Geofencing, what is it? Some of you might have already experienced it while others have no idea what we are talking about. Geofencing is exactly what is sounds like, a fence around a geographical area. Grand Apps will be launching a new feature update and it will be available to all clients early April 2014, to read more about that feature update and what we will be launching just visit this post. Geofencing will be apart of that new feature update.
Many of you know that we already offer all of our app clients the ability to send out push notifications to all of their app users. We are now taking this to the next level with adding Geofencing to our platform. Businesses can setup a fenced area on the map so when app users enter, a message will be sent to them.
How do I use Geofencing for my app?
Many businesses love using the geofencing feature for notifying customers about special offers. But, there are many more ways to use it. Real Estate agents can fence around a house so when app users drive by they will receive more information about that house. Musicians and bands can geofence around a venue so when your followers pass by the venue they will receive more information about your upcoming show. As you can imagine, there are tons of ways to use this.
You're not limited to your own location!
You read that right, no geo limitations. You can set where you would like to fence. For example, you can fence around a competitor and when an app user enters that area, they will be reminded about your business. Law firms can geo fence around court houses and bail bonds locations.
Again, the opportunities to take your business to the next level are endless with the new geofencing opportunity.
Key considerations while using Geofencing
More does not equal better. Bombarding app users with messages all of the time will likely have them opt out of your messages or delete your app. Nobody wishes to constantly be interrupted. It's like that person who always interrupts you on a phone call, not allowing you to get a full sentence out. Instead it's about strategically using this to your advantage and using it as a resourceful marketing tool.
Don't think about using geofencing as another way to sell to your customers, but use it as an organic way to connect with them and add more value. Think about some of your favorite companies and if they were exploiting every marketing channel possible, you would get sick of them. But if they pop up here and there, most likely you don't mind.
Overall, geofencing should be used to improve your customers experience with your business and your businesses mobile app. Always remember if you want your geofencing programs to be a success, put your customers first always! Do this and your business will all fall into place.
We have just launched the most robust push notification system on the planet! Our new push notification system allows you to send more specific push notes than ever before. Click below to watch this short video or read ahead for more information.
1. Message
Step one in sending out your new push notes allows you to create a custom message to your app users. You can now select different smartphone users to send the push notes out to such as either Apple, Android or both. We have also integrated Social Media with your new push notification system. You can send the messages out to your businesses Facebook & Twitter accounts. This new app upgrade made your mobile marketing campaign a one stop shop from our backend system. You can send messages out to all of your Social Media followers and your app users!
2. Location
Grand Apps has now built in the ability to send out push notifications by location. You can GEO target certain cities & states that you want to send out the push notes too. Example: You can select Miami, Florida to send out a specific message that only app users in Miami will get. There is also the ability to send a message out to the entire app download community.
3. Content
We have built in a very robust content push note system that allows you to link your message with a few different things.
Websites - You can now link your push notes out to certain webpages.
Internal App Features - You can now link your push notes to certain app features you want people to go to. Example: You can send out a push note saying "Hey everyone, make sure you write your answer on our comment board today" & you can link that message to the comment board.
Template - You can send out push notes from a beautifully designed template we have created for you. (The video shows more)
4. Publish
We still are allows the ability to send your push notes out now or schedule them in the future at a specific time & date.
More Questions? Email Support Center at support@grandapps.com or visit www.grandapps.com.
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Grand Apps is happy to share industry information about mobile marketing. Every business owner needs to consider mobile marketing in their adjusted marketing campaigns. Below is a video that explains the new mobile movement which relates to mobile marketing. Watch this quick two minute video!
We have also just recorded our own quick video about mobile marketing with two simple mobile app features; Push Notifications & Mobile Coupons.
Both of these features are so simple, yet so effective. We have demonstrated how a business owner that is marketing their mobile app can yield over $20,000 profit yearly.
Push Notifications - Mobile Marketing
Push notifications are simple messages sent to mobile app users from the business owner or app owner. We offer this ability to all of our clients at Grand Apps. You can send unlimited push notifications and even schedule when you want to send those messages out.
Did you know that 97% of mobile app users read their push notifications?
Let's share an example: Your mobile marketing campaign has taken your mobile app to 1,000 app downloads. This means anytime you send out a push notification, 997 of your app users will see your message. You now have the ability to reach them anywhere they are, 24/7 with your mobile app.
Most business owners would pay an arm & leg to be in front of about 1,000 customers 24/7 with the press of a button. Grand Apps offers business owners around the world these capabilities. Contact us at support@grandapps.com to learn how to get started today!
Mobile Coupons - Mobile Marketing
Mobile coupons are one of the most engaging return on investment features. Your mobile marketing will give back to your loyal customers for downloading your mobile app. Grand Apps offers all of our clients the ability to set unlimited amounts of mobile coupons for their mobile marketing campaigns.
We offer three different mobile coupons features;
QR Coupons
Loyalty Coupons (Mobile Loyalty Card)
Check In Coupons
Did you know that 36% of mobile app users have redeemed a mobile coupon?
Let's share another example: You have just reached 997 people with your push notification saying: "Checkout our mobile coupons to save money tonight!". The profit per coupon is equal to $15 per person. According to statistics, about 36% of those people will redeem this coupon.
997 X .36 = 358.92
358.92 X $15 = $5,383.8
Your mobile marketing campaign has just generated $5,383.8 profit with one simple push notification & mobile coupon. This is absolutely huge for business owners across the country looking how to make money with their mobile marketing campaign and their mobile app for their business.
This article will cover mobile app marketing for restaurants and the top three mobile app features we have built to help restaurants.
Mobile Ordering - Feature 1
"62% of all smartphone owners stated they've made a purchase from their smartphone in the past six months. (Source: Adobe Survey, 2011)
Grand Apps has built in mobile ordering, similar to online ordering for delivery restaurants and non delivery restaurants. Our mobile ordering system allows users to order food for delivery or pick up. Our mobile ordering system is easy to navigate for app users.
Users scroll through the menu, choose an item and order it! It is very simple and easy to use. We have also made it easy for the restaurant owner too. Restaurant owners can link their business PayPal account to their mobile app to accept payment via PayPal. Restaurant owners can also accept cash when the customer picks up their food or the delivery food is delivered.
Question: But, as a restaurant owner, how will I know an order was placed?
Answer: We have integrated in our mobile apps Google Cloud Print. Follow the link to learn more about it.
Marketing Tip: The goal is to get your customers to use your app to order. They must first get used to it. We recommend offering discounted prices on your food in the mobile ordering to draw your customers to ordering with the app. Once you are comfortable with your app usage and customers ordering, raise your prices back to normal. (You can even send out a push notification to all app users telling them you are doing this to be transparent with the, that is always best).
Grand Apps allows every business owner to send out unlimited Push Notification with our easy to use Client Management System. These Push Notifications will go to every app user who has downloaded your app. This is one of the greatest ways to communicate with your customers via mobile. Again, 97% of users read the Push Notifications.
Above is an example of a Push Notification sent from the mobile app iTC Mobile. You can also click the image above to see an example app we have developed in the iTunes Store (Snap Fitness Michigan)
Question: This seems great, but what is a Push Notification?
Answer: A Push Notification is a message that is sent to users who have opted to receive them.
Marketing Tip: Again, the overall goal is app engagement. We recommend having a call to action in your Push Notification for your restaurant app. (i.e. "$2 Drafts for the NCAA Tournament: GO BLUE") This example provides users with knowledge that you are having a special tonight for the basketball tournament.
Also, do not overdue sending out messages. People may get annoyed and delete your mobile app, which is the opposite of the goal for your mobile marketing campaign. Use them sparingly or during big events. Make sure you setup and schedule times to send out the Push Notifications, maybe even during slower times in your business.
Mobile Coupons - Feature 2 "36% of smartphone owners have redeemed a mobile coupon on their devices, compared to 11% for tablets" (Source: StartupMe.com, 2012)
Mobile coupons are easy to setup with our Client Management System. You can actually control how many mobile coupons you wish to have ready for your app users. We have three mobile coupons;
Check In - Users can "check in" via GPS to unlock a coupon
Loyalty - This is just like a punchcard. App users come in "X" amount of times to receive "Y" offer.
QR Coupon - Users can scan a QR Code to unlock a special coupon.
Above are screenshots of all three examples of our loyalty features we have built into our mobile apps.
Question: What are the coupon limits?
Answer: You can set the limits. Example: People must check in or scan the QR Code 5 times or 8 times before they unlock their coupon. You have complete control over your coupons.
Marketing Tip: We found mobile coupons highly effective for offering special discounts during restaurant slow seasons. If your slower months are during the summer, we encourage all clients to offer more than one coupon per month during those times. You will be surprised how much more traffic you can increase during these slow times.
Summary If you have read all of the material above, you now understand the power of mobile apps. Let's just recap what we covered, statistically speaking.
"62% of all smartphone owners stated they've made a purchase from their smartphone in the past six months"
"Push Notifications are read by their users 97% of the time"
"36% of smartphone owners have redeemed a mobile coupon on their devices, compared to 11% for tablets"
Let's crunch some numbers...
We will estimate you can get about 1,000 app downloads (to make it easy).
You can expect to reach about 997 of these app users by sending out a single Push Notification.
You can expect that about 620 of these app users will purchase food from your mobile ordering.
You can expect that about 360 of these app users will redeem a coupon.
Let's be VERY CONSERVATIVE and say this only happens two times per year for the redemption of a mobile coupon & mobile order.
