Getting Started with Location-Based Marketing

What Is Location-Based Marketing?

Location-based marketing, also known as geomarketing, uses your geographic location to deliver targeted messages to others. It relies on the data from applications that collect location data from users, such as Google Maps, Facebook, Instagram, and more. Any practice, large or small, can take advantage of LBM, or location-based marketing.

What Are the Benefits of Location-Based Marketing?

Marketing companies used to rely on demographic information about patients to target them with digital ads. However, now location can be used to target users and increase the benefits you get from marketing campaigns.

4 Examples of Effective Location Based Marketing

Local Signs – Using LBM methods doesn’t have to be a complicated thing. You can do something that is simple, like hiring someone to twirl a sign during busy traffic hours. You could also just put a sign at an intersection, attracting the eyes of passerby and getting for traffic to your practice. However, these methods may not be as effective as digital marketing.

Geo-Filters – Another way to use location-based marketing is to create customized filters for apps like Instagram, Snapchat, or Facebook. Using filters, practice can target local users and expand their audience. Campaigns vary in price, from being absolutely free to costing thousands of dollars, but this depends on several factors, including: duration of the filter, size, and how many people you want to reach.

In App Ads – There are many location apps on smartphones all over the world, making navigation ads a promising area for local practice. Apps like Google Maps and Waze provide ways to use ads based on user location that can range from a simple pin with a pop up ad or a banner at the top of the app.

In-Store Beacons – A new technology, Beacon technology, has made it possible for smartphones to receive alerts when they’re in the proximity of a location. A beacon is a Bluetooth device that allows for highly efficient targeted alerts to appear on the phones or smartphone users. However, not many practice have invested in this technology.

If your practice could use a boost, try location based marketing to increase your outreach and keep your practice relevant to smartphone users around the world.