Top 5 Benefits of Self-Service Kiosks for Your Business

Have you noticed how self-service kiosks are popping up everywhere these days? From grabbing a quick bite at the airport to checking out your groceries, these handy machines are changing how we interact with businesses. And it’s not just a passing trend – the global interactive kiosk market is set to hit $45.32 billion by 2028, growing at a solid 6.9% each year from 2021.

For businesses, these kiosks are helping increase average order values, reduce wait times, and improve overall customer satisfaction. When you combine them with advanced Point of Sale (POS) systems like Jovvie, you get a boost in efficiency and customer service capabilities.

Curious about how self-service kiosks could work for your business? You’re in the right place!

What is a self-service kiosk? Types and applications

There’s no doubt you’ve seen a self-service kiosk, but what exactly is it? It’s an interactive computer terminal that allows customers to access information, make purchases, or complete transactions independently without the need for direct staff assistance.

Over the years, self-service kiosks have changed significantly. Today’s versions often include artificial intelligence, with some featuring facial recognition capabilities or voice command functionality. The rise of contactless technology has made these kiosks even more relevant and useful. In fact, you’ll find self-service kiosks across various industries:

Retail: Some stores have smart fitting rooms where you can try on clothes virtually. Other kiosks suggest products you might like, making shopping easier.
Healthcare: Need to talk to a doctor quickly? There are kiosks for that. You can even pick up prescriptions from automated pharmacy kiosks.
Hospitality: Many hotels now use AI-powered concierge kiosks to assist guests. Some also offer automated check-in and check-out services!
Finance: You can use kiosks to buy and sell cryptocurrency. For added security, many of these machines use fingerprint or eye scans to protect your transactions.
Transportation: These kiosks can tell when a vehicle needs repairs. The more advanced ones even offer the option to rent self-driving cars, opening up exciting new possibilities in transportation.

5 key benefits of self-service kiosks for businesses

1. Boost efficiency and reduce wait times

Self-service kiosks handle transactions quickly and can serve multiple customers simultaneously. This leads to shorter lines and improved customer satisfaction, especially during busy periods.

And the data supports this. Quick-service restaurants using these kiosks have increased customer satisfaction by 15–20%. This improvement is largely due to more accurate orders and reduced wait times, benefiting both businesses and customers.

2. Enhance customer experience and satisfaction

Modern kiosks offer personalized experiences by remembering customer preferences and previous orders. They provide consistent service quality regardless of how busy the business gets.

These machines often offer multiple language options, making them accessible to diverse communities. They’re also highly accurate with orders, which contributes to customer satisfaction. Some advanced kiosks even incorporate augmented reality for product visualization or voice controls for hands-free ordering.

3. Increase sales and average order value

Kiosks are smart at suggesting complementary items through intelligent algorithms. Their visual menus make it easy for customers to see all available options, often leading to additional purchases.

These machines consistently display high-profit items and promotions, sometimes more effectively than human staff. The latest kiosks use machine learning to refine their upselling strategies in real time based on customer behavior.

4. Gather valuable customer data and insights

Kiosks collect detailed information about customer preferences and buying patterns with each transaction. This data helps businesses personalize their marketing and optimize inventory.

They can also conduct quick surveys for immediate feedback on new products or services. According to McKinsey, this personalized approach can increase revenue by 5–15% and improve marketing efficiency by 10–30%. Advanced analytics tools can even predict future buying trends based on kiosk data!

5. Optimize operations and labor costs

Self-service kiosks can handle many routine tasks, allowing businesses to reallocate staff to other important areas. They’re consistently accurate with promotions and pricing, reducing errors.

Recent trends show many retailers are turning to kiosks to address staff shortages. The most advanced kiosks now incorporate predictive maintenance features, which help reduce downtime and operational disruptions.

Self-service kiosks across industries: Success stories and applications

Let’s take a look at how different industries are using self-service kiosks to improve their operations and customer experience. We’ll focus on the retail and restaurant sectors, where these kiosks are making a big impact.

1. IKEA

IKEA faced a common retail challenge: long wait times and not enough staff to help all customers. Their solution? The Upptäcka kiosks. These smart devices allow customers to explore products independently, easing the burden on staff.

The Upptäcka kiosks are impressively versatile. Customers can locate items, check prices, and even continue shopping on their smartphones after using the kiosk. And the results speak for themselves. IKEA now serves six times more customers than before. This efficiency boost allows staff to focus on more complex tasks like kitchen planning and home furnishing consultations, increasing sales in these high-value areas.

2. McDonald’s

McDonald’s began introducing self-ordering kiosks to US locations in 2015, aiming to equip all US franchises with this technology by 2020. These kiosks are designed with user-friendliness in mind. Large, clear images and text make it easy for customers to navigate options and customize orders.

The impact has been significant. The kiosks have virtually eliminated order errors and often process orders faster than human cashiers. In 2022, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski reported that their digital investments, which include these kiosks, contributed to over $6 billion in sales.

3. Zara

Zara, like many retailers, faced challenges in efficiently managing online order pickups and providing a convenient in-store experience.

Their kiosks work in a unique way. Customers put their items in a special bin that automatically scans them. The total price shows up on a screen, and you can pay with a card right there. One interesting thing is that customers take off the security tags themselves, adding a level of autonomy to the checkout process.

These kiosks have made checkout much faster, especially during busy shopping times. A Vogue review said: “From start to finish, it took me seven minutes (it probably could have been quicker, but I really relished the process of de-tagging the security tags).”

Implementing self-service kiosks: Key considerations and challenges

Adding self-service kiosks to your business is an exciting step to take, but there’s a lot to consider. Let’s break it down:

Integration complexities

Getting new kiosks to work smoothly with your existing POS and inventory software can be a real puzzle, especially if you’re using older systems. But here’s some good news: Cloud-based solutions are designed to make this process much easier. They’re built to integrate effortlessly with your current setup, helping you avoid those frustrating technical roadblocks.

Detailed cost-benefit analysis

Before you commit, you’ll need to do some number-crunching. Think about the initial investment, ongoing maintenance costs, and potential return on investment. Yes, the upfront costs might seem steep, but don’t let that put you off.

Then, work out the loqng-term benefits, including reduced labor costs, faster transactions, and improved customer satisfaction. These factors can add up to significant savings over time.

Advanced user experience design

Today’s kiosks are smarter than ever, thanks to AI and machine learning. These technologies can personalize interactions, anticipate customer needs, and even adapt the interface in real time. The result? A smoother, more intuitive experience that keeps customers coming back.

Data security and compliance

With great technology comes great responsibility, especially when it comes to data security. Protecting customer information is crucial, particularly in cloud-based systems. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with regulations like GDPR and PCI DSS. This means implementing strong encryption, secure payment processing, and regular security audits.

Scalability and future-proofing

When choosing a kiosk system, think long-term. You want a solution that can grow with your business and adapt to new technologies. Cloud-based systems are excellent for this, offering the flexibility to scale up or down as needed. It’s all about ensuring your investment remains valuable as your business evolves.

Analytics and data utilization

Did you know your kiosks are fantastic data collectors? They gather valuable insights into customer behavior, preferences, and purchasing patterns. This information can drive smarter business decisions, from fine-tuning your inventory to sharpening your marketing strategies.

Omnichannel integration

Keep in mind that your kiosks shouldn’t operate in isolation. They should be part of a cohesive customer experience that includes your website, mobile app, and in-store interactions. The goal is to create a smooth journey for your customers, regardless of how they choose to engage with your business.

The good news is you’re not on your own with these challenges. Modern systems like Jovvie’s POS solution are built to handle these issues. They work smoothly with platforms like WooCommerce, keep your data safe, and can grow along with your business. We’ll take a closer look at Jovvie in the next section.

Jovvie POS: The ideal solution for self-service kiosks

Now that we’ve explored the challenges of implementing self-service kiosks, let’s talk about Jovvie in more detail. This popular POS system includes a powerful kiosk mode that’s perfect for businesses looking to offer self-checkout options. Its features include:

Flexibility across devices: Jovvie’s kiosk mode works on a variety of devices, including tablets, computers, and even smartphones. This means you can set up your self-service kiosks in a way that best suits your space and your customers’ needs.
Native WooCommerce integration: Remember those integration headaches we mentioned earlier? Jovvie tackles this head-on with its direct WooCommerce integration. This feature keeps your inventory updated in real time across all your sales channels. So, whether a customer buys something through your kiosk, your website, or your traditional checkout, your stock levels stay accurate. It saves time and helps prevent those awkward “sorry, we’re actually out of stock” moments.
Customizable user interface: Thanks to Jovvie’s customizable interface, you can adjust layouts, add your logo, and choose color schemes that align with your brand identity.
Multi-language support: With support for 36 languages, you can cater to customers from various backgrounds. This feature is especially valuable if you’re in a tourist area or a multicultural community.

Jovvie’s self-service kiosk in action: CasaCano Farms

CasaCano Farms self-service kiosk setup using Jovvie POS.

Numbers and features are great, but nothing beats a real-world example. Let’s see how CasaCano Farms, a family-owned produce market, transformed its business with Jovvie’s self-service kiosks.

Before Jovvie, CasaCano Farms used a pen-and-paper system to manage their retail operations. It was time-consuming and made it hard for them to understand their business performance and inventory. They needed a way to manage both their physical and online stores efficiently.

Recognizing the need for change, Alex, the store manager, began searching for a solution. Their requirements were clear: a self-service kiosk that could sync with their online WooCommerce store and accept credit card payments. After carefully evaluating several options, CasaCano Farms chose Jovvie, mainly due to our exceptional customer support.

The Jovvie team worked closely with CasaCano Farms to understand their unique needs. We helped integrate the online store with a physical kiosk and set up credit card processing through Stripe Terminal. And the results were impressive. In the month of June, CasaCano Farms handled 350 orders through their new Jovvie kiosk. They could now sell all their products both in-store and online, which helped them sell more.

CasaCano Farms’ success story shows just how new technology can really help a business. By using Jovvie’s self-service kiosk, they can serve more customers and grow their business.

Start your free trial with Jovvie today

Self-service kiosks are transforming businesses of all sizes, and it’s easy to see why. They’re reshaping how companies operate and interact with customers in meaningful ways.

By implementing kiosks, businesses can significantly reduce wait times. This allows staff to focus on more valuable tasks while customers quickly complete their purchases. This results in improved efficiency and increased customer satisfaction.

While there are many kiosk solutions available, Jovvie’s POS system, with its kiosk mode, offers unique advantages. It’s designed to work with your existing devices, minimizing the need for new equipment. Its native integration with WooCommerce ensures your online and in-store inventory stay synchronized.

One of the best features of Jovvie is that it allows you to explore self-service functionality without a major upfront investment. You can easily test how kiosks fit into your business model and adjust as needed.

Interested in seeing how self-service can enhance your business? Start your free trial with Jovvie today and experience the benefits for yourself!