Digital Signage Displays: How to Choose the Perfect Screen for Your Business

In the present day, the marketplace that is fundamentally experience-driven has come to pit every brand against each other not only in terms of securing attention but also creating engagement as the ultimate goal. Gradually, the customer base that is more visually inclined has led to digital signage as the display to be one of the most effective means for communicating real-time updates, improving customer journey, and making the brand more visible. Choosing the right digital signage display is important for the long run whether your business operates in retail, office, hospitality or corporate environments.

Nonetheless, the wide range of display types along with their varying sizes, resolutions, and technologies makes the process of identifying the best solution prohibitively difficult for many businesses. In an effort to guide you through the decision-making process, we have assembled a practical and business-conscious step-by-step guide for selecting the ideal digital signage display, which is based on the insights gained from the experts in the field; Engagis, the authorities in Australia on digital signage and customer experience.

1. Know Your Digital Signage Display's Function

Before you can go any further with regard to hardware specifications, the very first question you have to ask yourself is the most important one:

What does the display have to do?

Different goals necessitate the use of different display types.

The following could be considered as some of the cases of use:

1. Promotions & Advertising – Retail outlets, fast food restaurants, and malls are in need of luminous and high-contrast displays that are capable of reaching the widest audience possible.

2. Menu Boards – Update at any time, clarity, and readability are what are basically needed.

3. Wayfinding & Directories – Customer's navigation will become easier if they could use touchscreen or interactive displays.

4. Corporate Communication – The office usually goes contemporary and sleek for announcements, dashboards, and internal messaging as a way of using signage.

5. Hospitality & Reception Areas – Displays should fit the area and provide good quality visuals.

Having clearly defined the use case makes it that much less difficult to select screen size, brightness, and technology.

2. Choose Between LCD, LED, and Specialty Displays

Not all screens are built the same—and understanding the differences can save your business a lot of time and money.

LCD Displays

Ideal for indoor environments like offices, boutiques, healthcare facilities, and education spaces.

Benefits:

• Cost-effective

• High resolution

• Available in a wide range of sizes

• Sharp text and imaging

LED Displays

Best for large-scale visuals and high-impact retail or public environments.

Benefits:

• Extremely bright

• Customisable sizes and shapes

• Long lifespan

• Ideal for outdoor or high-traffic zones

Specialty Displays

Depending on your needs, you may explore:

• High-brightness window displays

• Ultra-wide stretch screens

• Interactive touchscreens

• Transparent LED

• E-paper displays for low-power signage

A partner like Engagis can help assess which display type aligns with your location and audience.

3. Brightness Levels Matter More Than You Think

Brightness significantly impacts visibility—especially in brightly lit environments or window-facing signage.

Here’s a basic guide:

• 350–500 nits – Good for indoor, controlled-light spaces

• 700–1,000 nits – Suitable for semi-bright areas like shopping malls

• 2,000+ nits – Required for window displays or outdoor signage

Choosing the correct brightness ensures your content remains crisp and readable at all times.

4. Size and Orientation: Think Beyond the Basics

When selecting a digital signage display, consider:

• Viewing distance

• Foot traffic flow

• Placement height

• Landscape vs. portrait orientation

For example:

• Retail stores often use portrait orientation for promotions

• Offices may prefer landscape for dashboards and announcements

• Large open spaces may require oversized displays to maintain visibility

• The ideal screen should complement both the environment and user behaviour.

5. Content Management: The Software Behind the Display

The best screens are only as effective as the software powering them.

Your digital signage content should be:

• Easy to update

• Cloud-based

• Scalable across multiple locations

• Secure and stable

• Compatible with various media types

This is where Engagis Digital Signage CMS and similar solutions come into play. With this tool, companies can manage their content from afar, set up playlists beforehand and maintain the same brand image on all the screens.

6. Durability, Reliability, and Total Cost of Ownership

The factors to consider before the final decision are:

• Commercial-grade vs consumer-grade displays

• Cooling systems and heat resistance

• Warranty and support agreements

• Energy consumption

• Installation requirements

Commercial-grade displays are built for 16/7 or 24/7 operation, hence they are much more reliable in business settings than consumer TVs.

Final Thoughts: Make the Right Digital Signage Investment

The choice of the right digital signage display involves the consideration of visual performance, durability, purpose, and ease of management at the same time. By employing the right strategy—and engaging the expert support of partners like Engagis—you will be able to construct a vibrant visual ecosystem that will not only facilitate communication but also improve customer experience and bring about measurable business results.

Ready to upgrade your visual communication? Discover how Engagis can help you choose the perfect digital signage display and manage it with powerful CMS solutions.