There are certain use cases for self-service kiosks that have already become standard. Cashier-less checkouts in stores, for example. Or ordering points in fast food restaurants.
But kiosk technology isn’t easily pigeonholed. Over the years, it’s been proven again and again that one of its great strengths is flexibility. What you can use a kiosk for seems to be limited only by the human imagination.
Flexibility is also great for maximizing the value you get from kiosks. Why settle for just running it as an unattended POS point when you can get so much more out of it? With a little creative thinking, you can give your customers a richer, more engaging experience through your kiosks. And get the benefits back in engagement and customer satisfaction.
Here are some ideas to fire your imagination.
Information Hubs
Kiosks make great information points, and are already widely used for that purpose in places like transport hubs, municipal buildings, hospitals, tourist attractions and at large-scale events. But the fit between kiosk technology and dispensing information is so natural that any kiosk, whatever other uses it is put to, can easily be deployed to inform and advise as well. When it comes down to it, all you have to do is connect a kiosk to the internet and/or a CMS to run through the content you want to share, just as you would with a website.
But what do you have to inform your customers about? You could focus on your company, brand or market sector. Modern consumers are curious, they’re used to having the internet to look up anything and everything they want. It makes sense to give them this experience even when they are visiting your premises. It’s especially powerful around areas like corporate social responsibility and sustainability, where people are demanding full disclosure from businesses about how they are making a positive difference.
Alternatively, (or why not as well?), you could use your kiosk infrastructure to provide a service as a community information hub, connecting to local authorities, media, community groups and fellow businesses to provide a convenient touchpoint for what’s going on in the area.
Gaming and Entertainment
Did you know that one in four consumers say they want to be entertained as they shop? This is a carry over from eCommerce, where digital customers are used to being bombarded with video, interactive games, social media links and more as the shop.
Kiosks are a great way to carry this into brick-and-mortar premises. With a touchscreen and an internet connection, anything is possible. You can make branded YouTube clips available at the touch of a button. Or give customers the option of playing a quick game while they wait.
Digital media is also great for presenting useful information in fun ways. So the information hub and entertainment sides can go hand in hand. Videos are great for this again. Or, thinking futuristically, you could have AI avatars taking customers on interactive virtual tours of your business, answering questions and letting users focus on things they most want to learn about.
Thinking a little further ahead again, what about VR headsets that allow customers to step into an immersive virtual world?
If you’re interested in learning more about how to get the most value from kiosks in your business, why not contact our experienced and friendly team to find out how we can help you.