Without a doubt, accessing information has become relatively easy compared to what was obtainable few decades ago. Nowadays, you can easily get online and connect with your family, friends, or even business partners irrespective of the distance. But, Wait! This is about to become even better and faster. Thanks to the new Beacon and Physical Web technology. So what are these new technologies about?
Beacons are a tiny Bluetooth radio that has a fairly short-range signal. The technology uses strategically placed Bluetooth sensors to recognize individual smartphones in proximity. Thus, allowing them to automatically send these “close smartphones” messages relevant to their locations. Every beacon is made such that they are easily detected by your phone after which it is acted upon. For instance, a beacon could send alert to your phone about a discount coupon in a nearby shop. It could also help you to change the music you are listening to when you move from one room to another. Beacons can also help you unlock your doors. Interesting, isn’t it? Well, all you need to enjoy these and much more is just a Bluetooth-enabled device and an area with an active beacon.
The Physical Web on its part, enables users to see a list of URLs being broadcast by objects around the location they find themselves. This technology employs an open approach that allows quick and seamless interactions with physical objects and places. Originally, official Physical Web App from Google had functions that enable it to connect with Beacons and program them. Before now, users only needed to get beacons either from Beacon manufacturers or the Beacon Toy from Google Play. After which they can configure these beacons by selecting their preferred broadcast URLs and then place them in a physical space. Anyone who walks along that space with a Physical-Web compatible device will detect the selected URLs. However, this function has been removed from recent versions of the Physical Web App. Well, this should not deter you. Beacons are made to work with or without an app.
Nowadays consumers search on the go. The Beacon and Physical Web technology allow your business to benefit from this. In fact, both technologies were launched to help entrepreneurs like yourself to engage their customers the more. These new technologies will help you to market your products more effectively as well as deepen your relationship with visitors to your store. Some of the things you can do with this new technology include:
• Offering an attractive discount on products you consider as “upsell.”
• Directing your customers to register for your brand’s newsletter
• Offering loyalty schemes
• Directing people to order directly from your app
• Pushing an updated agenda link to your conference attendees as they come in
• Assisting prospective buyers in locating your retail store quickly
• Remarketing – by using Google Adwords service to reconnect individuals who visit your Beacon’s URL
• Retargeting – by using Facebook pixel tracking to reconnect with people who click on your Beacon’s URL.
Apart from the unique creativity behind these new technologies, another aspect that should excite you is the low cost. You can get beacons for as little as $8. However, if you wish to go for beacons with more reliable battery life, you will have to budget $50-$60 depending on the brand you choose to buy from. Nevertheless, you will agree with us that this is relatively cheap when compared to the extensive benefits both you and your customers will gain from the innovation.
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