In Indonesia, digital ads on billboards have grown quickly in the last few years, especially in cities with a lot of traffic, like Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung. I've worked with brands that spent a lot of money on digital billboards and thought they would get a lot of attention right away. But a lot of them were unhappy with the results. Not because digital billboards don't work, but because small mistakes in strategy slowly hurt performance.
 Let's talk about the most common problems I've seen in the Indonesian market and how to fix them.

1. Not paying attention to how people in the area act in digital billboard ads

People often make the mistake of thinking that what works in other countries will work the same way in Indonesia when they use digital billboards.
Traffic flows differently here. The most common type of vehicle on the road is a motorcycle. Long times to get to work. People look, but they don't stare.
When brands rent space from sewa billboard Indonesia providers, they often use the same global creatives without making any changes to fit the local market. What went wrong? Messages that don't seem to fit together.
Which one works better?

• Messages that are short and bold (5–7 words at most)
• Pictures that are easy to see at a glance
• Using the right words for the local language or culture

It's important to understand digital displays right away, especially in busy traffic areas.

2. Putting too much information on digital billboards

Another common mistake with digital billboards is trying to say too much at once.
I've seen digital billboards that are full of:

• Long slogans
• A few CTAs
• Links to websites, phone numbers, and icons for social media

None of this gets through on a busy road.
 Digital displays and brochures are not the same thing. They are there to help you remember.
To fix this, only send one message at a time.

• One clear step for the brand
• Images with a lot of contrast that are easy to see in the day and at night

Billboards and digital formats usually do better when they have less content.

3. Digital ads on billboards are poorly timed and scheduled

One good thing about digital billboards is that they can be changed, but a lot of advertisers don't use them correctly.
They show the same ad:

• All day, every day, for everyone

That's a missed opportunity.
You can make your messages fit with digital billboards by:

• The trip to work in the morning
• Time for lunch
• Traffic is busiest at night

One of Smart Sewa's smart billboard strategies in Indonesia is to change the ads based on the time of day and the mood of the people who see them. People are more likely to remember things if they see ads in the morning and promotions in the evening.

4. Bad pictures on screens

This one always surprises me.
Companies pay for high-end digital billboards, but then they upload low-resolution ads that are meant for social media. It's easy to see these problems on big digital screens.
Some common issues are:

• Pictures with pixels
• Small fonts
• Not enough contrast between colors

Digital billboards make mistakes look bigger.
Best practice:

• Check to see if your designs look good on large digital displays
• Try out creative work on screens of different sizes
• Change the brightness and contrast so you can see better during the day

5. Choosing a Place for Digital Billboards Without a Plan

There are differences between digital billboards.
I've seen businesses choose places just because they were "available" through sewa billboard Indonesia packages. But being able to see something doesn't mean it's important.
For instance, ask:

• Who passes by here every day?
• Do they take the bus, walk, or drive?
• Does this group of people need your product?

Digital billboard campaigns that work focus on intent, not just impressions.

6. There is no way to tell how well digital billboards work or make them better

A lot of people think that you can't measure digital billboards. That is not the case anymore.
Today, digital billboards let you:

• QR codes
• Geo-fencing
• Research on brand lift

But many brands don't even keep track. Without data, you won't know what to do.
You can tell if your digital displays are working or wasting money with even the simplest ways to keep track of things.

Last Thoughts

From what I've seen, digital ads on billboards in Indonesia work best when they are both simple and strategic. You need to be smart about how you use the technology.

Don't make a mess. Respect how people behave in your area. When you design, don't try to make it perfect. And most importantly, don't think of digital billboards as a separate channel; think of them as part of a larger digital ecosystem.

When used correctly, digital advertising boards and smart sewa billboard Indonesia planning can make a brand much more visible and memorable. Get started

Questions and Answers

What do digital billboards mean?
Digital billboards use screens to show ads that move around. This makes them easier to see and more adaptable than billboards that don't move.

Is it costly to put up a sewa billboard in Indonesia?
The cost of Sewa billboards in Indonesia depends on where they are and how big the screen is, but digital advertising boards usually give you a better return on your money.

What kinds of things look best on digital billboards?
Digital displays look best when they have simple pictures, big text, and a single clear message.

How long should digital ads stay on billboards?
Most digital ads on billboards play for 8 to 15 seconds at a time to get people's attention quickly.

Can you take measurements of digital billboards?
Yes, with the help of QR codes, geo-tracking, and brand lift studies.

Are digital displays good for businesses in the area?
Yes, digital displays are great for reaching local audiences, and in Indonesia, sewa billboards come in a variety of styles. Read the full guide