Kiosks are indispensable tools that enhance customer experience and boost sales/revenue. They allow customers to access information and complete transactions without human intervention.
Whether you are operating a restaurant or a store, the choice between freestanding kiosks and wall-mounted kiosks is very critical.
Both types of kiosks have unique advantages that may work better for your business or specific locations. To find out the benefits of freestanding kiosks vs wall-mounted kiosks, continue reading.
Freestanding Kiosks vs Wall-mounted Kiosks
Over the years, kiosks have provided businesses with a sophisticated and interactive way to complete tasks. The decision between freestanding and wall-mounted kiosks depends on space and location, as well as customer flow and business needs.
What are Freestanding Kiosks?
A freestanding kiosk is a standalone terminal that is not attached to a fixed surface or structure. They typically have sturdy bases and can be customized to include wheels. They provide easy access to customers in public spaces where high traffic flow occurs.
Freestanding kiosks are designed to increase mobility in high-traffic areas. They can stand independently and vary in height, which helps accessibility for persons with visibility issues.
These kiosks can be integrated with additional accessories, such as scanners, keyboards, and card readers. They are often used in retail, restaurants, and airports.
What are Wall-mounted Kiosks?
Wall-mounted kiosks are fixed terminals on a wall or vertical surface. They are limited to the space they are installed in and are commonly used in hospital lobbies, airports, and convenience stores. They allow several users to access information without a large physical footprint.
These kiosks are very compact and vary in size and interactive displays. Similar to freestanding kiosks, they can handle payment processing, ticketing, and customer service.
Why Choose Freestanding Kiosks?
There are several benefits to using freestanding kiosks in your office space. You may be limited in the capacity of the room and need a kiosk that is easy to move around, great for busy areas, and simple to install.
Easy to Move Around
The primary benefit of freestanding kiosks is their increased mobility. These kiosks are not permanently fixed to any position and can be relocated with relative ease. Their flexibility allows you to change arrangements depending on the season, customer trends and patterns, or renovations.
Great for Busy Areas
These kiosks are strategically placed to ensure high visibility for customers in the designated area. They are positioned to match the customer flow of high-traffic areas, such as entryways, checkout areas, or most frequented aisles. Their independent structure stands out to customers and improves customer usage and engagement.
Simple to Install
Freestanding kiosks are quite easy to install because they do not need extensive components or equipment. They are designed for ready-to-use implementation, that is, just plug and go. This is beneficial to businesses because it reduces disruption to service and can be temporarily set up for events regardless of location.
Why Choose Wall-mounted Kiosks?
You will need to weigh the pros of freestanding kiosks versus wall-mounted ones. Wall-mounted kiosks are perfect for a multitude of industries. They are able to save space, require little maintenance, and are very secure.
Saves Space
Wall-mounted kiosks are ideal for offices or stores with limited floor space that need to prioritize other services or products. The mounting allows businesses to free valuable space in the property for customer seating or product displays. This makes it commonplace in retail stores, small shops, and medical offices.
Some businesses are constrained by the space but have extremely high foot traffic. These kiosks are less likely to obstruct pathways and allow visitors and staff to freely move around a space quickly and efficiently.
Needs Less Maintenance
These kiosks are less likely to be knocked over or dislodged by customers who are in a rush. They are very durable and able to withstand tampering by malicious factors and other instances of theft or unauthorized movement.
Wall-mounted kiosks are equipped with cable and wire management systems, which help you avoid chances of electrical damage or wear and tear. The durability of wall-mounted kiosks is very high and will require less maintenance than freestanding kiosks, which can be damaged in relocation.
More Secure
Wall-mounted kiosks are permanently affixed to a wall, which offers greater security. It is locked into an anti-theft housing, which protects against vandalism. They are great for high-risk environments such as malls and commercial centers. Due to their compact size, they are harder to tamper with than freestanding kiosks.
Choosing the Right Kiosk
There are several factors that you should consider when choosing the right kiosk for your business needs. You must evaluate your desired location’s space/capacity, the traffic and flow of movement in that area, and the general goals of the business.
How Much Space Do you have?
Each location option should be vetted to identify the amount of room for movement, any limitations, and the best placement in the space. Measurements will be taken to ensure the kiosk can fit in the area without obstructing traffic and other assets.
How Do People Move Around the Area?
A full inspection should be done to ensure that there is adequate room to accommodate the kiosk and its accessories without increasing congestion or causing added frustration.
What Does Your Business Need?
Freestanding kiosks are mobile, which makes it easier to readjust in retail settings for customers to browse products and services for extended periods, whereas wall-mounted kiosks are better suited for quick tasks.
How Businesses Use Kiosks
Self-service kiosks can be utilized in several industries to boost sales and improve customer service or information sharing. Kiosks have played a big role in enhancing customers’ experience in retail environments, restaurants, and entertainment.
Retail
Freestanding kiosks are used for self-checkout in retail or grocery stores and can assist with providing product information and availability. Wall-mounted kiosks are often seen for collecting payments or order check-ins.
Restaurant
In restaurants, freestanding kiosks perform wonderfully to take customer orders, provide menu options, and allow payment. Wall-mounted kiosks, on the other hand, are generally used for specific tasks such as takeout order check-in.
Entertainment
Freestanding kiosks are uniquely suited for event venues and tourist attractions. They are often used for ticketing and information sharing. They boost engagement and make it easy to coordinate experiences. Wall-mounted kiosks are great for unobstructed navigation assistance and quick directory interactions.
Conclusion
By carefully considering your space capacity, customer flow, and specific goals, you can identify whether a freestanding or a wall-mounted kiosk is suitable for you. You can weigh the benefits of flexibility and increased accessibility for freestanding kiosks against the greater security and reduced maintenance of wall-mounted kiosks.
If you are ready to purchase the kiosk that is perfect for your business needs, contact us for a free quote.
