How to Create Digital Signage for Free

How to Create Digital Signage for Free: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

Looking to display menus, announcements, promotions, or schedules on a screen, without spending a fortune on commercial software? Digital signage doesn't have to be expensive or complex. In fact, there are free ways to create and manage digital signage for small businesses, schools, or community centers.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to create digital signage for free using common tools and how you can use Formswrite.com to collect information or feedback from your viewers.

What Is Digital Signage?

Digital signage refers to content displayed on digital screens, such as TVs or monitors, used in:

1. Restaurants and cafés

2. Office lobbies

3. Schools and campuses

4. Retail stores

5. Events and exhibitions

This content can include:

1. Menus

2. News tickers

3. Slideshows

4. QR codes

5. Form links (for sign-ups, surveys, etc.)

Step-by-Step: How to Create Digital Signage for Free

1. Design Your Content Use free design tools like:

1. Canva (offers signage templates)

2. Google Slides or PowerPoint

3. Visme or Crello

Create slides with the content you want to display—add text, images, animations, and even QR codes linking to a form (created on Formswrite.com, for example).

2. Use a Smart TV or Digital Display You can plug in a USB stick with your content or use a browser in full-screen mode.

3. Set Up a Loop or Rotation

1. Use Google Slides in presentation mode with auto-advance

2. Upload content to YouTube and play it on loop

3. Use free signage platforms like Screenly OSE (for Raspberry Pi) or Xibo CMS (open source)

4. Add Interactivity with Formswrite Want viewers to take action, like leave feedback, sign up, or register interest?

Create a form at Formswrite.com , then:

1. Embed the form’s link in a QR code

2. Display the QR code on your signage

3. Collect responses in real-time

Why Use Formswrite with Digital Signage?

1. No coding or hardware integrations required

2. Collects feedback, sign-ups, RSVPs, and more

3. Easy to update or edit forms anytime

FAQs

Do I need special hardware for digital signage? No. A basic smart TV, monitor with HDMI, or tablet will work.

Can I schedule content? Some free tools offer scheduling, but for simple slideshows or auto-looped content, tools like Google Slides work fine.

Is Formswrite a signage tool? Not directly but it enhances signage by letting you collect data from viewers via QR code or form links.