According to Travel + Leisure magazine, Asbury Park Beach, on the Jersey Shore, ranks in the top 25 beaches in the United States. The combination of Atlantic beach charm, swimming, water sports, fishing with the historic boardwalk, rife with shops and dining, makes the Jersey Shore an outstanding tourist destination. If you run a business there, whether you’re selling t-shirts or oysters, optimizing the draw of tourists to your location can easily be enhanced by adding digital signs and a digital signage app to your marketing strategy. This guide will take you through all of the ways you can make this plan work for you.
Promote Local Events and Attractions
Event Listings
Anything that’s happening on the Jersey Shore can be showcased on digital signs, letting tourists and locals know when and where. That includes farmers markets, concerts and festivals.
Highlight Attractions
The Jersey Shore has plenty of attractions and digital signs can advertise and point the way to amusement parks, historic sites, the boardwalk and beaches. Showcase things to do and maps for how to find those attractions.
Partner with Local Businesses for Advertisements
Local Business Promotions
Digital signs can showcase local restaurants, shops and services, including any special deals or discounts they are offering. Such limited time offers are a great way to attract tourists right away.
Cross Promotions
Local Jersey Shore businesses can partner with one another to promote each other on their digital screens. For instance, a local surf shop can share their favorite restaurant and that restaurant can advertise the surf shop.
Interactive Wayfinding and Information Kiosks
Interactive Maps
Digital maps show tourists where attractions, shops, beaches and restaurants are, helping them find their way around the Jersey Shore. They are also great for showing where hotels and parking are located. Interactive digital signs can be used to show entry points such as train stations and boardwalks and can even provide customized tourist itineraries.
Local Business Directories
A directory of Jersey shore businesses is useful for helping tourists find dining, shopping, hotels, parking, etc. Adding QR codes gives users the opportunity to get directions to various places sent right to their phones.
Display Real Time Information
Weather and Surf Conditions
On the beach, the weather and ocean conditions are of utmost importance and digital signs are a simple way to let tourists know the day’s forecast, the surf conditions and tide schedules. They can be updated in real time and can be combined with local forecasting services.
Traffic and Parking Information
Use digital signs to show live updates on parking availability and traffic conditions, as well as road closures and public transportation schedules, so tourists have all of their options for getting around while visiting the Jersey Shore.
Leverage Social Media Integration
Social Media Feeds
Live digital media feeds let tourists see what’s happening on the Jersey Shore, including what’s being posted on Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram. Invite visitors to use special hashtags, such as #JerseyShoreFun, when they post their Jersey Shore photos and videos. This boosts engagement and is a free way to promote local businesses.
User Generated Content
Showcase real time posts from tourists, such as images and videos from their activities. Visitors will love seeing their own content and it’s a simple way to give local businesses additional exposure.
Seasonal and Time Sensitive Content
Holiday Promotions
As the seasons change, so too do the events on the Jersey Shore. Digital signs are an easy way to let tourists know what’s happening, whether it’s a summer beach festival or a wintertime holiday extravaganza. You can also include limited time offers and countdowns.
Day and Night Campaigns
Content on your digital signs can be changed for day versus night. That means you can display daytime beach activities and events, while nighttime content may include special restaurant deals, concerts and where to see the sunset.
Interactive Contests and Gamification
Interactive Games
Digital signs equipped with touchscreens allow Jersey Shore visitors to play games or quizzes, with local discounts and coupons as prizes.
Scavenger Hunts
A digital scavenger hunt is a fun and unique way to use your signs and engage the tourist crowd at the same time. Direct them from place to place, creating exposure for local businesses along the way.
Enhance the Aesthetic and Atmosphere
Visual Storytelling
Highlight the history and story of the Jersey Shore on digital signs, including local stories and historical videos and images. Point the way to historical sites and celebrate local celebrities and historical figures, which creates a meaningful connection between the tourist and the location.
Art Displays
Rotate digital exhibits from local artists and photographers, which is a fantastic way to promote local talent and create fresh new displays on a regular basis.
Incorporate Sponsorship Opportunities
Local Business Sponsorship
Local businesses can take turns sponsoring content on digital signs around the Jersey Shore. That could be a restaurant, a local shop or a hotel, which promotes visibility to tourists and drives traffic to local businesses.
Sustainability Messaging
Environmental Awareness
Use digital signs to promote eco-friendly steps that tourists can participate in, such as waste management, reusable water bottles, and respecting the local flora and fauna of the surroundings.
The integration of dynamic digital signage into the Jersey Shore tourism strategy creates an interactive, informative and engaging way to connect with tourists and enhance their experience, while also boosting the economic growth of local businesses. Let’s look at some examples.
Asbury Park Boardwalk
Interactive Wayfinding Kiosks
Asbury Park uses digital kiosks along the boardwalk, each offering interactive maps, business directories, and listings of local events. This helps tourists find restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and details about festivals and events happening in the area.
Event Promotion Screens
Asbury Park also uses digital signs to advertise and promote local concerts at the Stone Pony or Paramount Theater. This boosts ticket sales and increases foot traffic to nearby businesses before and after the show.
Ocean City Boardwalk
Beach Cams and Surf Reports
Ocean City uses digital signs to broadcast live beach cams and surf conditions, allowing tourists accurate and up to date info. They are also used to show the weather forecast, water temperature, and wave conditions. This gives surfers and swimmers real time details for planning a trip to the beach.
Local Business Promotions
A variety of local businesses along the Ocean City boardwalk use digital screens to promote that day’s specials, flash sales, and activities for couples, families and friend groups. Many shops rotate their displays, based on the time of day.
Wildwood Boardwalk
Amusement Park Advertising
Wildwood boasts Morey’s Piers and uses digital signs to showcase its rides specials, wristband promotions, and events happening on the boardwalk. Because the screens are in high traffic areas, they are an easy way to attract the attention of children and adults.
Wayfinding Screens
Wildwood also optimizes its digital screens by placing them in high traffic areas to display wayfinding via interactive maps to its attractions, including the waterpark, mini golf, and beachfront hotels and restaurants. QR codes allow visitors to easily get directions to where they are going.
Seaside Heights
Digital Billboards for Local Events
Large digital signs that act as billboards are super effective when Seaside Heights wants to advertise upcoming events, such as their annual Polar Bear Plunge, local fireworks shows, and concerts on the boardwalk. This helps boost off-season tourism with eye-catching signs.
Restaurant Menus and Specials
Many bars and restaurants on the Seaside Heights boardwalk use digital signs to share their menu, advertise happy hour specials, and showcase other promotions. Digital signs are easy to change in real time, based on time of day, season and consumer preferences.
Cape May
Historical Digital Displays
Cape May is well known for its historical Victorian architecture and the area makes use of digital signs to offer tourists self-guided walking tours. Guests simply scan QR codes to learn about key historical locations, including sites, restaurants and shops.
Art and Cultural Promotion
Digitals signs placed strategically inside the Cape May Convention Center are used to advertise and promote art shows, theater performances, and live music, which supports the arts community in the area and gives visitors something to do.
Atlantic City
Casino and Show Promotions
Atlantic City is home to many well known casinos, including Borgata, Harrah’s and Caesars. Digital signs make it easy for such establishments to showcase content inside and outside, including upcoming concerts, comedy shows, and gambling promotions. When they’re integrated with the casino’s entertainment and dining choices, they are ideal for attracting visitors to explore Atlantic City.
Interactive Hotel Directories
Many of the hotels in Atlantic City use digital signs in the lobby to highlight amenities, share local schedules, and showcase nearby attractions, such as Steel Pier.
These are some great examples of how digital signage is used on the Jersey Shore to engage and attract the attention of the tourists and promote local events and businesses.
How Digital Signage Has Improved Traffic Flow on the Jersey Shore
Data and analytics prove just how effective digital signs are on the Jersey Shore, which experiences a heavy flow of summertime tourist traffic. The real time data and displays, coupled with traffic management strategies have eased congestion and made driving in the area more enjoyable. Let’s look at this a little closer.
Real Time Traffic Updates
Accurate Information on Traffic Conditions
Digital signs are a great way to provide real time, up to date details on traffic conditions, including accidents and delays. As drivers visit popular areas on the Jersey Shore, including Asbury Park and Wildwood, they have access to traffic updates that allow them to plan their trip accordingly.
Dynamic Speed Adjustments
Certain digital signs can adjust the speed limit, as necessary, which helps prevent bottlenecking and keep traffic flow as smooth as possible. This is especially helpful on busy thoroughfares, such as the Garden State Parkway, which is a main route into the Jersey Shore area.
Route Diversions and Alternative Routes
Smart Detour Information
Anytime roads are closed, there are traffic delays, or accidents, digital signs can broadcast this information, offering tourists alternative routes to save time and ease congestion on major roads.
Tourist Route Guidance
When it’s peak tourist season, digital signs are an effective way to direct visitors to available parking, less crowded beaches and other areas that aren’t as full of people.
Parking Availability Alerts
Real Time Parking Information
Real time parking displayed on digital signs allows tourists to find a parking place, reducing road congestion and allowing them more time to enjoy everything the Jersey Shore has to offer. Signs in both Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant use digital signs to direct guests to open parking spaces.
Efficient Parking Flow
As drivers are guided to open parking spots, traffic flows more smoothly, with digital signs being used to prevent backups on the streets and in intersections. This is especially helpful during peak beach hours and helps reduce the number of cars circling around looking for a place to park.
Improved Emergency Response
Accident and Hazard Warnings
Digital signs that alert drivers to accidents, other road hazards, and construction makes it easy to change routes and be prepared for slow downs or stops on the road. This helps maximize traffic flow and reduces the risk of more accidents happening.
Emergency Evacuations
If a hurricane or flooding is predicted along the Jersey Shore, digital signs can be used to alert guests and guide them to proper evacuation routes. Real time instructions evacuating efficient and safe and helps prevent traffic jams as people leave the area.
Managing Seasonal Traffic Surges
Tourist Flow Management
When tourism in the Jersey Shore is at its peak, which is during the summer months, digital signs help manage the larger flow of people. Signs on the roadways also help reduce gridlock and help distribute traffic effectively. This keeps visitors informed so they can plan their route accordingly.
Off Peak Travel Encouragement
By suggesting alternative routes, digital signs help encourage off peak travel times to help manage traffic. Alerting drivers to heavy traffic allows them to leave earlier or get a later start to avoid it.
Integration with Traffic Control Systems
Traffic Signal Coordination
In some parts of the Jersey Shore, digital signs are integrated with the traffic lights, allowing the sign’s content to be updated in real time. The result is more efficient highways, intersections and parking lots.
Adaptive Traffic Management
To manage lane usage, digital signs can be used to direct traffic and provide alerts during special events, such as festivals or concerts, opening and closing lanes as needed to control traffic flow.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety
Pedestrian Crossing Alerts
When shore towns get busy, digital signs ensure that drivers are aware of pedestrian crossing, which optimizes safety and reduces traffic stops, especially on boardwalks and near beach entry points.
Cyclist Awareness
Digital signs are also a good way to notify drivers where the bike lanes are so they can be aware of cyclists.
Tourism and Event Traffic Management
Event Specific Signage
When the Jersey Shore is hosting a festival, concert or holiday event, digital signs make it easy to direct drivers and pedestrians to optimize the flow through congested areas.
Festival Traffic Diversions
During a festival, such as those held at Asbury Park and the Stone Pony, digital signs are quite helpful for controlling the flow of cars in and out, while also keeping pedestrians safe.
Environmental Impact
Reducing Idle Time
Keeping cars moving helps cut back on idling, which reduces carbon emissions and protects the Jersey Shore environment and air quality.
Efficient Transit Information
Digital signs are also great for displaying public transportation details, allowing visitors to skip driving, which is an eco-friendly step that everyone can get on board with.
By offering real time information on digital signs around the Jersey Shore, visitors are safe and informed and will have the best experience during their stay.
