reflect changing promotions over time. For example, a soft drink brand might use a digital signage to announce a limited-time offer on a new flavor with enticing visuals. The company could add a countdown timer for customers to develop a sense of urgency. Generally, electronic billboards are among the top organizational preferences for driving immediate consumer interest.
Electronic billboards are on the scene to promote events, including concerts. These billboards can draw attention to upcoming activities with relevant information. With real-time updates, event organizers can change the content to highlight issues like ticket availability and schedule changes. Additionally, a digital signage strategically placed near venues can capture potential attendees' attention on the event day. The organizers will experience boosted ticket sales and enhanced overall attendance.
Electronic billboards also serve as platforms for public service announcements that need real-time information delivery. Government agencies or non-profit organizations often use these billboards to disseminate alerts. They could range from safety measures to information about civic duties. For instance, electronic billboards can promptly relay critical information like evacuation routes during disasters. Many people can also get quick information if there is a danger of severe weather and impending emergencies. The dynamic nature of electronic billboards allows for updates as situations evolve. They ensure the public receives relevant information essential for safety and awareness.
A digital billboard can be a great investment if put up in the right place. An essential part of determining the best location is knowing your target audience. Keep your target audience in mind every time you position your digital billboard. Below are a few places you can put up your digital billboard for increased visibility and engagement:
1. Freeways/ just off the highway. Putting up a digital LED billboard in such an area will give you access to a wide range of customers. Everyone driving has different needs. You are most likely to fulfill a major need for a considerable amount of people driving on the roads.
2. Near train stations and bus terminals. If your product has mass appeal and is not entirely geared towards a specific demographic, public transportation should be your ideal choice.
3. Near hotels and commercial establishments. Tourist and commercial spots, especially those located in downtown city areas, are prime locations for digital billboards.
4. Near schools or office buildings. If your brand is geared towards either young students or office workers, then putting up a billboard near their institutions is an ideal choice.
Essentially, you want to put up a digital LED billboard where there is massive foot traffic. The more people have visual access to the billboard, the higher the chances of increasing visibility.
An outdoor digital billboard is most likely to cost up to $280,000. However, this will depend on location, size, clarity/quality of the screen technology, and display duration.
If you want to advertise on a digital LED billboard, expect to pay between $1,200 to $15,000 per month. The price will depend on the location of the digital billboard. Thankfully, the Return on Investment (ROI) is higher when using digital billboards than traditional billboards.
According to the Out of Home Advertising Association of America(OOHAA), out-of-home advertising-including digital billboards-can help businesses realize a 497% ROI in terms of revenue.
If your LED billboard has limited visibility, it will have a heavy impact on whether or not it will generate leads or sales. Choose an area with no visible interference and ensure the digital billboard is front-facing. Most importantly, ensure the billboard is placed at a readable height.
Research and discover local authority traffic profiles. You can then use the traffic data to know where heavy foot or motor traffic is and maximize the space for your digital billboard advertising.
An essential part of marketing is understanding your audience. It is vital that you convey the right message to the right people. Once you properly understand your audience demographics such as gender, age, education, marital status, or average income, you can consider a location relevant to them.
Choosing a local ad placement is a logical decision if you want to attract clients to your place of business. If your business relies on local customers, putting up a digital billboard 50 miles away wouldn't make sense.
In 2023, FIBA once again partnered with Unilumin Sport to enhance the basketball experience through its UsportX LED products. The tournament games were in various locations: the Philippine Arena, Araneta Coliseum, and Mall of Asia; Indonesia Arena in Indonesia; and Okinawa Arena in Japan. Every basketball enthusiast enjoyed Unilumin's state-of-the-art LED displays at the venues and home. The UsportX technology ensured high-resolution images throughout the world tournament. The LED displays had optimal viewing angles for spectators regardless of their location. Unilumin did an excellent job to market basketball while setting the bar for other events to follow though in future.
Unilumin's UsportX series LED displays showed exceptional performance during the clash among the best European basketball teams in 2022. Like any other global gathering, many companies purchased rights for some exposure. The event was generally a success, as the sponsors completed an excellent chain of marketing for organizational value.
The UsportX series ensured seamless transitions between live game action shots, replay, and promotional segments. Although there was only one event, the ratings revealed steady viewer attention throughout the occasion. The flexibility of the LED technology enabled users to receive quick updates about the games within the building. The ability to adapt on-air helped advertisers provide a more entertaining experience for the fans. These features placed Unilumin in a prime position among a highly competitive market scene. Overall, the event was considered high quality and many other similar events will most likely want to associate with the experience.
