Top 10 Digital Signage Mistakes and How to Avoid in 2025

Digital signage turns any screen into a dynamic storyteller. It is a powerful way to grab attention, share information, and boost your business. However, even the best screens can fail if a few simple mistakes are made.

Below are 10 common digital signage mistakes and some quick fixes you can apply to avoid wasting time, money, and views.

Common Digital Signage Mistakes and How to Fix Them

1. Overloading the Screen with Too Much Info

❌ Why it’s a problem:

Trying to fit everything on one screen, menus, offers, announcements, and logos, just overwhelms your viewers. When there’s too much going on, people don’t know where to look… so they look away.

✅ How to fix it:

• Keep your message short and clear.
• Use large fonts (minimum 24 pt for HD, 32 pt for 4K) and simple words.
• Break up content into multiple layers or zones using EasySignage’s playlist and multi-layout features.
• Focus on one idea per slide.
• Leave “white space” so the screen doesn’t feel crowded.

2. Using Low-Quality Images or Videos

❌ Why it’s a problem:

Blurry photos, stretched logos, or pixelated videos make your screens look unprofessional. Poor visuals can damage your brand image and turn viewers away, even if your message is good.

✅ How to fix it:

• Use high-resolution images and videos in HD (1920×1080) or 4K (3840×2160) to match your screen specifications.
• Avoid stretching or resizing small images to fit big screens.
• Export videos in the MP4 format with H.264 encoding for better performance.
• Let EasySignage compress high-resolution videos to balance quality and speed.

3. Poor Contrast or Colors That Are Hard to Read

❌ Why it’s a problem:

If your text blends into the background or your colours clash, viewers won’t be able to read your message. When people can’t read your message, they’ll skip it.

✅ How to fix it:

• Use high-contrast colour combinations like dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background.
• Avoid clashing colours.
• Stick to 2–3 brand colours for a clean, professional look.

4. Forgetting to Update Content

❌ Why it’s a problem:

Outdated promotions, menus, or displaying old news and content can drive customers away and can cost you sales.

✅ How to fix it:

• Refresh your content often. Try seasonal themes or promotions.
• Use the EasySignage scheduler to plan your content ahead of time and automatically show the right info. Set it and forget it!

5. Poor Screen Location

❌ Why it’s a problem:

If a media player or screen is placed in the wrong location, it won’t be seen or read. A gorgeous design fails if people can’t see it. Screens that are positioned too high, too low, or facing the wrong direction will lead to poor engagement.

✅ How to fix it:

• Place screens at eye level in high-traffic areas (about 150 cm / 5 ft from the floor).
• Avoid placing screens in direct sunlight or reflections that block visibility.
• Avoid glare from windows.
• Test viewing angles to ensure optimal visibility.

6. Not Targeting the Right Audience

❌ Why it’s a problem:

If your content doesn’t match who’s actually watching your screens, it results in wasted screen time and effort.

✅ How to fix it:

• Know your audience: Are they shoppers, students, visitors, or staff?
• Use AI-powered audience analytics from EasySignage for real-time audience data.
• Review weekly reports: top slides, busiest hours, and viewer demographics.
• Adjust content based on what works.

7. Neglecting Hardware Maintenance

❌ Why it’s a problem:

Screens collect dust, overheat, or wear out, especially in busy or outdoor locations. If you never clean or check your devices, expect slow performance, blank screens, or even total failure.

✅ How to fix it:

• Wipe screens and vents regularly to remove dust.
• Check cables and power sources monthly.
• Restart players weekly to refresh the system (EasySignage even lets you schedule reboots remotely with the power management feature).

8. Using Cheap Hardware

❌ Why it’s a problem:

Trying to save money with low-cost media players might seem like a good idea, but they often freeze, lag, or can’t handle HD or 4K content. That means poor performance, black screens, or videos that stutter, especially when running multiple layers or animations.

✅ How to fix it:

• Invest in reliable, tested devices that match your content needs.
• For simple slides or menus, mid-range players work fine.
• For 4K videos, choose high-performance players like BrightSign, Windows, or Android.
• EasySignage supports a wide range of devices, so you can choose the right one for your setup without compromising on quality or exceeding your budget.

9. No Clear Goal for Your Content

❌ Why it’s a problem:

If you don’t know what your content is supposed to do: sell, inform, guide, or promote, then your viewers won’t either. Random messages lead to confusion, low engagement, and wasted screen time.

✅ How to fix it:

• Before you design anything, ask: What’s the purpose of this screen?
• Create content that supports a specific goal like increasing sales, improving communication, or guiding visitors.
• Use Hexa AI viewer analytics to track what’s working and adjust your content strategy accordingly.

10. Using Outdated Software

❌ Why it’s a problem:

Running digital signage on outdated or unsupported software can cause crashes, limit features, and security risks. It also makes it harder to keep your content fresh and your screens running smoothly.

✅ How to fix it:

• Switch to a modern, cloud-based platform like EasySignage.
• EasySignage works on most devices like Android, Windows, Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, BrightSign, and more.
• It supports offline playback, proof-of-play, scheduling, and even external data integrations like Google Sheets, calendars, and dashboards.
• Best of all, software updates happen automatically in the background, so you’re always running the latest and most secure version.

Final Tip: Keep It Simple, Smart, and Scheduled

With EasySignage, avoiding common mistakes is easy. The platform is built to help you create, schedule, and manage great content without stress. Whether you’re updating a single screen or hundreds across multiple locations, everything can be done from one intuitive dashboard.

Just sign up and try EasySignage for free. Run your own tests, explore the features, and see how simple digital signage can be.

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