Whether speaking of a dentist, spa, doctor’s office, or salon—your waiting room LED board must be a balance of comfort, function, and information. This goes beyond the layout, furniture, art, lighting, and the overall ambiance to creating a connected consumer experience. Below are 10 ways to leverage technology to create a modern waiting room for your clients and patients.
#1 Two-Way Messaging
You may already provide automated schedule reminders but consider adding two-way messaging to the mix. For example, messaging to let your client know you are running late, or are available early. Or so that they can let you know that they are running late but are on their way.
Messaging can also be helpful once a client or patient has arrived. For example, they can message to let you know they stepped out for a quick call. Or to ask if you have time for an add-on service or treatment. These instant and direct messages lighten your receptionist’s load.
Highlighting all this information on your Waiting Room LED Board can give other customers waiting their line, an approximate wait time for them, and include them in the information process regarding if another customer ahead of them cancelled, or is just running a bit late.
#2 Digital Check-In
Digital check-in increased in popularity during the pandemic. Due to its effectiveness, many businesses and medical facilities are keeping the technology. This includes apps that allow people to check-in in the parking lot as well as notebooks and touchscreen kiosks.
Digital check-in keeps reception area lines short, and the check-in process can be personalized to the individual client. Touchless QR codes can be emailed to each client or patient to minimize the spread of germs.
#3 Welcome Videos
Add an LED screen or two to your waiting room, for a variety of purposes—including welcome videos. Don’t get too stuck on the name, as a “welcome video” can provide a variety of information.
Create a modern Waiting Room LED Board room by sharing:
- A welcome message
- Directory or video tour
- Your brand story
- Upcoming events
- Team bios or profiles
- Frequently asked questions
- Step by step of the process or procedure your client will receive
- And more
#4 Touchless Refreshments
Even before COVID, the spread of germs and bacteria was off-putting to many. With touchless water dispensers and coffee makers, you can offer refreshments to your guests without direct contact. Also, be mindful of how you store your cups and mugs and how add-ins such as sugar are dispensed.
If it’s easier, you can eliminate self-serve options altogether and have your staff serve your refreshments.
#5 Digital Product or Service List
If you are a salon, spa, or business that requires direct payment, consider adding a digital product or service list. Utilize a high-definition LED screen so that you can post lifelike photos, motion graphics, and video. Whether or not you add your prices to your list is entirely up to you. For example, there are many factors that can impact the rate of hair coloring, including hair length, dye type, and if bleaching is required first. Ensure your upsells and service add-ons are included on this list.
This option also supports your green initiatives, as fewer guests will take your printed price lists.
#6 Digital Amenities
Our schedules have never been busier, so adding a digital amenity or two supports your guest’s on-the-go lifestyle. There are plenty of options to choose from, a few of which may require electrical work to provide.
- In-chair digital charging
- Charging pads
- Wireless charging
- Electrical outlets
- Wi-Fi
- And more
#7 Location-Based Technologies
If you have a large or multi-floor facility, you may want to utilize the combination of a consumer app with location-based technologies. While the topic is modern waiting rooms, this technology can be utilized in your waiting room and beyond.
For example, GPS can be used as a directory, making it easier to navigate complex facilities. After a guest checks-in with their smartphone, they will be provided with step-by-step directions. Beacon technology can alert guests to their nearby amenities, such as the spa changing room, steam room, showers, and more. For privacy, ensure guests can opt out of your location-based digital services.
#8 Digital Games
Another way to utilize both LED screens and notebooks, is to offer digital games. This includes games that you or your kids can play while waiting, such as Tetris. It could also include trivia questions and local fun facts. If not digital games, consider other types of entertainment such as hair tips, cooking tips, health tips, daily horoscopes, and more.
The objective is to reduce perceived wait times by providing engaging information and entertainment.
#9 Personalized Entertainment
If you have private waiting areas or client rooms, consider providing personalized entertainment. For example, allowing clients to select what music they want to listen to, the TV channel, or what show to stream. For multi-use spaces, you can provide earbuds or headphones for individual listening. Or individual notepads to watch what they choose.
This option doesn’t just work for waiting rooms, but also for treatment rooms. For example, listening to music while having dental work done. Or watching a show on a notebook while getting IV therapy.
#10 Virtual Reality?
An increasingly popular option for modern waiting rooms is to create immersive experiences. Utilizing LED screens to create a video wall allows you to switch up both the ambiance and the immersive experience each day. For example, one day the video wall can feature a serene forest with chirping bird audio. The next day crashing waves with timed audio. The day after that a mountain range with the subtle sounds of nature.
The large scale makes the scenes look real, creating a soothing environment—that can be further enhanced with complimentary audio. Give the option to sit directly facing the wall without any visual distractions in between, or to sit in a more traditional waiting room manner.
VR goggles aren’t as popular in waiting rooms but are increasingly popular as part of immersive therapies—so consider adding them to the mix in some way.
In Need of LED Screens for One Or More of the Ideas Above?
If you are searching for custom-built LED screens for one or more of the ideas above, we invite you to reach out to Mega LED Technology. We build each screen to your precise size and specs, including both interior and exterior signs!
