Digital signage content can help you promote, inform, and engage—on screens big and small, across one location or a thousand. But if you're wondering how to actually create content for digital signage, you're not alone.
This guide breaks down five easy methods to help you build great-looking digital signage—whether you're doing it yourself, using templates, or running content across an enterprise network.
TLDR Key Takeaways
Short Answer: There’s no one-size-fits-all method. The right approach depends on how many screens you manage, how often your content changes, and who’s responsible for creating it.
Below, we’ll walk through five popular and proven methods to create digital signage content—plus when to use each one.
Digital signage refers to electronic displays that show content like announcements, ads, or entertainment. Common in retail, restaurants, campuses, airports, and corporate environments, digital signage is made up of:
Used for:
The secret to effective signage? It’s all in the content.
Whether you want to increase brand awareness, generate leads, or sell more products online, there are many different ways to create your own digital signage. Here are two main ways businesses approach digital signage:
Businesses need flexibility and ease when they create their digital signage, so many choose CMS solutions that let them edit content on the same platform as scheduling or deploying these displays.
For anything more than 5-10 endpoints in a typical company setting, you’ll want some kind of a system like this too.
Remember, the best approach depends on your specific needs and goals. Embarking on a digital signage journey has become more accessible, allowing individuals to set up effective solutions regardless of their budget and technical skills.
A content management system (CMS) is software that lets you create, manage, and schedule content from one place.
Best for:
Key Benefits:
Popular CMS tools: Wallboard, ScreenCloud, Yodeck
Wallboard Tip: Wallboard offers a no-code editor, dynamic widgets, and full remote management—all in a browser-based platform.
Templates offer a simple, design-friendly way to launch signage content fast. Just customize the text and visuals.
Best for:
Tools to Try: Canva, PowerPoint, and Adobe Express offer a wide range of free and premium templates for businesses to create their own digital signage. For example, the screenshot below shows a small range of Canva’s template options.
Pros:
Cons:
Don’t start from scratch—reuse what you already have. Repurpose videos, blog content, social media posts, and dashboards.
Best for:
Repurposing Ideas:
Pros:
Cons:
You don’t need to spend a dime to get started with digital signage content. There are a number of free tools available that you can use to create digital signage. These help you create simple signs or more complex designs, depending on your needs and skillset.
Use tools like Google Slides and Powerpoint to create digital signage content. This type of technology is easy for individuals without extensive technical knowledge.
Some of the most common free tools include:
Best for:
Pros:
Cons:
Stock images can make your signage visually impactful—especially when you don’t have original photography or graphics.
Best for:
Some free stock image sites include: Shutterstock, Pixabay, stock.xchng, and Pexels.
Tips:
Pros:
Cons:
Ask yourself:
💡 Rule of Thumb: If you’re managing more than 5-10 displays, consider using a CMS to save time and scale efficiently.
Wallboard is built for businesses that want full control, flexibility, and scalability—all in one platform:
Ready to make better digital signage content smarter, faster, and easier? Reach out to us today!
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