“Great, but does this thing actually work?” You may have asked yourself once you’ve set up your screens and followed every step to the letter. And, honestly, it’s the right question to ask. Because, here’s the tricky part; even when your content is impressive and your playlists are scheduled to the second, “working” in digital signage goes way beyond a screen being powered on and playing content. It means engaging customers, sharing information, promoting products, or enhancing communication – that is, serving its purpose and helping your business grow.
Disclaimer: This is not a step-by-step guide to making sure your digital signage technically works – we’re letting the support teams handle this for now. Continue reading and you’ll leave this one with 5 signs your digital signage is actually doing its job, and what to keep an eye on.
Your digital signage health check
1. People are looking and reacting
Attention is your first and most obvious sign. If your digital signage is sparking curiosity or triggering a reaction (a laugh, a selfie, or a stop-and-stare), you’re definitely on the right track. Even subtle changes in foot traffic patterns or dwell time near your screen can signal success.
What to check:
- Are people stopping to read or watch?
- Are employees or customers referencing what they saw on screen?
- Have you noticed increased engagement in promoted products or services?
2. Your content feels relevant
Top-notch digital signage never feels outdated or random. We’re talking real-time data dashboard in an office or a last-minute flash sale in a retail store, meaning that good signage adapts to context.
If your screen content looks like it belongs in the moment, it’s working.
What to check:
- Is your content calendar aligned with seasons, events, or campaigns?
- Are you using eye-catching or data-driven content (weather, traffic, social media feeds)?
- Do your messages change often enough to keep regular viewers interested?
3. It’s triggering action
Your digital signage isn’t meant to just be aesthetically pleasing. If it’s not leading people to do something, e.g. buy, click, scan, sign up, show up, it’s just a digital wallpaper.
What to check:
- Are QR codes being scanned?
- Are promoted items selling more?
- Have event sign-ups, website visits, or downloads increased after a campaign?
4. The system runs smoothly
No surprises here; your digital signage should literally work. Glitches, black screens, or last week’s content on loop is a sign something’s not right, not just technically, but in your process.
What to check:
- Are updates rolling out as scheduled?
- Are screens syncing content in real time?
- Is someone alerted when something goes wrong?
Remote management, auto-restart features, and status dashboards make all the difference in keeping things running like clockwork.
5. It reflects your long-term goals
Your digital signage should be part of your communication, marketing, or operations strategy. When it aligns with your goals, it becomes a powerful tool that helps you achieve them.
What to check:
- Are you using it in a way that supports your brand values?
- Is it reducing friction for customers or teams?
- Does it feel like a strategic tool, not just a visual one?
If you’re a Yodeck user, make sure to check out the Yodeck Academy. You’ll find a vast library of best practices and educational content that’s completely free to use.
The right questions asked
Effortless setup and ease of use are things we pride ourselves on, at Yodeck. But digital signage doesn’t stop there. It needs a bit of creativity and testing to thrive. So, do ask yourself:
- Is it working towards my long-term goals?
- What could be working better?
- Is something missing?
Once you start asking the right questions, it’s only a matter of time before you make digital signage work for you and your business in the best way possible.
Care to learn more tips and tricks on making an impact with digital signage? Head to our blog.
To learn more about Yodeck, the first and only intelligent digital signage platform, just visit this page.