Just as the name suggests, you may have guessed that geofencing involves something that is location-based or within a certain boundary. You are partially correct. However, these boundaries are exclusive to apps and other software platforms.If you want to attract more local foot traffic to your business, you might be interested in geofencing services. This article will discuss everything you need to know about geofencing, from its definition to how geofencing marketing works to geofencing software and the geofencing services we offer.
Table of Contents
What Is Geofencing?
First, let’s explain what geofencing means. Geofencing is a location- or boundary-based service that is used for GPS and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID.) It can also use the location of your Wi-Fi connection. It helps companies target their coveted audience by providing a virtual perimeter.
This means that businesses who use geofencing use GPS signals to calculate latitude longitude around their storefront or a physical location (called a geofence) to specifically target their customers and help drive traffic. Depending on how the fence is configured, when someone walks within its territory, they receive business-specific mobile push notifications, targeted social media ads, mobile ads, text message alerts, or other location-based marketing.
How Geofencing Works
Now that we have defined geofencing, let’s explain how geofencing works. For geofencing to work, an administrator needs to set up the boundary (i.e. “geographical fence”) so when people walk into this geofenced area, they receive notifications and advertising from your business. This can be as simple as drawing a circle 300 feet around your store’s location on Google Maps using APIs when developing the mobile app. An API key is a unique identifier used to authenticate the user.
A geofence is defined within a code of a mobile app because users need to opt-in to location-based services for a geofence to work. There may even be an option to download a geofencing app at a specific event to collect data and deliver information.
Your customers can even set up geofences too using their personal mobile apps. For example, an iOS reminder allows people to choose an address or location to trigger a specific notification or alert. That being said, if a customer really loves Sunglass Hut, they can choose to receive targeted Sunglass Hut notifications when they enter its geofenced territory.
Can You Provide Other Geofencing Examples?
Geofencing is confusing. So we’re going to provide other examples of geofencing companies and geofencing applications to help you better understand how you have seen it and how you can use it for your own business to create a geofencing marketing campaign of your own.
Starbucks
Starbucks uses geofencing to advertise its drinks to prospective customers. They typically send push notifications when people walk by a Starbucks shop or around the area within the geofenced region.
Starbucks even sends personalized app notifications too. If a customer orders a caramel macchiato, they will send this same customer a notification that entices the user to another caramel macchiato.
Dunkin’
Dunkin’ is a well-known geo fencing company. Similar to Starbucks, Dunkin’ sends app notifications when users enter their geofence. Dunkin’ specifically markets its exclusive drink and food deals.
Dunkin’ is also notorious for its Snapchat filters and innovative marketing campaigns. When customers were by one of their stores, a giant sprinkle Dunkin’ filter would appear on Snapchat to engage users and get them in the door.
Uber
Uber relies heavily on geofencing to drive its sales. They specifically map geofences around airports, nightclubs, and hotels. When potential customers get off a plane, Uber sends them push notifications to let them know that Uber drivers are nearby to take them to their next destination.
This type of geofencing is useful for driving services like Uber (and Lyft) because it helps them get more fares.
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Johns Hopkins Hospital seems like a weird user of geofencing, but they turned to it to hire more people. The hospital used geofencing to target people for job openings by creating social media ads that appeared in qualified users’ newsfeeds. Johns Hopkins specifically targeted people who had a background in pediatrics via Facebook and LinkedIn.
How Can I Use Geofencing for Marketing and Advertising?
Geofencing is an increasingly common tactic in digital advertising. The most common types of geofencing marketing are pay-per-click (PPC) ads, text messages, and push notifications. Let’s discuss these different types in further detail.
PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Ads
PPC ads are an excellent digital marketing strategy because you are buying traffic to your website, without putting in the time to earn it. A popular type of PPC ads is search engine PPC, like for example Google Ads, which allows advertisers to bid on keywords.
If one of the keywords that they bid on is searched, their ad will be shown. Geofenced PPC ads are no different as your store’s ads will appear when a potential customer walks within the radius of its geofence. You can also place geofences in Google Maps. In fact, Google Maps geofencing is a great way to compete against larger brands.
For example, if you sell jumbo cookies, you can use the keywords “large cookies,” “bakery items” or even “jumbo cookie” in your ads. Then, you can use geofencing technology to put a perimeter around a 3-block radius of your cookie shop. If anyone is within this geographic area and uses your keywords, they will see your ad.
However, keep in mind that someone else who pays more for their store’s keyword in the same geofence will bump your ad off.
Text Messages
If you have your customers’ phone numbers, you are able to target them with text messages. You can send automated text messages to them when they are within your geofencing perimeter, some of which include sending reminders to let them know they’re by your store or telling them about a sale or new product you’re featuring.
Push Notifications
A push notification is basically advertising for your phone- A push notification is sent to a mobile device and shows up on the home screen. If people have downloaded your store’s app, you are able to use geofencing technology to send them push notifications.
What Are Other Uses for Geofencing?
So, you have some specific marketing strategies for geofencing technology and are ready to expand. What are other common uses for geofencing?
Social Networking
If you have attended an event that allows you to share a customized filter or photos catered to that event, you have interacted with geofencing. Businesses try to enhance the consumer experience by using social media and geofencing by prompting a check-in or for you to chat with friends nearby. Once you leave the area, they will sometimes send you a review to fill out.
Marketing and Advertising
We have already touched on how geofencing helps your business’s marketing and advertising strategies, but it can also deter people away from your competitors. You can create a geofence around your competitor and send notifications for people to shop elsewhere (ahem, your store.) With marketing and advertising geofencing, you can target consumers at colleges, events or trade shows. Its marketing strategy doesn’t just stop with advertising around your store.
Workplace and Employee Time Tracking
Geofencing at the workplace allows an employee to clock in for their work time via their mobile phone. Conversely, when they leave their workplace, they are prompted to clock out. This way, managers are able to see who is on-site without being at the store, and it allows payroll to be accurate.
Personal Location Tracking
Parents can even use geofencing too! They can set geofences around their own homes, babysitters’ homes, or schools, and when the kids come and go from these locations, parents get real-time alerts.
People who even hate coming home to a dark or quiet house can set a geofence around their home. So, when combined with home automation apps like Google Home, the geofence can trigger lights or music.
Why Is Geofencing a Good Tactic to Utilize?
It has five main benefits:
Better Targeting
By personalizing your marketing with geofencing, you can better target people, thus attracting more potential customers. Geo-targeting allows you to be specific, local, and creative with your ads.
Engagement
Consumers are more likely to engage with your brand if you provide them with relevant offers in real-time. Geofencing does just that! Because your store becomes more relevant at crucial times, your brand loyalty and advocacy are increased.
ROI
With geofencing, you are able to send notifications to people within your vicinity. Therefore, you are able to analyze the effectiveness and responsiveness of your campaign. You can use this knowledge to better optimize your marketing strategies for better ROI.
Efficiency
Because geofencing is highly targeted and location-based, it is a very efficient form of marketing. With it, you improve the impact that your communications create with your potential customers.
Better Data
Once you implement this tactic, you gain access to data that can be used to generate insights, like which stores are performing better or which ages are more approachable for your product.
Contact SEO Design Chicago for Help with Geofencing
As you know by now, geofencing is a highly effective way to reach your target audience. Out of all marketing companies in your area, SEO Design Chicago does the best job. We help you attract your intended customer base with their targeted ads. Contact us today for help with a geofencing advertising campaign!
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