Selling products or services can be a challenge for any business owner, regardless of the size of their organization. With the influx of new businesses entering the market, competition for customers’ attention is becoming increasingly intense.
Nowadays, businesses require not only intelligence but also creativity that may not have been necessary in previous years or decades. Fortunately, there is an abundance of software available that can assist your company in creating unique marketing strategies.
It is essential to invest sufficient resources into actively promoting your brand in order to ensure that people are aware of your business.
It is essential to utilize all available resources. Even those without a marketing background can be involved in such activities, regardless of the programming language or framework they use, such as Java, JavaScript, Ruby, Python, .NET or any other. All teams should be able to make a contribution.
How?
Employing beacon technology is one option.
Briefly describe beacon technology.
As you walk past a business, have you ever received a push notification on your phone from that store? An employee would have waited until you were nearby before sending the message, at which point they would have clicked the ‘Send’ button, potentially providing you with a deluge of information.
It is likely that a beacon was the source of the alert. The exact definition of a beacon has been difficult to pinpoint. Beacons generally take the form of small computers (ranging from single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi to off-the-shelf routers). These beacons, which could be classified as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, typically utilize Bluetooth and/or proximity sensing to detect the presence of humans or mobile devices in the vicinity.
Beacons are used to transmit data or provide a tailored user experience. Audio, video or text content can be sent and can be adapted according to the user’s input, the time of day, their proximity to the target and even seasonal or promotional considerations. In fact, there is almost no limit to the potential applications of beacons.
In general, there are three things that must be present in order for a beacon to work:
- The use of a beacon device or devices
- Mobile application
- The authorization of the user
It should be noted that there are beacons which do not require a mobile app or user permissions; however, these beacons are usually less advanced than modern beacons and instead rely on proximity sensors.
Some examples of beacons are:
- Signaling devices (which can range in sizes).
- Video indicators (devices that use video to deliver information).
- AI signaling devices (beacons that use machine learning that can even detect a variety of movements and gestures).
- Labeled stickers (can be placed almost anywhere and are typically used for asset tracking).
- Forerunner in parenting (used to track other beacons).
- A dedicated light source (used for indoor tracking or proximity detection in harsh environments).
Developers must be familiar with both iBeacon, Apple’s beacon standard, and Eddystone, Google’s beacon standard, in order to fully understand the details. Thanks to these standards, app creators can create beacons which send messages to users’ mobile devices. Developers must also create an app which can receive data from the beacon and act upon it. For example, this could be a simple alert (such as a discounted offer on a particular item), a survey or another incentive from the company.
An individual’s consent is required for the app to gather data from beacons. Bluetooth, which needs to be activated on the device, is usually employed for the transmission of this data.
Regretfully, this implies that beacons are not the most straightforward advertising solutions available. Nonetheless, they are a crucial tool for any size organization as they have the potential to enhance the user experience and help your business send information to the user, as well as collect data regarding users.
Should you implement beacons?
It is clear that in the modern world, customers are increasingly relying on their mobile devices to access information. Smartphones are now their primary source of news and discounts, replacing traditional methods such as leaflets. Therefore, it is evident that customers now expect to receive digital data rather than physical copies.
It is essential that you use all available resources to ensure customers can access the information they require in a manner that suits them best.
Despite the potential benefits of beacon technology, there is a challenge to overcome in order to ensure its success. Consumers are increasingly concerned about their privacy and are guarded when it comes to giving their consent for corporations to send them information. As a result, it is essential that your company provides beacons that people find appealing and useful.
In order to achieve this, it is essential that both the marketing and development teams work together to create a plan that will be appealing to customers. This could involve the use of beacons to offer discounts or freebies to mobile users in exchange for their permission to receive messages on their devices.
It may be challenging to persuade people initially, however the potential advantages may be rewarding. By utilizing the latest software, you can demonstrate to your customers that you are current and up-to-date. Additionally, you will be able to gain beneficial insights into your customers’ preferences and behavior.
Extra beacon applications
Beacons can be used for more than just client communication. The backend of enterprises can also benefit from deploying beacons. For instance, beacons can be used to help guide self-driving forklifts in a warehouse. In an environment that could otherwise be challenging to navigate for a vehicle, the beacons could serve as way markers to indicate certain aisles or sections.
Staff members may also utilize beacons to assist in the search for misplaced items. If a tool is used across multiple departments, it can be easily identified by attaching a beacon to it. The use of beacons for asset identification is a highly effective solution.
Conclusion
Beacons are essential in the modern age of rapid shipping and cutting-edge corporate technologies. Companies with skilled engineering and marketing teams (or business operations teams) can benefit greatly from implementing beacon technology. It is possible to discuss the possibilities with your in-house development team, or to seek assistance from an external provider to turn your ideas into reality.
