Every day there is another new technology. With the ‘Rise of Smartphones’, we are entering a mobile, digital age where paper coupons and tickets will soon become extinct.
Everybody loves a great deal, but as the times change, technology is trending away from the paper flyers and mail out coupons. These new technologies are creating smarter, savvier consumers, who use their mobile devices while shopping, to find retailers, comparison shop, look for sales and search for online reviews. Consumers want instant gratification from their mobile devices, and if a local business can give them that through a digital loyalty system, they will instantly increase customer engagement and drive traffic through the front door. Look no further, the digital loyalty system is here; welcome to the ‘Mobile Marketing Ecosystem’.
Last week I embraced beacons and told you why I love them, because of what they could do for busy consumers; engage them while at the business by sending notifications alerting them of special offers directly to their phones. Beacons are an essential tool for proximity marketing and work hand-in-hand with the next element in the Mobile Marketing Ecosystem,’LocalPass‘.
What is LocalPass?
LocalPass is part of a Mobile Marketing Ecosystem that includes digital coupons, membership cards, value cards; they can also be event and airline tickets. The digital coupons are efficiently stored in a customer’s phone, in an app referred to as a ‘Mobile Wallet’. The easiest way to get a digital coupon installed into a customer’s phone is with a scan-able QR code or NFC tag that can be conveniently located at a cash register on printed sign board, that says something like “Scan (or Tap) here and get 25% off your next purchase!”
For iPhone users, the mobile wallet app is called ‘Passbook’, it’s a native app, already installed, and no download is required. If the customer carries an Android phone and doesn’t have a mobile wallet yet, once the digital coupon is scanned they will be directed to the Google store and prompted to install the app, it’s called ‘Pass Wallet’ or ‘Passes’. They will then have the option to install the digital coupon to their mobile wallet.
Once the digital coupon is downloaded to the customer’s mobile wallet, they are able to get loyalty rewards points and savings from the businesses that they choose to engage. The best part is that once a customer has the digital coupon in their mobile wallet, they are kept updated of all new promotions, special offers and events from that business.
How Does The LocalPass System Work?
LocalPass is digital content meant to be stored in a mobile wallet, that includes the benefits of targeting, proximity marketing and geo-fencing capability, which refers to a virtual perimeter for real-world geographic areas. As the customer enters the area, locked screen notifications are sent directly to their phones to invite them into the business, and when the screen is unlocked the digital flyer appears. The customer will be enticed to enter and enjoy the promotion, and can redeem their coupon by simply scanning the barcode directly from the smartphone at checkout.
The LocalPass system allows for up to 10 geo-fencing areas, which permits for a business with several locations, meaning that the customer will never go into the neighborhood without a lock screen notification from that business again. The system increases foot traffic as customers are enticed to visit in-store with strategic messaging and special offers as they enter the local area.
Digital coupons in the mobile wallet are updated in real-time as they are used; for example, if you have a digital coupon for a ‘Buy-One, Get-One Free’ coffee from Starbucks, after you buy your first coffee, you will get an alert that the next one is free. The notification will be sent directly to your smartphone, keeping you up to date.
These coupons are easily accessible, ready for use, and always up to date which will boost sales and recurring business. This is perfect for the local business and the on-the-go modern day consumer, who always has their smartphone so will never forget a coupon, ticket or promotion again.
Small to medium businesses that implement the LocalPass system will be able to customize personal, digital coupon content relevant to their customers’ interests and geo-location. These businesses will start a conversation because customers are thrilled at receiving special offers from simply downloading their digital coupon. We know that it costs five times more to acquire one new customer than to retain a customer, so when a business uses LocalPass, it saves money by retaining customers and making them loyal.
What Can LocalPass Do For a Business?
With consumers going mobile, businesses should too because the single most important factor for any long-term, profitable business is ultimate customer loyalty. Loyalty by definition means faithful devotion, which is earned through giving value. The LocalPass system instills loyalty by giving the customer real value. The customer is made to feel special by receiving exclusive offers, membership benefits and “first to know” notifications directly to their phones from companies that they have chosen to engage.
The LocalPass system effectively boosts sales for small to medium size business because it helps to distribute relevant, valuable offers by sending location-based coupons directly to the subscribed mobile audience. It can create milestones by using a point system, enticing customers to keep collecting, and keep them coming back. This results in better marketing efficiency and saves money with targeted mobile advertising; no more wasted dollars on unused print flyers!
Small and medium businesses that stay abreast of the latest technology will stay ahead of the competition. LocalPass allows businesses to get inside of their customers’ wallets, and by using this system, combined with beacon and GPS technology, the business will increase brand awareness and ultimately create lasting, customer loyalty.
Are you tired of keeping track of paper coupons? Would you consider switching to the LocalPass system?
Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.
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