An increasing number of businesses are turning to tablets and iPads to fulfill their everyday needs. Not only does touch-screen technology make it faster for employees to complete various tasks, but it can also reduce staffing costs for business owners. Rather than having a person to manage walk-in customers, why not simply have an iPad at the ready where consumers can place an order or select the nature of their appointment?
For this reason, iPad kiosks have become a very popular way to make new technology readily available to both staff and customers alike. Not only are they practical and cost-effective, but iPad kiosks can also help your business look and feel more modern. However, this doesn’t mean that you should rush out and order the first kiosk that you can find. In fact, there are various factors that you should consider before buying one or more iPad kiosks for your business.
Anti-Theft Security
Having high-quality tech visible and readily available to the public requires you to take on a certain degree of risk. There is always the chance that a thief could come along to try to steal the tablet or the entire kiosk. Consequently, anti-theft security measures like a security mount or security stand should be at the top of your checklist. Even after business hours, you will want a way to secure your iPad kiosk with a lock. Fortunately, there are various locking mechanisms that are compatible with kiosks and allow you to protect your property in a matter of seconds.
Kiosk Mounting Style
There are several different kiosk mounting styles and dozens of variations on these styles to meet the needs of you, your staff, and your customers. For example, if you want to have an iPad available on a desk at the entrance of your business, you can opt for an iPad kiosk desk stand. Alternatively, you may want to actually mount your iPad to the wall or an existing structure in your business. In this case, you have various wall mount options, clamp mounts, and mullion mounts. For medical facilities, you can even mount your iPad to a movable desk for easier mobile access.
However, the vast majority of companies like to have a standard iPad floor kiosk that really stands out and creates a clear flow of foot traffic for incoming customers. A floor stand does not take up a lot of space, but it gives everyone easy access to the tablet whenever they need it. You can either get a fixed floor stand or a readily movable stand for greater customization options in your business floor plan.
Adjustability
Adjustability can make a huge difference in the overall performance of your iPad kiosk. For example, taller or shorter customers may want angle adjustment capabilities to fit their needs. You can also solve this issue with a telescoping pole for iPad stands. Alternatively, if you want an iPad kiosk that can be rotated easily, you will want to look for a stand or mount with a 360-degree swivel. This is useful if you plan on using POS on your iPad and want staff to be able to look at the device before turning it to the customer for signatures, payments, or final approvals.
Fixed Location Or Moveable
Choosing between a moveable iPad kiosk or a kiosk in a fixed location is a difficult decision. Ultimately, it will come down to the kind of business you run and how your staff or customers interact with the iPad. If you use the iPad to swipe cards for payment, you may want it in a fixed location at the checkout area. On the other hand, if you need to bring the iPad to people in different rooms or areas of your business, you will almost certainly want a rolling kiosk with wheels. This way, you have an entire moving “station” that is designated for the iPad, which greatly reduces the risk of misplacing the iPad or having it damaged in transit from one spot to another.
Device Compatibility
Apple and other tablet manufacturers come out with new devices nearly every year. Sometimes, the size differences are minor, but other times, they could present a challenge to business owners who already have a kiosk. Therefore, you will want a kiosk that works with as many different models as possible. Moreover, if you plan on upgrading your iPad or tablet on a regular basis, you will want to ensure that your kiosk will remain compatible with new models as they come out. This usually means that you will need to have a mount that can handle iPads and tablets of varying sizes.
Durability/Material
There is nothing worse than getting a stand or mount for an expensive device, only to have it break within a matter of weeks or months, potentially damaging your device in the process. For this reason, you should always evaluate the durability and the quality of the materials used to make your kiosk. Just doing a little extra research before you make your purchase could save you a lot of time and money in the future.
Splash-Proof
While it is not as common to have iPad kiosks outdoors or in areas close to water, you never know when a sudden accident could happen. A customer could spill a drink on your iPad kiosk, and if it is not splash-proof or water-resistant, you may have to pay out of pocket to replace your tablet (and even your kiosk). Thankfully, you can easily find water-resistant kiosks and mounts for your iPad.
Customization
In many cases, an iPad kiosk is one of the first things that a customer will see when they enter your store. So, why not customize it to fit the style of your business and your personal tastes? With most iPad kiosk vendors, you don’t get this kind of customization option when you place an order, but with CTA Digital, you can customize your kiosk to meet your specific wants and needs.
Branding
Naturally, just about every part of your business should reflect your brand in a positive light. However, it is not always easy to find spaces to promote and customize your brand identity (logos, contact info, etc). This is why it is a good idea to look for iPad kiosk providers like CTA Digital that offer customization options like custom printing or engraving to enhance your in-store branding.
Reputation
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you should always do a bit of research on a provider before buying any important products for your business. This includes iPad kiosks. If a company has a lot of negative reviews or virtually no online presence, you may want to think twice about working with them. Additionally, while doing your research, there are a few important questions to ask. For example, does the company stand firmly behind the quality of its products? Does the company have the staying power to provide customer support in a few years’ time? Finally, do other people and businesses look upon the business favorably? Fortunately, with CTA Digital, the answer to all of these questions is “yes.”
We hope you found our iPad kiosks purchasing guide both useful and informative. Are you ready to start shopping for an iPad or tablet kiosk for your business? If so, be sure to reach out to the experts at CTA Digital today!