As COVID-19 continues to impact how businesses do business, many people are looking at tools to help make the transition easier. For example, many retailers are looking for ways to enforce capacity and social distancing requirements without allocating precious employee time.

Digital signage can help provide solutions to both monitor customer movement and ensure social distancing. But, digital signage can be an expensive investment, especially during times of slow economic growth like now.

That being said, there are a few ways you, as an end user, can save some cash on digital signage if you decide to deploy it.

Determine your hardware minimum

What I mean by hardware minimum is you need to consider carefully what type of hardware you actually need to get your message across. What is the simplest and cheapest equipment you can use?

For example, if you are just looking to showcase your latest promotions and advertisements, do you need a 4K video wall or a simple LCD display? Do you need a robust media player or a USB thumb drive to deliver content?

I'm not saying you need to purchase the cheapest equipment out there, but rather you need to determine what your requirements are and what your negotiables are. For example, your requirements might be that you need a display that can deliver three pieces of content 24/7 and your negotiables would be the overall screen resolution and size.

Be careful in the planning stage to not get requirements and negotiables mixed up, and make sure to talk carefully with your vendor about hidden costs such as repairs and warranties.

Take advantage of apps

When it comes to digital signage software, it is easier than ever to integrate complex features, such as social media feeds, analytics, content triggers and other features, thanks to many digital signage apps out there. And the best part is, most of these apps are pretty inexpensive.

For example, many apps will feature digital signage content templates, which will help you easily craft content that looks good on any screen.

Some companies also offer free apps or trial versions that you can use. That way you can see if the app is right for you before you make a purchase.

The final word

When it comes to saving money, there are many more tips I could give, such as comparing hardware offerings, purchasing upgrade plans to save money down the road, and other options. However, most of these tips boil down to one key principle: Do your research.

When you clearly research what your needs are and what the market can provide, you will have a leg up and won't outrun your budget as easily. Your goal, after all, should be to communicate your message clearly with digital signage, not add every bell and whistle.

This article was written by Bradley Cooper from Digital Signage Today. News Features and was legally licensed through the Industry Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.