A kiosk is a small digital display that businesses place in high traffic areas to offer information or self-service options. It often includes an interactive display screen.
Kiosks are a great way to increase customer satisfaction and store functionality in today’s fast-paced world. We will be discussing the various types of kiosks and how they can help your business. Also, we will show you how real companies have implemented kiosks in their business operations.
You need to manage your business in a self-service way, but your customers are not IT savvy. You want to use technology to solve your problems, but you don’t have the budget for it.
Use our kiosks to provide information and services to your customers at their fingertips!
Types of Kiosks
In the past, kiosks were limited to digital directories found in big-box stores and malls. There are many types of kiosks available today. You can choose the type that will best serve your business. Each one offers something different, but there are generally two categories: interactive and non-interactive.
1. Interactive Kiosks
Interactive kiosks allow customers to interact with them and they aren’t static. Interactive kiosks are used by many business types, such as restaurants, retailers, service businesses, and destinations such as malls and airports. Interactive kiosks are useful for customers who need assistance with navigation and wayfinding, self-service ordering, check-in, purchasing, and even internet access.
2. Wayfinding Kiosks
This type of kiosk is, as we said earlier, often what people associate with a kiosk. Wayfinding kiosks are a way for customers to find their way around your space. They include maps, directories, and directional displays.
Wayfinding kiosks were once static. Today, you can find them with touch-screen features that shoppers can use for navigation and to explore the map. Most often, wayfinding kiosks can be found in big box stores and malls where customers may get lost, lose their orientation, or find it difficult to find what they need.
Wayfinding kiosks make it easy for customers to navigate your space and give them the tools they need to locate anything. (Source: MediaTile)
3. Self-service Kiosks
Self-service kiosks are another popular type of interactive kiosk. This kiosk allows customers to shop independently without the need to wait for a sales associate or recruit. Customers are increasingly choosing this option because it reduces wait times and allows them to control their shopping experience. This can also help you increase your sales.
According to The Insight Partner, self-service kiosk revenue is increasing rapidly year over year. It is expected to reach $14 billion by 2022, an increase of less than $10 billion in 2017.
Self-service kiosks can be found in many industries including restaurants, hotels and grocery stores.
4. Shoppable Kiosks
Shoppable kiosks, or kiosks customers can use to browse merchandise or make purchases, are the next type of interactive kiosk that we will be looking at. There are generally two types of shoppable kiosks available: product catalog kiosks and vending kiosks.
5. Internet Kiosks
Internet kiosks are digital displays that provide internet access to the public. They are not designed to drive sales, but to enhance customer experience. These kiosks can be found in hotels, airports, apartment offices, or other hospitality establishments. Apart from a keyboard, monitor, and mouse, some internet kiosks can also be equipped with bill pay and credit card swipe capabilities.