Upgrade to Engaging, Effective Onsite Messaging with Visually Impactful Digital Signage 

By Tim Fitzpatrick, Territory Sales Manager/Equipment, Howco Inc. 

First impressions are crucial, and parting ones can leave a lasting imprint. Car wash operators should consider the many advantages that digital signage offers for engaging, informing, and marketing to customers in a visually impactful way. 

1. Dynamic Advertising: Digital signs provide the flexibility to showcase dynamic content such as current wash prices, wash club and other promotional offers, mobile phone apps, new services or equipment, gift cards, relevant artwork and logos, or upcoming special or charitable events. This allows car wash owners to easily update and customize their messaging to attract and educate customers and promote their business effectively. Some digital sign options allow operators to instantly change messaging from their smartphones. 
2. ​​​Enhanced Visibility: Bright and vivid digital displays help capture the attention of passing motorists, increasing the visibility of the car wash and drawing in potential customers who may not notice a static sign. Outdoor​​ signs that are bright during daylight hours may be adjusted to dim at night to reduce glare. 
3. Expanded Recall: Studies show that digital signage has an astounding recall rate of 83%, nearly double the retention rate of traditional advertising. 
4. Interactive Features: Some digital signs incorporate interactive elements such as touchscreens or QR codes, allowing customers to engage directly with the content and access additional information about services or promotions. 
5. Cost Savings: While the initial investment in digital signage may be higher than traditional signage, digital signs can ultimately lead to cost savings over time by eliminating the need to print and install new signage whenever updates or changes are required. 
6. Targeted Messaging: Digital signs enable car wash owners to target specific demographics or customer segments by tailoring their messaging based on factors such as time of day, weather conditions, or nearby events. This targeted approach can help increase the effectiveness of marketing efforts and drive more traffic to the car wash. 
7. Increased Revenue Opportunities: Digital signs can serve as an additional revenue stream by allowing car wash owners to sell advertising space to other local businesses or promote upsells and add-on services to customers while they wait for their vehicles to be washed. 
8. Improved Customer Experience: Interactive digital signage can provide customers with useful information, such as wait times, service options, maintenance tips, or special events, enhancing their overall experience and satisfaction with the car wash. 
9. Environmental Benefits: By reducing the need for printed materials, digital signs can help minimize waste and lower the environmental impact associated with traditional signage production and disposal. 
10. Low Maintenance: Digital signs require little to no maintenance, and some are equipped with internal temperature control to maintain a constant temperature that best suits the electronics of the sign for a longer life. 

Digital signs offer car wash owners a versatile and effective tool for marketing their services, engaging with customers, and enhancing the overall experience at their facilities. In addition to using digital marquees and menu boards to draw customers into the wash and provide service and sales information, some operators even place digital signs at the tunnel exit, leaving the customer with final positive messaging. 

Howco offers digital signage from multiple manufacturers and would be happy to consult with you to determine the best fit for your wash operation and layout.