Bluetooth beacons are hardware devices that use low energy signals to transmit periodic information to electronic mobile devices in close proximity. The beacons transmit their id to the mobile devices, which return this identification number to the cloud server. The server responds by sending the information attached to the identification number. It could be a product detail, a webpage, a phone number, etc.

Business marketing professionals are using Bluetooth beacons in numerous ways to increase sales and revenue:

1. Tracking customer’s in-store movements: Bluetooth beacons can be used to track the movements of a customer in the store and send relevant offers. For example, if the beacon detects that a customer is in shoes section, it makes sense to send her a shoe discount coupon. This motivates the customer to make a purchase.

2. Help Customers In In-Store Navigation: It is common for customers to abandon the store if they can’t find what they are looking for. Bluetooth beacon technology can be used to tackle this problem efficiently. The technology can be used in conjunction with the store app to create an in-store mapping experience. Businesses can develop their apps to assist the customers in creating a shopping list as they enter the store. The app can then be used to show them the location of the selected products. The Bluetooth beacons detect the real-time location of the customers as they move and create a map to show them if they are moving in the right direction or not in relevance to the products.

3. Attract Customers To In-Store Events: Retail businesses commonly organize in-store events to attract customers during holiday seasons. The events may range from free makeup tutorials to gift wrapping presentations. Traditionally, the business marketing professionals used emails or telemarketing to inform their customers about the events. However, customers have a higher probability to walk in the store for attending an event, if they are already in the vicinity. Thus, you can use Bluetooth beacon technology to alert mobile device users in the proximity of your store about the ongoing events. This will help in increasing the footprint traffic, giving you a chance to generate leads.

4. Improve In-Store Conversion Rates: Using Bluetooth beacon technology, you can have an idea of the products that are being purchased by a customer via his online shopping list or in-store location. This information can be used to transmit notifications or reminders to purchase related products. For example, if a customer purchases cereal in a supermarket, a notification such as ‘Do you also need milk?’ can make sense to him. Such targeted messaging helps in increasing in-store conversion rate.

For more information about use of Bluetooth beacons in business marketing, call Centex Technologies at (972) 375 - 9654.