Digital Signage for Your Business: A Practical Guide

Digital signage is everywhere — restaurant menu boards, lobby directories, retail promotions, office dashboards. If you're a business owner in Hampton Roads thinking about it, here's what you need to know.

What Is Digital Signage?

It's a screen (or network of screens) that displays content you control — menus, promotions, wayfinding, announcements, or any information that changes over time. Unlike a printed sign, you update it remotely whenever you want.

Who Benefits Most?

Restaurants and Cafes

Digital menu boards are easier to update than printed menus. Change prices, add seasonal items, or feature daily specials without reprinting anything. They also look more professional and catch attention better than static boards.

Retail Stores

Promote sales, highlight new products, or display social media feeds. Screens near the entrance or at the point of sale are the highest-impact placements.

Medical Offices and Clinics

Display wait times, health tips, and wayfinding information. Keeps patients informed and reduces perceived wait times in waiting areas.

Office Lobbies

Welcome visitors, show company news, or display meeting room schedules. Gives a modern, professional first impression.

Hotels and Hospitality

Event schedules, local attractions, check-in information. Virginia Beach and Norfolk's hospitality businesses use these heavily.

What You Need

A basic digital signage setup has three parts:

1. Display — a commercial-grade screen designed for extended use (consumer TVs can work for lighter use)
2. Media player — a small device that connects to the screen and runs your content (sometimes built into the display)
3. Content management software — the platform where you create and schedule what shows on screen

Commercial vs. Consumer Displays

You can use a regular TV, but commercial displays are built for signage:

• Designed for 16+ hours/day operation — consumer TVs aren't rated for that
• Brighter screens — readable even in sunlit lobbies or storefronts
• No home screen or pop-ups — boots straight to your content
• Landscape or portrait orientation — consumer TVs aren't always designed to run vertically
• Longer warranties — typically 3 years vs. 1 year

For a screen that runs 8+ hours daily in a visible location, commercial is worth the investment. For a break room or back office, a consumer TV is fine.

What It Costs

A single-screen setup typically runs:

• Display: $500–$2,500 depending on size and commercial vs. consumer
• Media player: $100–$500 (or built into the display)
• Software: $10–$50/month per screen depending on the platform
• Installation: $200–$650 including mounting, cabling, and configuration

We can provide the full package or work with equipment you've already purchased.

How We Help

At EHI, we handle the full process:

• Consultation — we assess your space and recommend screen sizes, placements, and equipment
• Supply — commercial displays from our manufacturer partners at competitive pricing
• Installation — professional mounting, cable concealment, and network setup
• Configuration — content management software setup and training for your staff

We've installed digital signage for businesses across Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and the rest of Hampton Roads.

Ready to explore digital signage for your business? Contact us or call (757) 640-0243.