Billboard advertising is still one of the most effective ways to get the attention of the widest audience. Be it static or digital, billboards offer a strong visual medium for brands intending to build visibility and awareness. However, it is important to understand the cost of billboards, especially for businesses looking at this route of advertising. Using a billboard for advertisements in Canada will vary depending on many variables – such as the type, size and location of the billboard. This blog will outline the costs for both static and digital displays, which will help you determine the best outdoor advertising investments for your brand.
Types of Billboards: Static vs. Digital
In billboard advertising, the first step is to choose between traditional static billboards and digital ones. Both are advantageous, but at the same time, they also differ quite drastically in cost and features.
Static Billboards
Static billboards are the classic choice. These boards use printed vinyl or paper in their displays, which remain static for several weeks or months. While these provide a consistent display of your ad, they don’t have many dynamic features found with digital boards.
Digital Billboards
These use LED technology to showcase rotating advertisements in dynamic ways. There are many billboard displays on which an advertiser may change the content in real-time. Such billboards provide huge flexibility, but they require a higher upfront investment and overall high cost.
Size of Billboard: Big vs. Small
Billboard sizes also vary, and this variation has a direct impact on the price. Two of the most common sizes are:
Small Billboards: normally 10’x20 feet. Billboards in this category typically line local roads and are therefore more affordable, catering to businesses focused on a smaller geographical area.
Large Billboards: usually 14′ x 48 feet. These big boards normally border highways or places that enjoy heavy human traffic within big cities. Because of their size and placement, they will cost much higher than the smaller ones.
Location: Urban vs. Rural
The price largely depends on the location of your billboard. The general rule of thumb is that the more visibility that the location can offer, the higher the cost.
Urban Areas: Billboards in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal command a premium price because they are viewed by more people. This high visibility thus translates into higher rent and installation costs.
Rural/Suburban: Signs put up in less populated areas, like rural highways or suburban areas, are often relatively cheaper. Also, they might not reach a large number of people.
Details of Price Breakup
| Cost Component | Static Billboards | Digital Billboards |
| Construction and Installation Costs | ||
| Structure and Frame | CAD 10,000 – CAD 50,000 | CAD 20,000 – CAD 100,000 |
| Printing and Installation (Ad) | CAD 500 – CAD 3,000 | N/A |
| LED Display Screen | N/A | CAD 50,000 – CAD 200,000 (medium)CAD 200,000 – CAD 400,000 (large) |
| Electrical and Connectivity Setup | N/A | CAD 5,000 – CAD 25,000 |
| Monthly Operating Costs | ||
| Electricity | N/A | CAD 500 – CAD 1,000 |
| Maintenance | N/A | CAD 2,000 – CAD 5,000 annually |
| Monthly Rental Costs | ||
| Urban Areas | CAD 3,000 – CAD 10,000 | CAD 10,000 – CAD 30,000 |
| Rural/Suburban Areas | CAD 1,000 – CAD 3,000 | CAD 5,000 – CAD 15,000 |
| Total Initial Investment | ||
| Static Billboards | CAD 10,500 – CAD 53,000 | N/A |
| Digital Billboards | N/A | CAD 75,000 – CAD 525,000 |
| Additional Costs | ||
| Permits and Regulatory Fees | CAD 500 – CAD 20,000 | CAD 500 – CAD 20,000 |
| Design and Content Creation | CAD 500 – CAD 5,000 | CAD 500 – CAD 5,000 |
Outdoor billboard advertising in Canada offers an opportunity for businesses to reach very large audiences, but the costs can vary significantly. Static billboards are the cheap variant that carries a low setup fee, along with lower monthly fees. Digital billboards, on the other hand, are very popular options due to their dynamic content capabilities, but they usually come with much higher costs compared to traditional ones. Knowing these varying costs, the appropriate billboard type, size, and location, every company can plan its advertising budget and increase its visibility among a sea of competitors. Whether you aim to capture local foot traffic or create a lasting impression on busy city highways, billboard advertising can be tailored to fit your needs.
