What to Do After Your Billboard Goes Live
You’ve finally made it to the last stage of the billboard journey: actually reserving it and then watching it go live before your eyes. Now that you’ve reached the finish line, there are a few things to be aware of and to expect after your billboard goes live which can greatly affect the success of your campaign.
While out-of-home (OOH) advertising is known for its inherent strong awareness and visibility abilities, brands still need to play a part in monitoring its performance; especially after the launch date. Brands that closely monitor their billboards after they’re live are in a stronger position to maximize performance, reinforce messaging, and ride on the momentum their format creates.
Here’s exactly what advertisers should focus on once their billboard is live.
1) Confirm Placement & Creative Accuracy
The first step seems simple but it is a critical part of the OOH post-launch process. You have to ensure that your billboard is live exactly as it was planned.
Make sure to check that:
- The creative is correctly displayed.
- Contrast and colors look right in real-world lighting.
- Messaging is legible from a distance.
- Digital rotations are operating as they were programmed and scheduled to (digital out–of-home).
Catching any errors early in the process ensures that the campaign delivers the full value of the placement.
2) Support the Billboard through Digital Channels
Billboards perform even better when they are reinforced through digital channels. After launch, align your other advertising and marketing channels to support the message display on your placement.
This can include:
- Paid search on branded keywords.
- Social media content that references the campaign.
- Landing pages tailored to billboard messaging.
- Geo-targeted ads near the billboard location.
Honing in on your cross-channel approach helps to capture interest and convert it; especially when it’s generated through real-world OOH exposure.
3) Track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
While billboards are easily trackable via clicks, impressions, and time spent viewing; they can still be measured. After launch, make sure to monitor metrics like:
- Website traffic trends.
- Branded search volume increases.
- Store visits or foot traffic (if applicable).
- Phone calls or inquiries.
- General engagement spikes on social media platforms.
These signals help advertisers understand how billboards are influencing behaviors and whether their campaign set up is actually working.
Now Let It Work!
OOH advertising builds impact through consistent repetition. Unlike digital ads delivering immediate trackable feedback, billboards gain strength as audiences see them repeatedly during daily routines.
Avoid judging performance too early in the campaign. Most billboard campaigns require consistent exposure over several weeks to deliver their full effect.
Going live with a billboard is just the beginning. By staying engaged after launch, advertisers can sustain their message’s success and continue to drive awareness, trust, and growth.