Self-service kiosks provide customer engagement in businesses like retail, healthcare, and government. They help redefine customer experiences by allowing convenience and greater control of the user experience.
To implement kiosk solutions, you have to decide which kiosk is a better option for your business: wall-mounted kiosks vs countertop kiosks. To find that out, let’s look into the benefits and distinct features of these kiosks.
What is a Self-Service Kiosk?
Self-service kiosks are becoming popular because of their versatility. They can sit on counters or be fixed on walls. They are a popular choice among the customers. Almost every industry is acquiring self-service kiosks to adapt to technological innovations. Let us understand the concept of self-service kiosks.
What is Customer Service in Kiosks?
Customer service has been performed by staff and employees over the decade. However, it is possible to replace it with automated customer service through various self-service processes. It is a concept that reduces labor costs. It aids in upscaling your business by freeing staff members from monotonous work, which can be easily replaced with kiosks.
Customer experience acquires a whole new dimension with self-service. These kiosks add privacy and convenience to the customer experience in banks. They enhance the banking experience in a way never seen before. Instead of calling in-room service and automatic booking services, hotel guests frequently opt for self-service interfaces.
Everyone has come across a self-service kiosk at some point in life without even realizing it. Self-checkout machines at grocery stores utilize self-service kiosks. They let the customers bill and cash their purchased items with zero human interaction.
Self-service kiosks have been a key feature of airports. Check-in before boarding a plane has become much more convenient via self-service kiosks. These kiosks are available in various shapes and sizes across an equally wide variety of industries.
The concept of self-service has found special attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because its benefits cannot be ignored, as it makes everything run smoothly. Despite being late in their success, it is impossible to neglect the benefits of self-service kiosks.
Common Types of Self-Service Kiosks
There are different types of self-service kiosks depending on the needs of every business.
Information Kiosks: Provide details like maps, event schedules, or FAQs in public places.
Payment Kiosks: Allow users to make payments for bills, tickets, or services in a better way.
Retail Kiosks: Enable customers to order and pay for products in stores.
Check-In/Check-Out Kiosks: Manage airport and clinic processes by making registration automatic.
Comparing Wall-Mounted Kiosks vs Countertop Kiosks
To make the best possible decision, you must get a complete idea. Let us compare the features of wall-mounted kiosks and countertop kiosks.
Which One is Space Efficient?
Wall-mounted kiosks are fixed to a wall to save floor space. This means the traffic flow for customers would not be affected. They are useful in congested stores or small hallways. They don’t allow spaces to be crowded, which is a huge issue for small spaces. You can use this to improve the user experience.
On the other hand, countertop kiosks demand a flat surface for installation. They must be placed on floors or tables so they will occupy more space. Yet, they are versatile in their placement.
Which One is Stable?
Wall-mounted kiosks have risk-free mounting because they are attached with the help of hardware. Professional installation would reduce the risks of mishaps, like unfortunate accidents that cause customer injuries. They cannot be moved from their place. Hence, it is a safe solution for children or elderly individuals.
Countertop kiosks have easy installation and work without hardware installations. You are in full authority to try out and look for the prime location for the kiosk that gives maximum engagement. The strategy is to place them in areas of high traffic, according to the requirements of the day.
Accessibility
Wall-mounted kiosks are installed at a fixed height. This will limit their accessibility to children or disabled individuals.
Countertop kiosks can be placed at any height, so it is easy to access users who have any issues, including disabled individuals. They can be easily accommodated for all customers. Plus, it is easily noticeable due to their presence on floors or desks.
Pros of Wall-Mounted Kiosks
Wall-mounted kiosk technology is mature. Its benefits show us how businesses interact with their users. Let’s highlight the factors that make a wall-mounted kiosk better than its counterparts.
Use Space in a Better Way
Wall-mounted kiosks are made for locations with limited space. Businesses that want to get the best from their spaces should use wall-mounted kiosks. They help maintain an organized environment with less noise.
They occupy minimal floor space. Wall-mounted kiosks can maintain limited foot space, like narrow corridors or small grocery stores. They have a lower tendency to experience wear and tear. This is due to their height, from which they are less prone to physical contact.
Improved Customer Flow Management
Wall-mounted kiosks utilize wall space efficiently. They prevent congestion and crowded environments in busy spaces. Crowded alleyways are a major hurdle that leaves a negative impact on customer perception. You can use wall-mounted kiosks to quickly access services with minimum hassle.
A wall-mounted kiosk provides a strategy to demonstrate controlled customer engagement. It can be placed in any direction to attract user attention. This makes them ideal for interactive exhibits in museums or information points in libraries.
Increased Security and Durability
The fixed nature of wall-mounted kiosks reduces the risk of theft. Public places have a high demand for security. These kiosks uproot the predominant concern of security and safety. They have a sturdy installation, which is ideal for high-traffic locations like retail stores or airports.
Pros of Countertop Kiosks
The use of countertop kiosks is a promise to your business to bring benefits. It will be an incredible growth point for your business if you make the best decision. Here are the prominent advantages of countertop kiosks:
Versatile Solution
Versatility is the best part of any countertop kiosk. They are lightweight, and hence you can move them easily. Businesses can easily reposition these kiosks in any condition, such as events or changes in store layout. This is smaller than a standard kiosk, so it gives the same functionality but with a smaller occupancy.
Another neglected benefit of countertop kiosks is the opportunity to place seats in front of them. This factor assists in the long-term use of kiosks with minimum strain. You have the option to sit while performing the task on countertop kiosks.
Easy to Install and Maintain
Countertop kiosks are simpler to install. They don’t demand complex hardware or professional installation. These kiosks provide easy access to updates. Maintenance is not a difficult process, as technicians can easily reach the kiosk without removing it from its fixed position.
Comparatively, they are much smaller in size and frame. They can fit in existing feature displays like countertops.
Better for Personalized Interactions
The position of countertop kiosks makes close customer interaction possible. They can be used for modified interactions like a product demonstration. They guarantee a convenient customer experience that will satisfy your users.
Applications
Wall-mounted kiosks and countertop kiosks are both popular. Let’s take a look at where they help. Both of these types are widely used by industries of all niches, but here are a few popular ones.
Retail Applications
Wall-mounted kiosks are most commonly used for quick self-checkouts. The second usage is order pickups in retail stores. Countertop kiosks are useful for customer support desks or shopping assistance for customers.
Benefits to the Health Sector
Wall-mounted kiosks are useful for patient check-ins. They schedule appointments and information retrieval without any hurdles. Countertop kiosks are used in pharmacies or clinics for patient consultations.
Hospitality Enhancements
Wall-mounted kiosk in hotels keeps you away from the frustration of check-ins and room bookings. Countertop kiosks are suitable as they give information about local attractions.
Bottom Line
Almost every customer-facing industry is getting the most out of the success of self-service kiosks. Kiosks are made to facilitate business needs. These can be the user demands and industry requirements.
So, why not select the one that improves your business? BestKiosk offers expert kiosk services. Reach out to our professionals for advice.
