You probably have one sitting in a drawer right now: an old tablet that's too slow for games, a laptop your kid used in middle school, or a computer you replaced two years ago. Before you donate it or let it collect more dust, consider this—that device already has everything it needs to become a professional digital sign for your business.
Digital signage doesn't require expensive specialized hardware. If a device can open a web browser, it can display your menu, promotions, welcome messages, or announcements. This guide shows you exactly how to turn that old hardware into a working display in about 30 minutes, with no monthly fees and no technical expertise required.
What You'll Need
The requirements are simpler than you might expect. Here's the complete list:
- An old laptop, tablet, or desktop computer. Any device made in the last 8-10 years should work fine. iPads, Android tablets, Windows laptops, Chromebooks, and even older Mac computers all qualify. The device just needs to run a modern web browser.
- A display. This could be the device's built-in screen, or you can connect it to a TV or monitor. Most TVs made in the last decade have an HDMI input that works with laptops.
- An internet connection. Wi-Fi is sufficient. You'll need connectivity for initial setup and content updates, though many displays can continue running if the connection drops temporarily.
- A power source. Since your sign will run for extended periods, keep the device plugged in. For tablets, a simple wall mount with a nearby outlet works perfectly.
That's it. No special media players, no proprietary hardware, no software installations.
Why Browser-Based Digital Signage Changes Everything
Traditional digital signage systems require you to buy dedicated media players—small computers specifically designed to run signage software. These typically cost $200-400 per screen, plus ongoing software subscription fees that range from $10-30 per month per display. For a small business wanting three screens, you're looking at $600-1,200 in hardware plus $360-1,080 annually in software costs.
Browser-based signage like OpenSign eliminates both expenses. Because it runs entirely in a web browser, any device you already own becomes the media player. The software is free and open-source, so there are no subscription fees eating into your budget month after month.
This approach also means simpler management. There's nothing to install or update on the display device itself—you manage everything from any computer or phone through a web dashboard. If your display device dies, you don't lose your content or settings. Just grab another old device, open the browser, log in, and you're back up in minutes.
Step-by-Step Setup: From Drawer to Display
Let's walk through the actual process. For this example, I'll use an old Android tablet, but the steps are nearly identical for any device.
Step 1: Prepare your device (5 minutes)
Start by charging your old device and making sure it connects to your Wi-Fi network. If it's been sitting unused, you may need to run some system updates—do this now to avoid interruptions later.
Clear out apps you won't need. On a tablet dedicated to signage, you want minimal distractions and maximum performance. Remove games, social media apps, and anything else that might send notifications or slow things down. If possible, perform a factory reset and only set up Wi-Fi and a browser.
For tablets, enable the setting that keeps the screen on while charging. On Android, this is usually in Settings > Developer Options > Stay Awake. On iPads, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and set it to "Never."
Step 2: Create your OpenSign account (3 minutes)
Visit opensign.us from any computer or your phone. Create a free account—you'll just need an email address. No credit card required, no trial period to worry about.
Once you're in the dashboard, you'll see options to create your first display. OpenSign will generate a unique URL for your screen. This URL is what you'll open on your display device.
Step 3: Design your first content (10-15 minutes)
Before pointing your display device at OpenSign, take a few minutes to create something worth showing. The dashboard lets you upload images, add text, embed websites, and arrange content into playlists that rotate automatically.
For your first display, keep it simple. A welcome message with your business name and logo is a solid starting point. You can add complexity later—the goal right now is getting something live on screen.
Consider what would be most useful for your specific location. A restaurant lobby might show today's specials. A salon waiting area could display services and pricing. A gym entrance might feature class schedules. Start with one or two content pieces that provide immediate value to the people who'll see them.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER: Screenshot of OpenSign dashboard showing content creation interface
Step 4: Connect your display device (5 minutes)
Now pick up that old tablet or laptop. Open the web browser—Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge all work fine. Navigate to the unique display URL that OpenSign generated for you.
Your content should appear immediately. If you're using a tablet, rotate it to landscape orientation for that professional widescreen look. On a laptop connected to a TV, you may need to adjust the display settings to extend or mirror your screen.
For a cleaner presentation, put the browser in full-screen mode. On most browsers, pressing F11 (Windows/Chromebook) or Control+Command+F (Mac) removes the address bar and tabs, leaving just your content filling the entire screen.
Step 5: Mount and position (5-10 minutes)
Where you place your sign matters as much as what's on it. A few principles to keep in mind:
- Eye level or slightly above works best for standing viewers. For seated waiting areas, lower positions are more natural.
- Avoid direct sunlight on the screen, which washes out visibility and can overheat devices over time.
- Consider viewing distance. Text that looks fine up close becomes unreadable from across the room. If people will view from 10+ feet away, use larger fonts and simpler layouts.
- Keep power cables tidy and hidden. Cable management clips or raceways make the difference between "professional installation" and "tablet taped to wall."
For tablets, inexpensive wall mounts designed for iPads or Android tablets run $15-40 and provide a clean, secure installation. Some even include charging cables that route through the wall for a completely wireless look.
IMAGE PLACEHOLDER: Example of a cleanly mounted tablet display in a business setting
Making the Most of Limited Hardware
Older devices have less processing power and memory than current models, but digital signage doesn't demand much. A few adjustments ensure smooth performance:
Stick to static images and simple animations. While OpenSign supports video, older devices may struggle with high-definition playback. If video is important, use shorter clips at 720p rather than 1080p or 4K.
Limit the number of content items in rotation. Three to five pieces rotating every 10-15 seconds is plenty for most applications. More content means more memory usage, which can cause lag on older devices.
Restart the device periodically. Even with optimized content, browsers accumulate memory usage over time. A weekly restart—easily automated on most devices—keeps things running smoothly.
Disable unnecessary system features. Turn off Bluetooth if you're not using it. Disable location services. Close background apps. Every resource you free up goes toward displaying your content reliably.
The beauty of browser-based signage is that if something does go wrong, recovery is simple. Close the browser, reopen it, and your display is back. No complex troubleshooting required.
Content Ideas to Get You Started
A blank screen is intimidating. Here are proven content types organized by business type to spark some ideas:
Retail stores: Feature products currently on sale, announce new arrivals, display your social media handles with a follow prompt, or show customer reviews and testimonials.
Restaurants and cafes: Digital menu boards are the obvious choice, but also consider daily specials, happy hour countdowns, staff picks, or behind-the-scenes photos of your kitchen.
Service businesses (salons, spas, repair shops): Display your service menu with pricing, show before-and-after photos of your work, promote loyalty programs, or feature team member profiles.
Professional offices (doctors, dentists, lawyers): Welcome messages personalized by day, health tips or educational content, estimated wait times, or new patient information.
Gyms and fitness studios: Today's class schedule, motivational quotes, member achievements, or promotional offers for referrals.
Churches and community centers: Event announcements, service times, volunteer opportunities, or community news.
Start with content that answers the most common questions you hear from customers. If people constantly ask "What time do you close?" or "Do you take walk-ins?"—put that information on your sign and watch those questions disappear.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
After helping many businesses set up their first displays, certain pitfalls come up repeatedly:
Too much text. Digital signs aren't newspapers. People glance at them for seconds, not minutes. Use short headlines, not paragraphs. If you can't communicate your message in under 10 words, simplify it.
Cluttered layouts. White space isn't wasted space—it's what makes your content readable. Resist the urge to fill every pixel. One clear message beats five competing ones.
Outdated content. Nothing undermines your sign's credibility like promoting last month's sale or yesterday's special. Set a recurring reminder to review and update your content at least weekly.
Poor contrast and readability. Dark text on light backgrounds (or vice versa) is essential. Avoid busy background images that compete with your text. Test readability from the actual viewing distance.
Ignoring the environment. A screen in a bright window needs different brightness settings than one in a dim hallway. Adjust your display settings to match the lighting conditions.
What to Do When Things Go Wrong
Technology occasionally misbehaves. Here's how to handle the most common issues:
The screen shows a browser error or won't load. Check your internet connection first—this is the culprit 90% of the time. If Wi-Fi is working, close the browser completely and reopen it. Still not working? Restart the device.
Content isn't updating after you make changes. Browser caching can cause delays. On the display device, force a refresh (usually Ctrl+Shift+R or Cmd+Shift+R). Changes should appear within a few seconds.
The screen keeps going to sleep. Revisit the display settings on your device. Most have options to prevent sleep while charging, but updates sometimes reset these preferences.
The device runs hot. This is normal during extended use, but excessive heat shortens device life. Ensure adequate ventilation—don't mount the device flush against a wall in an enclosed frame. If overheating persists, reduce screen brightness.
Video stutters or plays poorly. Older devices struggle with video. Try reducing video resolution, shortening clip length, or switching to animated images (GIFs) instead. Static images are always the most reliable option.
Taking It Further
Once your first display is running smoothly, you might wonder what else is possible. A few ideas for expanding:
Add more screens. The same OpenSign account can manage multiple displays, each showing different content. A restaurant might have one screen for the menu and another for promotions. A retail store could have different content in the window versus at the checkout counter.
Schedule content for different times. Morning customers might see breakfast specials while evening visitors see dinner options. OpenSign's scheduling feature lets you automate these changes so you're not manually updating content multiple times per day.
Incorporate live information. Display your social media feed, show real-time weather, or embed a calendar with today's events. Dynamic content keeps your sign fresh without constant manual updates.
Connect multiple locations. If you have more than one business location, you can push the same content to all of them simultaneously or customize each location's display while managing everything from one dashboard.
The Bottom Line
That old tablet gathering dust represents an opportunity, not a burden. For zero additional hardware cost and no monthly software fees, you can have professional digital signage running in your business this afternoon.
The barriers that once made digital signage expensive and complicated—specialized hardware, proprietary software, technical expertise—simply don't apply anymore. A web browser and an internet connection are all you need.
Pick up that old device, charge it up, and give it a new purpose. Your customers will notice the professionalism. Your staff will appreciate answering fewer repetitive questions. And you'll wonder why you didn't do this sooner.
Ready to get started? Create your free OpenSign account at opensign.us and have your first display running in under 30 minutes. No credit card required, no software to install, no monthly fees—ever.