Use BEACONS: Grow Your Business Multifold

RAVI SHARMA

IT consulting | Virtual CxO Service | Programmatic Advertising | Lead Generation with AI | Remote Staffing Specialist | Cyber Security | AI | Cloud | Drive sustainable growth | IIM-C alumni ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Published Sep 13, 2016

When you get everything with just a click of mouse button the propensity to stay insides without moving around much, becomes pretty much obvious.

Smartphones are boon of modern, technology. Now, the problem arises that indoor locations usually block cell phone signals. It has actually become so very difficult to locate devices via the GPS. A solution to this predicament is BEASONS.

What are beacons?

Beacons are actually a very low-cost piece of hardware which is so small that you can attach it to any wall or for that matter a countertop. It will make use of battery-friendly Bluetooth connections in order to transmit the messages directly to any tablet or a smartphone. They are so designed to facilitate retailers, transit systems, event organizers, and educational institutions pas information with people located indoors. In many cases people even desire to set up beacons as a part of their home automation systems.

A practical example of beacon so that you understand it clearly:

Many times it has been observed that your mobile buzzes as you enter your local departmental store. Now this is not any text message. This is a regular welcome message which you receive from store owner, and this is delivered to you via an app which you seem to have downloaded quite a few months ago and most likely you have not used the app ever since.

Now regardless of the fact whether you receive a normal welcome message, or it is a product promotion coupon, retailers these days are working hard to facilitate customer engagement by communicating with them by means of downloaded apps. They try to get hold of location and digital shopping lists of customers

All this is done by means of a highly affordable hardware device known as beacon. This beacon makes use of low frequency Bluetooth connection to reach out to integrated app and then send pertinent messages to the shopper. It is basically effort of the store owner or product manufacturer to generate more sales by keeping the buyer informed and in touch.

Targeted marketing by taking help of geolocation is not at all a new concept. The difference with beacon technology is its unique ability to "wake up" an app which the consumer has downloaded, but it is not open on consumer’s device.

Most of the retailers from Marsh Supermarkets to Macy's to even Gamestop are keen to test the efficiency and success in generating leads of this new technology. Beacon will only send you relevant personal messages. It is not like a trash mail. The retailers are hopeful that shoppers see this tool in a positive light. Companies are taking to Beacon with open arms as it is not just effective but also simple to use. It is as a matter of fact the next level innovation with reference to contextual marketing.

What attracts companies is that it works within Bluetooth 4.0 range.

GPS goes out of range in few hundred meters; even NFC is half as effective. Beacon Technology works well with standard room dimensions, malls, hallways, museums etc. This is what makes it so sought after. NFC is too close and GPS has a huge area of reference, beacon technology bridges the gap between both and is simply apt for your business. Owing to this reason beacon a great is a wonderful alternative pinpoint location of the user.

Companies using beacon technology:

American Eagle Outfitter – It has worked with Shopkick to make use of shopBeacon technology across almost hundred American Eagle Outfitter locations.

Giant Eagle – Makes uses of beacon technology at entrance of its store. The clients’ smartphone app facilitates pinpointing exact location of buyer so that ads can be sent.

Universal Music – Beacon enables customers to get messages such as special offers

Gilbarco Veeder Root – This the world’s biggest manufacturer of gas pumps, makes use of beacon technology by Qualcomm.

Beacon Technology- A Snapshot

Retail outlets are making use of beacon technology to offer to the customers complete product information. They even flash discount sales and deals. They also intend to accelerate the checkout process via an entirely contactless payment mechanism.
Consumers look at beacons as a means to make better their in-store retail experience. People carry their mobile to retail stores and even use it there.
There are barriers to extensive use of beacon technology: you have to cross quite a few layers of permissions. In order to use Beacon Customers need to turn on their Bluetooth, they have to accept location services on their pertinent app and then to choose to receive both in-store and indoor notifications.
Beacon technology will do wonders in case it is put to at airports as well as ground transit hubs. This will enable people to get instant notifications on delays, departures, gate and platform information. All this will be truly helpful.