How to Plan Your Outdoor Digital Signage Kiosk (2024)

5 Common Questions to Ask When Planning Your Outdoor Digital Signage Kiosk

Are you considering an outdoor digital signage kiosk for your property?

An outdoor digital signage kiosk unit has unique needs, being outside and separate from main building infrastructure. There are some important hurdles to clear before you can start planning content options (a.k.a. the “fun stuff”). You don’t want to embark on a project and then after months worth of meetings and quote revisions, learn a critical piece of information that stops your project in its tracks.

The Fine Print About Installing an Outdoor Digital Signage Kiosk

If you’re considering adding an outdoor digital signage kiosk on your property or campus, you should be as prepared as you can be. Although it might seem like a simple project, there are some unique needs – and hurdles – you should know.

So TouchSource is here to help. In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of 5 essential questions (and answers!) that you should ask when planning your outdoor kiosk digital signage project.

1. Is the site of my future outdoor digital signage kiosk set up for power and internet?

Before anything else, you need to make sure that any outdoor digital signage kiosk has sufficient power and internet.

While indoor digital signage units can pretty easily connect to an outlet or extension cord, the process is more complicated for outdoor units. Power and internet cables typically run underground. The same goes for internet cables like fiber lines, which are essential to run “live” to-the-minute feeds like news, traffic or transit schedules. So you may need to hire out to tear up existing concrete slabs or tile pavers to set up the necessary cables.

Wireless internet is an option, but it may not always be reliable. It’s best to use a hardwired connection to ensure everything runs smoothly with and so you can maximize uptime. Before starting your project, consult with a construction company or contractor to estimate your options.

2. Can an outdoor digital kiosk stand up to the elements?

An outdoor digital signage kiosk is exposed to the forces of nature, so it’s important to make sure that yours is properly weatherproofed.

At TouchSource, our kiosk digital signage units can withstand harsh winds, snowstorms, hail, extreme heat, and rain and humidity. We use weatherproof paints and powder coats, more ventilation and washable metal filters. Each unit has water mitigation channels to prevent pooling and rust buildup. This is important for outdoor digital kiosks operating in coastal areas or locations with lots of moisture. Our commercial-grade hardware helps the kiosk perform well even in extreme heat or freezing temperatures.

3. Will content on my outdoor digital kiosk be easily readable?

An outdoor digital kiosk has different levels of brightness compared to indoor units. This is so their screens will be readable in nearly any amount of sunlight. The screen of your outdoor digital signage kiosk needs to be 5x higher than any indoor commercial display—rated at 2,500 Nits!

4. Can I protect my outdoor digital signage kiosk from theft or vandalism?

You may wonder if your digital signage kiosk investment will be safe outside. With an outdoor digital kiosk, there can be a higher risk of theft and vandalism being outdoors 24/7 and without the protection of locked doors, security guard or badge access. The good news? You can still protect your kiosk digital signage from harm.

Make sure your kiosk enclosure has security measures already built in, such as robust lock cylinders. This way, you can rest easily knowing your assets are safe.

5. How can I ensure my outdoor digital kiosk is installed properly?

Proper installation is crucial to ensure that your outdoor digital kiosk is safe and secure.

Doing so should help prevent the risk of tipping over. You’ll want to get a professional engineering analysis on the foundation and installation method. Then, get it approved by local officials.

Consult with local experts to identify all the necessary permits you will need (you can find information through the local city government). This will help ensure no codes or regulations are violated.

Planning Checklist

Now that we’ve answered some key questions about outdoor digital signage kiosk considerations, let’s help you plan your project.

Download our Kiosk Project Readiness Checklist to help you kick things off.

In Conclusion

Outdoor digital signage can offer serious value to your organization. With an outdoor digital signage kiosk, you’re bound to increase foot traffic, usage, visibility, and customer interactivity. Proper planning and budgeting for these items will lead to a much better experience from conception to implementation. Knowing what questions to ask and what to look for will help you plan a successful project from start to finish.

Need help scoping your kiosk project? Request a quote and one of our TouchSource experts will schedule a consultation.