26 Tips to Make Your Vending Machine Stand Out 

For your vending machine to be successful, it needs to get noticed by customers. But it can be hard to get your customers’ attention. Here are a few tips to make your vending machine stand out, from new products to fun signs to discounts and more.

Consider Your Audience

To make your vending machine stand out, consider who is most likely to visit your machine and where it’s located. For example, if your snack or soda machine is located in an office lobby or break room, it’s probably seen by the same people every day, and it might start to fade into the background for them. By contrast, if you have an ice and water machine located on a popular commuter route, people might not notice it because they are focused on driving.

When you consider your audience and the obstacles that might cause them not to notice your vending machine, it will be easier to get your machine to stand out. The following are a few likely obstacles your audience might have with your machine.

• Overlooked: Maybe your machine is simply blending into the background, and not getting noticed. Something bright and eye-catching might be best in this case.
• Disinterest: Potential customers might notice your machine, and they might not be dissuaded in any particular way, but they’re just not inspired to make a purchase. Prizes, giveaways, or similar strategies might be helpful here.
• Not Competitive: If there’s another business nearby providing your same products, your vending machine must be competitive in some way. You might highlight lower prices, better or different products, or other advantages.
• Wrong Products: Maybe your products and your customers just aren’t lining up. For example, if your vending machine is located near a gym or fitness center, it’s important to consider healthy beverages and snacks.
• Lacking Features: Customers may want to make a purchase, but your vending machine is making it difficult for them. For example, machines that don’t accept credit or debit cards will lose business. Or maybe your customers want to make purchases using their smartphone.

IHA ice and water vending machines support in-app purchases, touchless vending, and remote monitoring
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Tips to Make Your Vending Machine Stand Out

Once you’ve considered your audience, location, and the obstacles you’re facing, it’s time to engage solutions. Take a look at these tips to make your vending machine stand out, and see what might work for you.

Boost Your Machine’s Appearance

Making your machine visually more appealing and noticeable is a simple and effective way to make your machine stand out. There are plenty of ways to go about this.

1. Bright Colors and Unique Patterns: Use bold, vibrant colors or eye-catching patterns on your machine to make your vending machine instantly noticeable. Several free easy-to-use graphic design tools make it easy to create eye-catching visuals.
2. Clear Signage: Incorporate signs around your vending machine near high-traffic areas. This might include a busy road, sidewalk, sitting area, or something else. Make sure your text is visible from a distance, and your colors are readable.
3. Custom Wrapping: Consider a custom wrap with your brand’s logo, mascot, or a fun design that relates to the products inside.
4. LED Lighting: Install LED lights around the machine or inside the product display area to draw attention, especially in low-light environments.
5. Motion Sensors: Install motion sensors that trigger sounds, lights, or even a short animation when someone walks by.
6. Seasonal Themes: Decorate the vending machine according to the season or holidays, such as Halloween, Christmas, or summer.
7. Product-Themed Designs: Align the machine’s design with the products it offers, like a health-themed machine for healthy snacks or a retro design for vintage candies.

Spreading the Word

The people who live and work close to your machine are the most likely customers. Spread the word and make sure they’re aware your machine is there.

8. Businesses: Talk with the business owners and employees working near your vending machine. Make sure they know it’s there, and offer a discount or free vend, if you can.

9. Flyers: Print out flyers to share with people nearby including homes, apartment buildings, or even hotels or office buildings. Include a small map to show where your vending machine is located, and include any QR codes for apps or games associated with your machine.

10. QR Codes: Where appropriate, use stickers with QR codes and a short, intriguing phrase like “ice cold water this way.” Customers can scan the QR code, see where your machine is located, and take advantage of any discounts.

Discounts and Giveaways

Not all machines have the ability to provide discounts or giveaways but, if you do, this can be a great way to entice customers to visit your machine.

11. Discounted items: As many as 80% of consumers say they will try a new brand if they have a discount. Clearly highlight some discounted items, so customers can take advantage of a good deal.

12. In-app discounts: If customers can use an app to make a purchase, encourage their purchase and a repeat visit by providing discounts in the app.

IHA machines can use the ICE2U app to give customers access to rewards, discounts, and touchless purchases
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13. Giveaways: Give your customer a chance to win a prize when they make a purchase. You might include a special code with different items that customers can use to enter a giveaway.

14. Rewards: Allowing purchases in an app can also allow you to reward customers who make repeat purchases, helping you generate regular, consistent business.

Unique Products

Unique products are another way to make your vending machine stand out. If other stores or machines nearby tend to provide the same products, consider how you could change things up.

15. Health Food: About 50% of Americans say they are trying to eat healthier. Adding healthy foods can help your snack vending machine stand out. This might include anything from packages of pickled veggies to complete salads.

16. Fun Items: Consider what fun or unique items you might add to your vending machine. For example, would your customers be interested in collectibles, fidget toys, makeup, or gift cards?

17. Useful Items: Consider useful items that your customers might be missing, run out of, or left at home, such as chargers, headphones, wet wipes, hand sanitizer or smartphone SIM cards.

18. Limited Edition Products: Offer exclusive or limited-time products that can only be found in your vending machine.

19. Custom Bundles: Create custom bundles or surprise packs that appeal to your customer’s curiosity.

Social Media

Social media can be a great way to give your vending machines a visibility boost. It can also help you engage with customers, and show off discounts or special products.

20. Sharing: User-generated content is a great way to make your vending machine stand out online. Encourage customers to share their vending machine products on social media with a branded hashtag for a chance to win a prize.

21. Videos: People share video content at twice the rate of other types of content. Consider sharing videos that might highlight new products or show off discounts.

22. Behind-the-Scenes: Behind-the-scenes or BTS videos give customers a closer look at something that might be uncommon or often hidden. Consider sharing BTS videos of your machine, such as how you choose products, how you refill the machine, or an inside look at how it works.

Additional Features

Consider what additional features you might add in or around your vending machine to encourage customers to spend time there.

23. Charging Station: Add USB ports or wireless charging pads so customers can charge their devices while they make a purchase.

24. In-app purchases: If your machine supports the technology, allow your customers to make in-app purchases, so they don’t need a credit card or cash.

25. Rest spot: If possible, you might add a bench, shady spot, or another comfortable area where customers can enjoy a rest.

26. Multiple Machines: Consider adding different types of machines, so customers can get ice and water, coffee, snacks, or other items if they prefer. This can help you attract different types of customers with different needs.

Try these tips to make your vending machine stand out, attract new customers, and build up your vending machine business!