Location-based applications are one of the top tools for most types of businesses. However, they simply aren’t necessary for many companies, who might be fine sticking with a traditional application.
So, let’s look at what location-based applications are and the advantages they’ll offer to your company in the future.
What are location-based applications?
Before we get into the discussion about whether a location-based application is needed for your company, let’s look at what location-based applications offer. A wide variety of companies use this technology, thanks to the benefits it offers. These allow you to track and share more of your data with customers. You can see where they are and what they are up to.
With location-based applications, users can find out how to get to their nearest store or restaurant. They can also learn more about the businesses surrounding them and let others track their movements. One of the biggest concerns with this type of technology is security. However, over recent years, updates to this technology are improving security. This allows users to have more control over their privacy and security when using location-based applications.
Examples of location-based applications
When we discuss location-based applications, the first one that always comes to mind is Google Maps. However, this isn’t the only good example of this type of technology. Foursquare was one of the first apps to encourage people to check in to other locations. Companies such as Facebook now use this technology as well. It’s a free solution for businesses and users and has only continued to grow from strength to strength
A unique location-based application is Dark Sky, which offers its own take on a weather app. It offers a weather forecast for your exact location. The app will notify you minute by minute of changes in the local area. A fun example of location-based applications is Pokémon Go. This app just goes to show that location-based applications can also be a form of entertainment. You interact with the local area to find your newest Pokémon. This offers users a personalised experience based on where they are in the world.
Benefits of location-based applications
If you are thinking about using a location-based application within your business, you need to research whether this technology would be beneficial to your organisation. These are a few of the common advantages businesses experience. You’ll see all of these benefits when you start building a location-based app with our team.
Increased user interaction
When a location-based application is used correctly, you’ll find that it encourages more users to interact with your business. Geolocation apps allow you to find other people’s smartphones. While this won’t work in every situation, if someone is just walking past your store, it can be a useful tool in shopping centres or areas where people gather or spend a long time.
The user interaction you have will also become far more relevant. Instead of targeting customers who live nowhere near your business, you’ll be able to attract an audience that’s nearby. You’ll be able to send out relevant and timely offers. These will push up your sales and increase interest in your company.
Personalised marketing
Customers in different parts of the country have different needs and expectations. Thanks to location-based applications, you’ll be able to customise marketing to different stores and locations. This will be beneficial to both your users and your company, who will notice a huge increase in the uptake of these promotions. As a business, you’ll find that you reach a much more relevant audience.
The efficiency of your promotions increases, and user satisfaction will also skyrocket. You can also use this to attract customers with all budgets. If you know one area is more likely to purchase a specific product or service, you can focus on this as opposed to other promotions that might be more successful elsewhere.
Immediate communication
One of the biggest challenges for business owners today is getting the attention of customers before they move on to their competition. Location-based applications allow you to communicate with your potential and existing customers. You can use real-time communication to keep them up to date with what’s going on in your company. If your customers opt-in to your app, you can also send them alerts or emails when you have a promotion running.
This is a great way to boost sales during key times in your business year, such as approaching the holidays or during Boxing Day sales. You can send offers to customers based on their previous spending habits. From there, you’ll be much more likely to attract their business and push your company further during the upcoming months.
More targeted marketing efforts
As a business owner, it can be hard to know where and when to spend your time and resources on marketing. Instead of creating generic marketing campaigns, which might not be a success, you can create more targeted marketing campaigns. These could be based on a user profile, budget, or location, and you can then push them out to the relevant customers via your app.
When your customers opt-in to sharing data on an app, you can use this to learn more about their spending habits. Instead of guessing what sales they would be interested in, you’ll have a much stronger idea about how they will spend their money with your company. Use this to send them relevant promotions which will entice them back into your business or store.
Summing up
As you can see, there are so many reasons why a company would opt to use location-based bespoke software applications.
Are you interested in building a location-based application for your company? BSPOKE Software is here to support you from start to finish as you design your dream app.
Contact us today for more information and to start working together on an application that will transform the way you target potential and existing customers.
