3 Ways To Capitalize on Mobile Search and Beacons

In the retail world, mobile searches and beacon technology open a number of doors for marketers. Not only do they provide round-the-clock access to consumers, they also allow for location-based marketing, flexible conversion methods and quick and easy communication. In fact, according to the “Global Location Trends Report,” 75 percent of 253 major global markets believe that location-based marketing, a main asset of beacon technology, will play a crucial role in their business this year. Check out these ways you can use mobile search and beacons to boost creativity and results in your marketing strategy:

1. Improve the Shopping Experience

Ever experienced those customers that are frustrated because they can’t find something in your store? And they get even more annoyed that they can’t find someone to help them? With the use of beacons, brands are able to provide customers with the convenience of store navigation and stock lists for each store. By tracking their whereabouts, you can direct customers to what they’re looking for, notify them of whether that dress they’ve been searching for online is in-store and generally monitor their time spent in your store. Imagine how much simpler and satisfying the shopping experience can be for your customer. Not only is their shopping time more efficient, but brands benefit from their satisfaction too. In store, brands will have a better idea of what customers are after and can therefore effectively assist them and drive a higher volume of purchases.

2. Drive Traffic to Store

Together, data retrieved from mobile search and beacon technology is able to assist brands in location-based marketing strategies. Van Leuween, a New York-based ice cream store, used information from consumers PayPal account to track down nearby customers. By doing this, brands have the opportunity to send alerts, notifications and special offers to customers while they’re in the area and more likely to use those discounts. As such, companies maximize customer traffic and initiate loyal customer relationships with a variety of people.

With the introduction of mesh beacons over standard beacons, customers don’t even need Wi-Fi access to make use of these perks, which are instead made available through Bluetooth. The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge facilitates Bluetooth 4.2 in order to use this mesh beacon technology, for example. By simply enabling Bluetooth on their phones, customers instantly have access to mesh beacon technology and are made privy to a variety of helpful tips and promotions and are given access to in-store assistance.

3. Drive Traffic Away from Competitors

There’s no shortage of competition in the retail industry. There are so many options for clothing, groceries and other items that brands have to really work to ensure customers are returning to their store. Through beacons, brands have the chance to figure out when customers are near or in a competitor’s store and incentivize them with promotions to drive them to their store. Whole Foods, for example, made use of this method as they are up against a variety of supermarkets that offer similar products and therefore needed something to stand out.

As a marketer, it’s important to always keep up with latest trends and technologies, like mobile search and beacons. Try using these methods in your marketing strategy to solidify customer relationships and increase the success of your campaigns.

Photo Credit: Provided by Social Monsters with permission to use.