FAQs on cheap signage vs a true digital signage partner
Buying digital signage? Don’t be fooled by cheap upfront pricing. Many low-cost solutions create hidden costs, technical headaches, and poor ROI. This FAQ explains the biggest pitfalls of budget digital signage and why full-service options like TouchSource help property managers save time, money, and stress.
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Why is cheap digital signage often a bad investment?
Low-cost signage may seem appealing, but it often leads to hidden expenses, equipment failures, poor software, and limited support. What looks like a deal can quickly become a costly headache.
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What are the most common pitfalls of cheap digital signage?
- Surprise charges & add-ons after purchase
- Consumer-grade equipment that fails under 24/7 operation
- Outdated or clunky software lacking enterprise features and security
- DIY complexity that burdens your team
- Poor graphics that hurt your brand and ADA compliance
- Limited or no support when issues arise
- No path to ROI through advertising or lead capture
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How is TouchSource different?
We deliver full-service digital signage solutions—not just screens:
- Professional design for polished, on-brand content. We do the design, you edit it anytime, anywhere
- Spark PX™ digital signage software with intuitive content management with easy multi-display management
- Engineered enclosures tested for real-world performance and low maintenance
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees and unlimited remote support
- U.S.-based expert support from industry leaders with over 40 years of experience
- Turnkey installation to simplify deployment
- Monetization features to drive ROI and improve leasing programs
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Why do property managers choose full-service over DIY?
Most property teams don’t have time to design content, manage DIY software, or troubleshoot multiple vendor systems. Our turnkey approach frees you to focus on tenants and operations—while we handle your signage end-to-end.
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What makes TouchSource design and software better?
- Professional designers create on-brand, ADA-compliant content. No need to master unfamiliar design tools or templates.
- Modern digital signage software is easy, intuitive and supports advanced digital content features across your entire digital signage network. Features designed specifically for property manage
ment needs make it easy to serve visitors and tenants. - Proprietary hardware engineering so that your investment stands the test of time and heavy usage. From the way we create tamper-proof enclosures to the wind sheer testing we put outdoor kiosks through—our products are designed for durability.
- Built-in ADA-compliance features are embedded into how our software is designed, the fonts and color contrasts we use, and our installation recommendations. Our R&D team is continually reviewing ADA and adapting our technologies and designs to natively address policy changes.
- Unlimited remote support with your subscription. Our US-based support team’s hours span across time zones. And our support experience for Retailers adapts to their unique hours and peak shopping seasons.
- Proactively-monitored uptime is available as an added service for mission-critical locations.
- Innovation is in our DNA. While many copy our content and or use AI to forge pictures of what they “might” be able to do, we’ve done it or invented it. For the past 40 years, we’ve innovated new designs, software, hardware, professional services and more to harness new technologies to meet customer needs. Small mom-and-pop vendors don’t have the expertise and bench strength that we bring to our clients.
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How reliable is TouchSource hardware?
- Engineered for 24/7 use with indoor and outdoor options. Outdoor options built for extreme environments (heat, cold, humidity) with proven performance.
- Built for ADA compliance and tamper resistance
- Designed and supported in the U.S.
- What type of support does TouchSource provide?
- U.S.-based expert support from installation through daily use
- No bouncing between hardware and software vendors—we handle it all
- Fast response when issues arise
- Is TouchSource pricing transparent?
Yes. Our proposals include all hardware, software, design, and updates. No surprise fees, no hidden costs, and no penalties for late payments. We believe in honest business practices and mutual trust.
- Can digital signage drive ROI?
Yes. TouchSource signage can:
- Reduce the costs of physical signage, unsightly paper posters and placards with frozen-in-time messaging
- Improve the time-to-lease with leasing experience tours
- Enable programmatic advertising
- Help offset costs and create revenue opportunities with integrated programmatic advertising
Many budget solutions don’t include these features—leaving ROI on the table.
- What are some real-world success stories?
- Circle Centre Mall (JLL Retail): Upgraded non-functional kiosks and enhanced marketing capabilities.
- CareMount Medical: Installed 33 digital directories to improve patient navigation.
- Anchor Health Properties: Reduced tenant disruptions and improved patient experience through better wayfinding.
- See many other projects on our Resource Page
- How do I get started?
Contact TouchSource today for a personalized demo. We’ll help you