Operating a portable kiosk can be a brilliant business move. They offer the opportunity for small business owners to interact with large amounts of people for a reasonably low-cost, with little capital needed at all. Outdoor portable kiosks are great for selling food or souvenirs at fairs or festivals. A portable information kiosk can provide the chance to compete among big names for recognition at a trade show. Retailers can test products in a market without an investment.

A kiosk is portable and can change location to follow crowds or foot traffic to increase sales. Before getting supplies for ultra-portable kiosks, you must first:

1. Determine which functions of ultra-portable kiosk are essential to your purpose, whether you are selling products, serving food or simply giving out information.

2. Think critically about location. A major benefit of ultra-portable kiosks is their mobility, but will your kiosk be in the shadow of larger kiosks or get lost among major stores?

3. Consider saving money by using portable kiosks for rent, but understand that supply needs may change with different kiosks.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a cash register for portable retail kiosks

Cash registers are an essential component of any retail operation. Whether you go with sophisticated point-of-sale machines or basic ones, a highly portable register is necessary for use in an ultra-portable kiosk.

I recommend: Find several models and brands of battery-operated lightweight cash registers at CashRegisters2Go.com. Increase sales by accepting credit and debit card payments using battery operated portable credit card readers from Mag-Stripe.com.

Include a stool in your supplies for ultra-portable kiosks

Make operating a portable kiosk much more pleasant by having a stool for workers to sit on and rest their feet. Chairs do not work because they sit too low and do not make the worker visible over the kiosk or cart.

I recommend: View a wide variety of stools at BizChair.com. Find ultra-portable director's chairs, in different heights, that fold up to go with ultra-portable kiosks from Everywhere Chair.

Find storage within a portable lightweight kiosk

Some portable kiosks and carts are designed to be hollow on the inside with one or two small shelves to store products, literature or cash registers within. The storage should be lockable for locations in which the kiosks are stationary for periods of time but not always manned, such as portable mall kiosks.

I recommend: Have a look at ultra-portable kiosks with built-in storage by Skyline Exhibits or Intercept Corporation.

Graphics for portable information booths

Great graphics are essential for getting potential customers to your kiosk. The graphics need to be large enough to see from a distance and grab attention. They should be informative and easy to set up and take down with your ultra-portable kiosk.

I recommend: Find durable graphic panels of any size, banners that can roll or fold up easily and table-top graphics at Portable Graphics. Look at flexible graphics banners with pop-up stands available at KoolPrint.com.

Make a kiosk portable with a carrying case

An ultra-portable kiosk is even more mobile with a portable carrying case for it to travel in. Highly durable cases are needed to protect and secure a portable computer kiosk.

I recommend: Get a custom carrying case made for your kiosk by Star Case Manufacturing Co. Find carrying cases made in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and materials from Flexi Display Marketing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Supplies for ultra-portable kiosks must include the proper permits and licenses, such as a permit from the health department for serving food, a retail licence for selling products and permits from local malls or events to set up a portable kiosk.

Whether you need a simple information kiosk or an interactive portable computer kiosk, you can find ultra-portable options that make transfer, set up and take down easy. You can buy kiosks to use repeatedly, or get portable kiosks for one-time or multiple rental.

1. Choose a kiosk that accommodates your needs for shelving, space for storage, computer equipment, large graphics or interactive displays.

2. Look for lightweight ultra-portable kiosks that you can assemble easily.

3. Work with a company that will design a kiosk to meet your needs, or choose a pre-made kiosk that fits your budget.

Kiosks come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. Keep your overall company image in mind when choosing a portable kiosk to use as a marketing tool.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find portable kiosks for rent

If you need a kiosk for one event, consider renting from companies with large selections of portable kiosks.

I recommend: Rent a portable computer kiosk from Kiosks 4 Rent. If you need a portable kiosk without computer capabilities, try a kiosk display, big or small, from The Godfrey Group.

Portable lightweight kiosks

A tubular-made kiosk is a very portable kiosk option that's lightweight and easy to assemble.

I recommend: Look at Skyline Tube Ultra Marketing Kiosks for the tubular-type kiosk. Transport the tube kiosks easily inside one case, and set them up easily. Skyline uses tubes to create the kiosk structure. Add customizable cloth graphics to make your kiosk your own.

Make your portable information kiosk Earth-friendly

When your company has an eco-friendly message to convey, make your kiosk portable and green. Using an Earth-friendly kiosk is a great way to get more customers interested.

I recommend: The PodForum offers aluminum braced kiosks with cloth graphics. These lightweight ultra-portable kiosks have a minimal impact on the environment. All pods are custom made to your specifications. You choose the size, colors, lighting options and any add-ons to meet your portable kiosk needs.

Find a tradeshow portable kiosk

Whether you need a portable computer kiosk or a portable information kiosk for a tradeshow, your business has choices.

I recommend: Make your trade show booth ultra portable by ordering a display that can be easily set up and taken down. Tradeshow set up times are often limited, so it's important to find a kiosk you can assemble quickly.

Make sales easy with a portable lightweight kiosk

Choose from kiosks made of plastic, cardboard, aluminum or cloth. Find a kiosk on wheels if you'll be moving your vending location often.

I recommend: Find ultra-portable kiosks to use in grocery stores that are lightweight and easy to assemble. If your business is on the move, inside or out, use portable retail kiosks on wheels.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Your portable kiosk may be the largest marketing tool you have at tradeshows or other display areas. Make the most of the advertising space you have on the kiosk with good graphics and information.

A portable information kiosk is used by many businesses at trade shows and promotional events. The portable kiosk is simple to assemble, makes traveling with your equipment easy, and can provide your trade show exhibit with the promotional space you need to sell your products, services and new ideas for the industry.

There are many types of portable kiosks for rent or sale. Each of them has special features; a kiosk may be lightweight, made for the outdoors, or have interactive capabilities. No matter what type you use, you can find ultra-portable kiosks education and training from:

1. Assembly instructions from kiosk portable manufacturers and distributors.

2. Setup and design ideas for attracting people to your exhibit.

3. Online resources that offer guidance on advertising techniques through kiosk space.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn how to assemble and tear down a portable computer kiosk

The first thing you need to know when buying a portable computer kiosk, or any other type of kiosk for a trade show, is how to properly assemble it and take it down when you are through. Knowing this will prevent damage to your products. You also want to make sure your staff and those who visit your kiosk will be safe.

I recommend: Skyline, which manufacturers many types of portable displays, offers setup instructions and graphics for its line of kiosk products. SeePoint offers product manuals and instructions for those who choose its interactive touch screen kiosks.

Consider design ideas for your portable information booths

Once you have your portable information booths set up, the next task is find a way to design it. You must consider this carefully, because you have to find ways to attract customers to your kiosk with a limited amount of space. The best way to get ideas is to check out examples of trade show setups and find elements that will work for your own display.

I recommend: Media Works provides many pictures of trade show kiosks that use the company's display products and creative design services. Exhibit Solutions provides a design gallery that offers many unique ideas for your own kiosk displays.

Explore resources that can help you learn more about using a portable lightweight kiosk

Whether you use a standard kiosk or a touch screen kiosk, you will want to learn more about how the technology works, how to set it up, and also how to properly store the kiosk for travel.

I recommend: U-Touch provides a video that shows the best features of its U Touch portable kiosk system. U-Touch also provides videos related to its other U-Touch kiosk systems. If you have a traditional kiosk setup, check out the detailed assembly instructions from Bowman Displays.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you want to use a portable interactive kiosk, make sure to read all the directions before setting up the system. This can save time if you have a troubleshoot later.

Ultra-portable kiosks are a popular choice for companies that spend a lot of time traveling from one trade show to the next. A portable computer kiosk or retail kiosk typically involves mechanisms for convenient set up, as well as lightweight materials for easy transport. While most kiosks are priced between $200 and $800, you can expect to pay more for models that are lighter weight and simpler to set up.

Because portable information booths are often large and designed to attract attention while also displaying company information, even ultra-portable kiosks often involve many parts and components. Part of the ultra-portable kiosks pricing and costs you should consider, then, are the costs that go into accessories and replacement parts, as well as carrying cases for getting your portable lightweight kiosk from here to there.

Estimate ultra-portable kiosks pricing and costs with the following resources:

1. Find a range of prices for kiosk portable displays;

2. Assess the cost of parts and accessories for portable retail kiosks;

3. Buy a case for easy transport of your portable kiosk.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Browse prices on different designs for your portable information kiosk

Trade show booth ultra portable options are an increasingly common choice among businesses that spend a lot of time traveling on the road, and a number of options are available to fit your budget. A portable kiosk price may include the display frame online, or a display with custom graphics and carrying case. Check product details on any order to make sure you know what components will be included.

I recommend: Convention Displays sells complete trade show kiosk portable packages for $400 to $825, which includes the display and a carrying case. Airborne Displays sells the display only for $180 to $580, with custom graphics priced between $250 and $350 depending on the model.

Budget for accessories and replacement parts for your portable kiosk

A portable information kiosk may also require a number of different replacement parts on hand, including light bulbs and electrical equipment. These accessories are typically inexpensive, under $25, while trade show flooring, another popular element of portable kiosk displays, can cost several hundred dollars depending on the size and material.

I recommend: Nomadic Display offers a range of component parts and replacement light bulbs and wiring from $10 to $25. You can also find budget tile flooring for your trade show portable kiosk from Mod Displays for $195 to $395 for a complete floor system.

Save on shipping costs with a case for your portable information kiosk

A carrying case can be a cost effective option for transporting your ultra-portable kiosks, while cases can also be customized to carry fragile electronics or components of a portable computer kiosk. Expect to pay several hundred dollars for a high quality carrying case, and for foam padding and dividers to add to the cost.

I recommend: Exhibit Zone sells a wide range of hard cases for transporting your portable kiosk, priced from $120 to $520. Pelican Cases also sells a number of different options, with empty cases costing $18 to $300, and additional costs added for interior foam padding or dividers to customize your case.