The rising Popularity of Location-based Apps and their Business Benefits!

Imagine a scenario when individuals are on a road trip to some remote place, and they encounter sudden adversities like an accident or a blown tire. Next, they call for assistance; but have a hard time communicating their present location and providing route directions as the place is unknown to them; resulting in delayed help. In such situations, location-based applications come to the rescue as these track down the exact location of the smartphone user, without the need for giving directions, enabling the help services to reach quickly.

How about a situation when one visits a foreign city and faces difficulty in finding a grocery store or a food joint? Well, location-based intelligence helps in speedily locating the desired store!

This distinct capability of location-based services (LBS) - finding out the location of the user and provide services accordingly - helps consumers to overcome myriad roadblocks encountered in their daily lives. As these apps continue to rise in popularity, businesses across diverse sectors are focussing on Location-based App development. As per a report published by "RESEARCH AND MARKET", the LBS market was valued at 44.47 Billion USD in 2020, and is predicted to reach 155.13 Billion USD by 2026; as it’s expected to expand at a CAGR of 23.4% between 2021 and 2026."

Let’s dig into some crucial insights on the rise of location tracking apps and peek through the reasons to incorporate a location-based app for your business.

Functioning of Location-based Services

Location-based Services utilize the smartphone’s GPS technology for tracking its users’ location if that particular user has allowed the GPS service on his phone. Once smartphone users opt for this service; LBS will identify their location, even the street address they are in, without users having to enter any data manually. LBS establishes two-way communication between the service provider and app users. After receiving the necessary data concerning the users’ location, their requirements, and preferences; customized information is provided to them.

Location-based apps like Instagram (Social Networking), Uber (Transportation), Pokemon Go (Gaming), etc. have radically transformed their respective sectors. Take a look!

Top Industrial Domains Leveraging Location-based Services

Retail

LBS-driven retail apps help consumers to find a nearby store or select a favourable pick-up location. Physical retail stores employ this technology to enhance the in-store experience of customers by:

• Providing the indoor navigation feature in the apps employing Beacons
• Sending personalized notifications to would-be customers the moment they enter the vicinity of the store.

Biggies like Target and Walmart have successfully implemented this approach.

Automobile

Geo-location apps have simplified things for customers as well as the owners of logistics, public transportation, cab services, and travel firms in the following ways.

• Effortless fleet management
• Updates to passengers about the real-time status and delays in vehicles.
• Tracking the real-time location of customers using gps services available in cab service application.

On-demand delivery

On-demand delivery apps owe their whopping success to LBS as orders and couriers can be tracked in real-time. Moreover, users can effortlessly find the providers for the services they are looking for. On-demand Salon app, On-demand home services app, etc. are some examples.

Gaming

Gaming apps like Scavify and Pokemon Go have successfully integrated smart technologies like VR and AR with LBS to offer a realistic experience to gamers.

Travel and Tourism

The tourism apps leverage LBS to notify tourists with real-time updates, and also help them to find hotels near specific sights or landmarks. Airbnb, hotel chain apps like Marriott, etc. are noteworthy examples.

Business Benefits of Location-based Apps

Converting Customer Impulses into Sales

The location-based technology helps businesses to approach the consumers at a time when they are most likely in the vicinity of the store or buying a product online from a specific location. Therefore, when customers are in proximity to your store, it is possible to convince them to purchase from your store. How? For example, it’s raining outside and a passerby has an impulse to buy an umbrella. At this moment your location-based message of offering umbrellas at discounted rates pops up on his/her smartphone!

Attracting new Customers

LBS strategies can effectively convert online traffic as well as foot traffic; by persuading visitors to try your products/services for the first time. This can be done by offering special offers for first-time check-ins or purchases. Once a customer gets converted, engage them by offering top-quality services.

Rewarding Loyal Customers

LBS enables you to track the check-ins and thus identify loyal customers. Then, you can easily retain them by offering free coupons or attractive offers. For instance, when a customer downloads a taxi app and books a cab, his/her details are registered with the business. This allows the business to send SMS to the customer regarding special offers.

Providing personalized services to Customers

Modern customers prefer personalized deals. So, business brands employ location-based marketing platforms to recognize the personal preferences of customers, through detailed tracking of their movements, shopping activities, etc. The current location and behavioral data of users allow brands to deliver personalized messages to the right set of audiences at the apt time and place. For instance, hotels can elevate customer experiences by sending welcome messages and providing offers in the form of coupons, room up-gradation, spa offers, etc.

Applying profitable strategies

Geo-location-powered apps allow businesses to try unique strategies for boosting sales. For example, a restaurant usually suffers very low sales after lunch hours and the owner wants to offer discounted prices for snacks and light refreshments during that period. The smartest way to implement this strategy is by sending discounted rate notifications to persons passing by that restaurant at that time.

Key Takeaways

Its high time businesses should harness the potential of location-based apps to attract customers and expedite sales.

Looking for Location-based App Development Services? The adept professionals at Biz4Solutions, a prominent Location-based App Development Company, will guide you all through your journey.

Martha Jones is a Project Manager at Biz4Solutions with 14+ years of experience in Project Management, Quality Assurance, and Test Management in IT-related services. She has expertise in various domains like Healthcare, Finance, Transportation, etc.