How much does digital signage actually cost?
Short answer: The following are the costs associated with one digital signage screen (these accumulate as you purchase more): £16 per month for the Software Licence, an upfront cost of £185 for the Media Player and the upfront cost of the screen monitor.
*ex VAT
It’s true that digital screens used to be the domain of large corporations with huge marketing budgets. It was one of the many advantages national retailers had over independent shops. But today, things have changed. Screens are more affordable than ever. The PCs that power them, known as “Micro PCs,” are now compact and budget-friendly, and software fees have dropped significantly too.
How much do digital signage screens cost?
Let’s start with the screens. The largest cost associated with digital signage is usually considered to be the initial investment in digital signage hardware itself. Luckily, just like the TV in your living room, the cost of screens has dropped dramatically in recent years. Thanks to advances in technology, you can now get a £250 screen that outperforms models that cost over £1000 a decade ago. By pairing a screen with an external media player, any TV screen can be turned into a dynamic digital sign.
That means a normal TV plus a media player (RRP £185) can be purchased for around £400 in total.
Alternatively, if your office, school or store already has a TV screen lying around, you can bring new life into your old hardware by connecting it to a media player and repurposing it. This is a great cost-saving exercise, allowing you to find a purpose for unused tech and giving you a chance to get started with digital signage for a low cost.
Factors That Can Affect Digital Signage Prices
The specific type of screen and use case you have in mind will affect your overall costs and dictate which features you need from your displays, such as menus or digital wayfinding. You may wish to expand your screens and create a network of digital signage across multiple sites and departments.
When it comes to screen pricing, the primary determinant is size. Small displays can be more affordable, whereas the investment required for larger video wall displays that require multiple screen installations can quickly grow.
Another factor to consider is the difference in quality between commercial and consumer hardware. Commercial equipment needs to support high brightness nearly all the time, unlike consumer displays that aren’t built to run continuously for days on end.
Third, the specific type of mount or support you want will also impact pricing. A display for a menu will include a robust stand, while an LED video advertising screen will need available wall space. You’ll also need a media player and software that offers the reliability and features you need to play your video advertising, whether that’s USB or built-in Google and Android functionality.
Lastly, installation can involve certain costs as well. Cable management services aren’t free, and the initial installation or larger upgrades to the site may require downtime or site closures. Investing time and money into the setup ensures the digital signage is safely anchored.
Ongoing Costs for Digital Signage
There are certain ongoing costs associated with digital signage, such as cloud software delivery, an extended warranty or insurance policy, and other costs you’ll have to pay annually.
As such, you must make sure that you choose a solution that works with Google and Android, USB media players, or whatever other hardware features you have in place. Also, identifying whether it supports touch screens is essential, especially when you need to use touch displays, such as menus.
What if I want to buy a commercial digital signage display?
While you are more than welcome to use a regular TV to save yourself some money, in some instances, you might wish to invest in a commercial-grade digital signage display. There are two main differences worth noting over a standard TV unit:
- Commercial-grade screens are designed to be used 24/7 or 16/7 which means they are more durable over time. You won’t ever have to worry about screen burn-in, which might affect some older TV sets
- Commercial-grade screens come in a range of brightness levels (often referred to as High Bright Displays). These can range between 2x and 10x as bright as a normal television – crucial in bright environments, such as window displays exposed to sunlight
The good news is that even specialist signage displays are affordable. For instance, our most popular 43″ High Brightness Display currently retails at £499. Get in contact to ask us about our screen pricing and stocklist.
Having discussed the hardware costs associated with digital signage, we are left to address other costs, such as software and support. While you might assume a specialist piece of software will cost you an arm and a leg, you will be pleasantly surprised to know the numbers.
The first thing to note about software pricing is that most signage companies operate on a subscription model per device. Each device requires a software license, which warrants a monthly fee for each device.
The second thing to check is what this fee includes. You will find a wide range of package types. On the cheaper end of the spectrum, you will get access to the software, but may not have access to important features, such as support and training. Make sure to ask for transparency from your supplier to ensure you have access to the features your business needs.
Solutions for Every Digital Signage Need
At TrouDigital, we offer a range of digital signage pricing to suit organisations and projects of all shapes and sizes. Our software licenses start at £16 per screen/mo, and are discounted further as your network size and amount of licenses grows.
Going digital doesn’t have to break the bank! You can find out more information on our pricing packages here, or get in touch with a digital signage expert today and discuss your project by clicking the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our team is more than ready to provide key information and answer any questions you have regarding the TrouDigital Digital Signage Solution. Below are just some FAQ’s we receive from customers looking for details about digital signage, along with the answers:
What Factors Affect The Cost of Digital Signage?
Digital signage can vary widely in price based on a variety of factors. These factors include the amount of hardware needed, the cost of delivery and installation, access to the digital signage software, maintenance plans, content creation and value-added tax (VAT)
At TrouDigital, our range of packages covers most of these aspects. However, if you are looking for more information, it’s best to see a full breakdown of the cost for your display screens. Asking ahead of time is free, so take advantage of that.
What Are the Hidden Costs of Digital Signage?
It’s essential not to overlook the taxes associated with purchasing digital signage, such as VAT or import duty. Furthermore, if you do not have a designer internally, you may need to pay someone to create the graphic design, video, and other content for your screen. IT help is also key, but it can come at a high cost if you need someone to always be available. The TrouDigital team can offer support to help you choose the right package for your digital signage needs.
