Templates & Best Practices: How to Craft Compelling Content for Digital Signage

At Eflyn, real-world deployments across retail, campuses, events, hospitality, and public spaces show that the most successful screens follow a simple rule: clear message, strong visuals, and smart sequencing.

This guide breaks down how to craft compelling digital signage content using templates and best practices plus practical tips for designers and marketers on content sequencing, motion graphics, and messaging.

Why Content Matters More Than Ever

Digital signage competes with phones, conversations, traffic, and visual noise. You often have just 3–7 seconds to earn attention.

Eflyn’s field data from real deployments shows that high-performing screens:

• Use clean layouts with limited text
• Lead with one clear message
• Combine motion with purpose not distraction
• Follow predictable, easy-to-scan sequences

Good content doesn’t just look nice it guides, informs, and drives action.

Using Templates to Build Better Content Faster

Templates remove guesswork and speed up production while keeping brand consistency.

Benefits of Digital Signage Templates

• Faster content creation
• Consistent branding across screens
• Easy updates by non-designers
• Fewer layout mistakes

Eflyn’s content frameworks used in real deployments typically include:

• Promotional templates
• Wayfinding templates
• Event and schedule templates
• Menu and pricing templates
• Alert and announcement templates

Template Best Practices

• Design for landscape and portrait separately
• Leave space for dynamic data (time, weather, prices, schedules)
• Use large fonts for distance viewing
• Limit each screen to one main goal

Tips for Designers and Marketers

1. Content Sequencing That Makes Sense

Sequencing is the order in which content appears on a screen loop. A strong sequence feels like a story, not a random slideshow.

Effective sequencing example:

1. Welcome or brand message
2. Key promotion or information
3. Supporting details
4. Call-to-action

Eflyn’s real-world results show:

• Shorter loops (20–40 seconds) perform better
• 3–5 slides per loop is ideal
• Important content should appear at least twice per minute

Avoid stacking similar messages back-to-back mix promotions, info, and visuals to keep attention fresh.

2. Motion Graphics With Purpose

Motion attracts attention but too much motion confuses people.

Best practices:

• Animate only what matters
• Use simple transitions (fade, slide, scale)
• Avoid flashing or chaotic effects
• Keep animations under 2 seconds

Eflyn deployments show motion works best for:

• Highlighting prices or offers
• Drawing attention to buttons or QR codes
• Showing progress, steps, or directions

Motion should guide the eye, not fight for it.

3. Messaging That Works in Seconds

People don’t read, they scan.

High-performing digital signage messaging:

• Headline under 7 words
• Supporting text under 15 words
• Clear call-to-action

Examples:

• “Order Here in 3 Steps”
• “Scan for Today’s Menu”
• “Check In at This Screen”

Eflyn projects consistently show that direct, simple language outperforms clever or complex wording.

Layout and Visual Hierarchy

Every screen should answer three questions instantly:

1. What is this about?
2. What should I notice first?
3. What should I do next?

Use visual hierarchy:

• Largest text = main message
• Medium text = support
• Small text = details

Place important elements at eye level and center-left where viewers naturally look first.

Real-Time Content: Where Eflyn Stands Out

Eflyn’s systems allow content to change in real time using:

• Scheduling tools
• Remote updates
• Data-driven content feeds

Real-world uses include:

• Menus that update by time of day
• Event screens that change schedules instantly
• Retail promotions that sync with inventory
• Campus screens that update alerts live

This flexibility means your content is always relevant, not outdated.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Too much text
• Tiny fonts
• Low-contrast colors
• Random slide order
• Overusing animation
• No clear call-to-action

If someone can’t understand your screen in 5 seconds, it needs redesigning.

Crafting Digital Signage Content

Q1. What makes digital signage content effective?

Clear messaging, strong visuals, smart sequencing, and simple calls-to-action.

Q2. How many slides should be in a loop?

Ideally 3–5 slides in a 20–40 second loop.

Q3. Should I use motion graphics?

Yes, but only to guide attention, not distract.

Q4. How often should content change?

High-traffic areas: weekly or even daily.
Lower-traffic areas: bi-weekly or monthly.

Q5. Can non-designers manage content?

Yes. Eflyn’s templates and tools allow teams to update content without design skills.

Let Eflyn Help You Get It Right

Great screens need great content.

If you want digital signage that actually works—designed for attention, clarity, and action—let Eflyn help you build it.

Fill out the “Meet with an Eflyn specialist below” to get expert guidance on:

• Content strategy
• Template design
• Sequencing and motion
• Real-time content management

Turn your screens into powerful communication tools with Eflyn.