A well-designed kiosk stimulates interest from passersby, educates shoppers about your merchandise, and encourages sales. That’s a big responsibility for a tiny store. One of the toughest questions kiosk entrepreneurs grapple with is whether to go with ready-made or custom kiosk design. There is a lot at stake, so you want to make the right decision.

Some kiosk retailers (including some with very big names) have started out with off-the-shelf kiosks, only to switch later to custom design. That’s an expensive marketing lesson. In terms of branding and customer perception, it’s a lot like starting over. So let’s look at what custom kiosk design can do for you, right from the beginning.

Consider the big picture.

Any successful kiosk must make an exceptional first impression on shoppers. Without that, they will walk on by. So you need stylish, captivating design. But you need functionality, too – a place for everything, with emphasis on eye-catching product displays.

Do you want a typical “kiosk in the round" set-up, where people can see, approach, and shop from all angles? Or a design that enables them to step farther into your space? Or are you building a smaller, product-specific kiosk that will offer self-service options? Beyond size and general configuration, you’ll want to evaluate factors such as durability, construction/installation time, and cost. An off-the-shelf kiosk may cost less up front, but the thing about an off-the-shelf kiosk is that it cannot possibly fit your needs perfectly.

If you expect to appeal to today’s tech-savvy shoppers, you must consider interactive options for any type or size kiosk. That might include product videos, touchscreens that display product information or enable product customization, or self-checkout capability. This is another area in which custom kiosk design can make a monumental difference in your ability to attract shoppers and make sales.

Consider the details.

Will you need storage? Specialty lighting? Additional power for food prep or refrigeration? Counter space for product demonstrations as well as ringing up sales? Kiosks should be easy to use as well as easy to shop.

And what about branding? The materials, colors, and finishes you choose for fixtures and signage have to clearly impress your brand on shoppers' minds. That builds repeat sales, but you can’t get it looking like some other kiosk business.

You don’t have to customize everything.

Kiosks are amazingly affordable compared to brick-and-mortar stores. Nonetheless, you undoubtedly have a budget. Make the most of your available funds by splurging on the details most important for your unique business, and save in other areas. For example, you can pull together standard modular fixtures to create a semi-custom configuration that will still serve you well. Or consider sticking with a standard finish rather than more costly custom materials or finishes.

The bottom line is that custom kiosk design gives you greater flexibility. You can have every detail just the way you want it, rather than making do. That might spell the difference between lackluster sales and a business that makes you jump for joy on your way to the bank.