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Turning Impressions into Action: The New Clickable Billboard
Clicks, impressions, and conversions measure every ad in our digital marketing landscape. Of course, traditional billboards might seem like a throwback. But modern marketers know better—billboards are far from outdated.
When used strategically, today’s billboards can drive measurable online engagement. Whether it’s a web visit, a phone call, or a Google search, a billboard can spark real, trackable action—if it’s designed to do so.
In this post, we’ll break down what makes a billboard “clickable” in today’s environment: how to integrate it into your digital marketing strategy and how to design it to drive leads and conversions, not just eyeballs.
Why “Clickable” Matters in Billboard Advertising
“Clickable” doesn’t mean physically clickable. It means the billboard creates a clear and immediate pathway for a viewer to interact with your brand digitally, through a website, a search engine, a phone number, or even a branded term they’ll remember later.
Clickable billboards:
- Inspire direct action
- Are integrated into your online campaigns
- Connect physical impressions with digital responses
In a market where consumers expect convenience and clarity, this is a game-changer.
6 Strategies for Making a Billboard “Clickable”
Let’s break down how to make a billboard act more like a digital ad—driving engagement, traffic, and conversions.
1. Use Simple, Direct Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
The strongest billboards tell people exactly what to do next—in 7 words or less.
Examples of clickable CTAs:
- “Search Gatlin Heat & Air”
- “Visit StrongestCashOffer.com”
- “Call Now for a Free Estimate”
- “Find Homes Near You Today”
Avoid vague phrases like “Learn More” or “We’re the Best.” Instead, focus on an action tied to a customer need.
Why it works: People only have a few seconds to read your message. A clear CTA turns interest into motion.
2. Create Memorable Vanity URLs
You may not have a literal click, but a smart URL gives your audience something easy to type in when they’re ready to learn more.
Examples of effective billboard URLs:
- PrestoBath.com
- CashForNormanHomes.com
- TulsaHomeExperts.com
Avoid slashes, hyphens, and long URL structures. The cleaner, the better.
You can use tracking links behind the scenes to measure traffic that arrives through these vanity domains.
3. Align Your Billboard Message With Your Digital Campaigns
Your billboard shouldn’t exist in a vacuum—it should mirror your digital messaging for consistency and reinforcement.
How to align messages:
- Use the same core CTA across Google Ads and billboards
- Match language from your social media or landing pages
- Tie in seasonal offers or local promotions that are also running online
When your audience sees your billboard, then later encounters your brand on their phone or desktop, the recognition increases the chance they’ll act.
This is where real synergy happens—and it makes your ad spend more efficient across platforms.
4. Speak to the Customer’s Problem or Desire
Billboards that convert don’t brag. They speak to the customer’s situation and show how your brand helps solve it.
Example:
- ❌ “Tulsa’s #1 Roofing Company”
- ✅ “Leaky Roof? Get Help Fast – Call Today”
Instead of making it about your business, make it about why they should care.
The best digital ads do this—and your billboard should too.
5. Use Social Proof or Value Statements
Digital ads rely heavily on credibility. You can do the same with your billboard by including:
- A star rating (e.g., “4.9 Stars on Google”)
- A stat (“10,000+ Satisfied Clients”)
- A strong benefit (“Same-Day HVAC Repairs”)
You don’t need to crowd the board. Just one well-placed trust builder can push viewers to follow through with action.
6. Time and Place Matter—So Place Smartly
A “clickable” billboard isn’t just about design—it’s about placement and timing.
Consider:
- Busy intersections where drivers have dwell time
- Urban corridors where people walk and glance up often
- High-traffic commuter routes for branding + recall
- Locations close to your business or retail store
Also, consider dayparting with digital billboards: running different messages during morning commutes vs. evenings or weekends.
Location + context = action.
Real-World Examples of Clickable Billboard Strategies
Billboards that “click” in 2024 are all around you. Here are a few examples of brands doing it well:
Apple
Apple uses clean billboard designs with product visuals and one-line CTAs like “Shot on iPhone.” It builds intrigue and sends people searching online immediately.
Local Service Providers
Businesses like Morgan & Morgan Attorneys or Strongest Cash Offer use large-font URLs, phone numbers, and clear CTAs (“Get a Cash Offer in 24 Hours”) to drive high-intent leads directly from their boards.
Restaurants and Retail
Quick-serve restaurants often advertise seasonal items with a URL or search prompt (“Try the New [Product] – Search McDonald’s Near Me”).
What They All Do Well:
- Stick to one main action
- Keep design and copy clean
- Reinforce digital presence
- Trackable results when integrated with search and social
How to Measure Billboard “Clickability”
Even though billboards are analog, their digital response is very real—and you can track it.
Here’s what to measure:
- Direct traffic to your vanity URL
- Branded search volume spikes in Google Search Console
- Call tracking (use unique numbers per billboard location)
- Promo code redemptions from billboard-specific offers
- Form submissions from landing pages promoted offline
When you see a lift in direct traffic or search volume right after a billboard goes up, that’s a real signal it’s working.
Bonus: Compare regions with vs. without billboard coverage to see behavioral differences in your digital campaigns.
When Should You Prioritize a Clickable Billboard Strategy?
Not all billboard campaigns are the same. Here’s when a digital integration strategy makes the biggest impact:
- Launching a new business, product, or service
- Entering a new market and building brand recognition
- Seasonal promotions or high-ticket sales windows
- High-competition industries like legal, HVAC, or real estate
- Any campaign that needs direct lead generation
If your goal is brand building over time, traditional boards still work. But when your goal is actionable engagement, clickable strategies are a must.
What the Future Holds for “Clickable” Billboard Design
Even without QR codes, billboards will continue to evolve, bridging the gap between offline and online experiences.
Expect:
- More dynamic digital content with countdowns, pricing, or reviews
- Smarter geolocation retargeting based on who passed your board
- Mobile-first billboard messaging designed to drive search and voice queries
- Growth of short, memorable URLs that act like real-world “calls-to-click”
The key takeaway? People still look up—but they act on their phones. Billboards that acknowledge and guide this behavior will drive the best results.
Visibility is Good—Clickability is Better
A great billboard isn’t just seen—it’s acted on.
If your billboard: ✅ Tells people what to do
✅ Makes it easy to do it
✅ Speaks to a need
✅ Mirrors your digital efforts
✅ Offers proof and credibility
✅ Sends traffic to measurable destinations
…you’re not just running an ad—you’re creating a conversion engine.
Want Your Billboard to Drive More Than Just Impressions?
Whistler Billboards helps businesses craft billboard campaigns that work with your entire marketing ecosystem—from website to social to PPC.
We’ll help you:
- Design conversion-focused boards
- Integrate with your online ads and lead gen
- Select high-visibility locations with strategy in mind
- Track your campaign’s real impact
📞 Let’s make your next billboard work for your brand—online and offline.
👉 Contact us today to start your next campaign.
