A teen touches a sneaker that is projected on a store window, and the color of the show changes with a flash. She smiles and tells her friends to give it a shot. As a couple thinks about what to eat for dinner, a digital menu pops up with daily deals as soon as they stop in front of the restaurant window. How to decorate a window, an old skill? People love that it’s now digital. Additional info?
Let’s have a shop talk. There was nothing funny or interesting about old motionless displays; they were just pretty to look at. All of that and more is done by interactive parts of the shop. Think about screens that respond to touch, motion sensors that play music, or QR codes that take customers straight to a secret deal. People no longer just look through window displays; they play with what they see.
Tell me a story. Take Beth, who runs a small store. As usual for the dog days of summer, business was slow. People could “try on” hats online with an interactive magic mirror she put up. In a week, her visitor count doubled. Why? Cats are killed by their curiosity, but they come inside to shop when they’re happy. A lot of people walk by displays that ask people to poke, prod, and test them.
This also has science in it. Our brains are wired to be curious. They’ll stay to answer a puzzle or change something if you give it to them. That is not business speak; that is dopamine. People who were interested in shopping remember shops that made them laugh, think, or even roll their eyes at a funny animation.
Don’t make the tech too hard, though. People will probably leave if they have to figure out a puzzle to see your newest items. The sweet spot? Simple acts that pay off right away. Get a gift by spinning a digital wheel. To choose the new taste, tap. It says, “Show this for 10% off.” As long as you reward engagement, people will come back. Most likely with friends.
Let us not forget about ease of entry. For Grandma to use your window tech, she shouldn’t need Spider-Man-like speed. There should be big buttons, clear directions, and maybe even a friendly “Hey there!” from the screen. Need some ideas? “Tap Me!” keep things open and free.
Also, a screen that doesn’t change gets old quickly. Change up your engaging stuff often. In your window, you can see the community bulletin board for this week and the trivia game for next week. People don’t like change; new things keep them coming back. Do you remember high school? Each person wished to sit at the cool table. Set up a cool table in your window.
Do you want the cherry on top? Facts. Interactive screens help you learn more. What gets the most taps? What deals get people to stop? You can use this to change your stock, your message, or to surprise your loyal customers with a flash sale.
Windows that you can interact with are not just a trick. They sing, play games, and sometimes make people laugh right on the path. Make people on the block talk about your shop—no invite needed. Get people’s attention and make them smile. The world outside your window will take care of the rest.