The Future of Digital Signage: Top 10 Digital Signage Industry Trends for 2024

With less than a month left in 2023, December is the perfect time to reflect on this year's developments and discuss how the digital signage industry will continue to change. Today's article is a breakdown of the top ten digital signage industry trends that will define the future of the industry. By the time you finish reading this article, you will gain useful insights that can help enhance your advertising strategies and digital presence in the upcoming year.

What are the digital signage industry trends to watch out for in 2024? 

There is no denying that the digital signage industry has been experiencing a significant boom for a while now. With projections outlining an 8% CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) by 2030, the demand for digitised content and services will only continue to grow. 

The following represents a list of the most likely trends that will positively influence the adoption of digital signage solutions. Choosing which ones to incorporate in your future business strategy depends entirely on your goals with digital signage. Nonetheless, some of the trends mentioned are easier and less expensive to adopt than others. 

1. The Shift towards Cloud-Based Digital Signage Solutions

2023 was the year more and more businesses switched to the cloud and the digital signage industry makes no exception. Cloud-based digital signage is an innovative way to display information, create content and expand your audience reach. Choosing this instead of licence-based digital signage can be a game-changer because it eliminates the hassle of managing servers or performing tasks that require technical expertise without compromising your cybersecurity. 

There is no shortage of cloud-based digital signage solutions on the market, but for now, we will focus on what MagicINFO Cloud brings to the table: 

Reduced Operational Costs 

One of the best things about MagicINFO is that you will end up spending less money on your digital signage infrastructure because you no longer need external players. MagicINFO has its own built-in player. 

User-friendly Content Management System 

Create and customise templates with your branding. Repurpose these templates to create content in your style. Easily schedule and switch between content.

Easily Scalable

It has never been easier to scale up your digital signage infrastructure. Whether you want to add more screens or a new location, MagicINFO Cloud is the perfect solution for this. 

Enhanced Security 

Use advanced security features such as 2FA to ensure the security of your environment. Restrict user access and create custom roles. 

The transition to cloud-based digital signage is only going to accelerate in the upcoming year. Jumping on the cloud trend could be the best decision you can make for your business if you are looking for a solution to streamline your digital communication and establish a cohesive, user-friendly environment without compromising on security or exceeding your budget. 

2. The Rise of 4K and 8K Displays

Another trend that will only continue to grow in the future is the demand for 4K and 8K displays. These types of screens are truly a wonder as they offer super high definition, detail and clarity, making your content look sharper and more eye-catching than ever. 

There are a lot of different things to consider when buying digital signage hardware. If you are feeling lost, we have prepared a digital signage hardware guide to help you better understand all the things that you need to know about this topic. 

When taking into account the benefits these displays have, it is no surprise the demand for these kinds of screens will only increase in 2024. As technology keeps on evolving, things like image quality will make a difference and those businesses with newer hardware will reap more benefits than others. 

Source: Markets and Markets 

3. Systems-on-Chip Displays Take Centre Stage

When considering the overall costs of a digital signage project, opting for SoC displays could make a difference because you no longer need to buy external players. Moreover, less hardware means your installation will look and feel more modern. 

No longer do you need to worry about hiding the cables which are connecting your displays to the corresponding players. Now you can sit back and enjoy a seamless installation process. 

It comes as no surprise that in 2024 the demand for SoC displays will only continue to increase. We can expect these types of displays to become the industry standard, effectively transforming the way your audience experiences the content shown on these screens. 

4. Retail, Entertainment and Sports Lead the Way 

As said before, more and more businesses are adopting digital signage solutions due to their countless benefits. So far, most of these businesses belong to the retail, entertainment and sports sectors where this technology is used to effectively target customers, improving the customer experience and driving sales. 

However, this does not mean that digital signage has no benefits for other sectors. The near future will bring more mixed uses of digital signage as businesses specialising in healthcare, education and corporate join the digital signage wave. Some of the ways they could make use of this technology include displaying content to reduce the waiting time in hospitals, keeping students and staff informed with the latest updates, incorporating it as a wayfinding solution, and many more uses. 

5. Integration of Cutting-Edge Technologies

Combining digital signage with novel technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR) and the Internet of Things (IoT) was another defining trend for 2023. Without going into too much detail about the way these technologies can be used in combination with digital signage, one thing is sure: when done right, they can help you get your message across more effectively, and target audiences in a more personalised manner. Most of all, these technologies can make people feel more in control of the interaction while at the same time feeling like your business truly understands their needs. 

It is important to note that while these are big ideas that will change the world of digital signage, they are still to become the norm. In 2024 we will keep seeing these technologies incorporated alongside digital signage solutions, especially because more collaborations, partnerships and product launches are constantly developed. 

6. The Growth of Digital Signage Kiosk Displays and Custom Applications

Digital signage kiosk displays and custom applications have seen immense growth in recent years. These standalone, interactive displays offer a more personalised, engaging and efficient way for businesses to communicate with their customers. So far, these types of screens have been successfully used by restaurants and retailers to create self-service custom applications which allow people more freedom and control over their customer journey.  For example, this technology was used alongside MagicINFO by Schutrups to innovate their retail experience.

Next year we can expect to see more businesses embracing digital signage kiosk displays and investing in custom applications that cater to their specific needs and goals. This trend reflects the industry's shift towards more personalised, contextually relevant and customer-centric communication strategies.

7. A Greater Focus on Sustainability

Sustainability was a significant focus for businesses in 2023, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. Businesses are increasingly looking for digital signage solutions that are not only effective and engaging but also environmentally friendly. 

A perfect example of how any business can join this trend is by learning how to best use its digital signage software. If you are using Samsung Remote Management and MagicINFO, you are already making great progress in your journey to sustainability because you can control your displays from a distance. This reduces the time, money and energy you spend travelling to every place where your displays are located, in turn reducing the overall CO2 emissions. 

From energy-efficient displays created with sustainable materials to cloud-based solutions that reduce hardware waste, the industry is only going to continue focusing on the sustainability of digital signage in 2024. 

8. Enhanced Personalisation and Interactivity

In 2023, digital signage moved beyond one-way communication, focusing more on personalisation and interactivity. Businesses are now leveraging digital signage to create more engaging, interactive and personalised experiences. 

As mentioned before, when discussing the growing need for kiosk displays and custom applications, digital signage is a great tool for enhancing interactivity. For instance, it is now more common to see social media feeds integrated into digital signage solutions. Customers can create and post content using a certain hashtag. This will be picked up by your display using RSS feeds and shown in real time on the screen. 

With advancements in technology, like AI and AR and the integration of social media and mobile technologies, digital signage is becoming a platform for two-way interaction. This trend is set to continue in the coming year, with more businesses using digital signage to engage with their customers in more meaningful and personalised ways.

9. Outdoors Digital Signage Growth

The use of digital signage in outdoor settings saw significant growth in 2023 and this trend is set to continue. From large-scale digital billboards to interactive outdoor kiosks, businesses are leveraging digital signage to engage with their customers in high-traffic outdoor settings. 

HYGH, an innovative digital agency based in Germany, demonstrates how businesses can effectively utilise technology outdoors by showcasing digital content.

As we move into 2024, we can expect to see more innovative and creative uses of outdoor digital signage, driven by the ongoing advancements in display technology and content management systems.

 10. The Importance of Reliable and Secure Data for Cloud Signage Software

Data security has become a critical concern in recent years, particularly when considering the shift towards cloud-based digital signage solutions. As businesses store and manage more data in the cloud, ensuring the reliability and security of this data is paramount. Digital signage solutions have now adapted to this concern by adding extra layers of security such as Two Factor Authentication (2FA) and by allowing businesses to have more control over who gets access to what in their environments. 

In 2024, data security will continue to be a key priority for businesses investing in digital signage solutions. This highlights the importance of choosing a digital signage provider that has a strong record of prioritising data security and compliance.

Conclusion

The future of digital signage is looking bright as we move towards 2024. From cloud-based solutions to the integration of cutting-edge technologies, the digital signage industry is poised for another year of innovation and growth.  As businesses continue to realise the immense potential of digital signage, we can expect to see more creative and effective uses of this powerful communication medium in the year ahead.

Digital signage will continue to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of businesses and their customers. The ten digital signage future trends highlighted in this article provide a glimpse into what we can expect in 2024, but the possibilities are truly endless.

Whether you have experience using digital signage or are new to the concept and contemplating an investment, keeping up with these trends can assist you in making well-informed decisions and optimising the effectiveness of your digital signage endeavours.