A kiosk is a small, temporary, stand-alone booth used in high-traffic areas for marketing purposes. Kiosks are generally small booths set up in high-traffic areas, such as shopping centers, airports, hotel lobbies, apartment offices, or other hospitality businesses. They may be manned by individuals who sell a product or service, or they may be electronic, providing consumers with a self-service-style experience. Kiosks are also used for digital displays that offer internet access to the public and are designed to improve customer experience, not drive sales. Kiosks are usually wall-mounted or stand-alone digital devices that users can use at their own pace, and they accelerate transactions and facilitate ease of payment. Kiosks are also great for marketing purposes because they allow businesses to engage with users through an interactive digital experience.
Historically, a kiosk was a small garden pavilion open on some or all sides common in Persia, the Indian subcontinent, and in the Ottoman Empire from the 13th century onward. As a building type, it was first introduced by the Seljuks as a small building attached to the main mosque, which consisted of a domed hall with open arched sides. An electronic kiosk (or computer kiosk or interactive kiosk) houses a computer terminal that often employs custom kiosk software designed to function while preventing users from accessing system functions.
In summary, a kiosk is a small, temporary, stand-alone booth used in high-traffic areas for marketing purposes, digital displays, and self-service transactions. Historically, a kiosk was a small garden pavilion open on some or all sides.
