If you thought that the first geolocation app was Pokemon Go, then you’re wrong. This technology has been here for a while and it was first used in an app called TrafficTouch. The purpose of this app was to deliver real-time traffic alerts.
Back then, geolocation was pretty basic. Today, it has come a long way. It can help detect the current location of the user accurately whether it’s a mobile app or a desktop app. Geolocation is now at the fingertips of every business just like Spectrum number is at the fingertips of internet and cable customers. Let’s have a brief overview of this technology and see how it is being used in apps to this date.
What is Geolocation?
Geolocation refers to the geographical location of a device connected to the web. You must have used the Find My Device feature on your smartphone. It works through geolocation technology.
Keep in mind that there are certain things that geolocation is not. For example, geolocation cannot track a person. it can’t automatically record the places you have to and save them in your location history.
How Does Geolocation Work?
Now let’s see how the geolocation technology works. The geolocation uses smart technology to return the addresses in real-time. These addresses are geocodes based and they come from the GPS on your smart device.
Geolocation technology can easily follow the behaviour of a person, item, or vehicle whether you’re designing a weather alert system, a location-based app, or even want to track your livestock. You can also give users real-time results for the service they’re looking for in a particular area.
Mobile apps that use geolocation maintain a continuous connection between the device and the satellite and collect data in real-time. The data can be used by businesses to develop new strategies by determining the behaviour of moving objects or people.
When compared to other mediums, Wi-Fi technology aids in establishing the actual location of the device. This technology uses RSSI or scans the regularly visited wireless network locations of the user.
Types of Geolocation Technologies
1. GPS
As mentioned earlier, the geolocation technology works by using the GPS chip. This chip is generally pre-installed in a smartphone. It determines the device’s current location by using the time and location sent by satellite.
2. Cell ID
Let’s suppose that the GPS service on your phone is not available. In that case, your phone’s cell ID is used for determining the location of your device by comparing your data with that of the data of the station.
3. Wi-Fi
Other technologies that can be used for determining your location include WiFi. It can help you determine your location and give precise info.
4. Geofencing
Geofencing helps determine the distance of a user from a particular location. Let’s say you have booked an Uber. Through geofencing, you can see how far away your driver is from your location.
Brands are Using Geolocation for Marketing Purposes!
Brands have started using geolocation to their advantage. It allows them to know where their customer is including their likes and dislikes. With this technology, companies can help their customers at the right time, at the right place.
Some brands have been using beacons (small sensors to view a detailed picture of the customer’s purchases). A beacon works via a mobile app by sending alerts to users whenever new content is uploaded.
Another technology used by brands is predictive analysis. It helps predict the location of the user or their activity based on their past actions. Companies like Phoenix and McDonald’s are using predictive analysis for directing customers to the nearby store.
The Benefits of Geolocation
Here are some benefits of the geolocation technology:
Find Highly Targeted Audience
With geolocation, the marketing department can find and connect with customers who are in close proximity to the business. This can come a long way in boosting the marketing campaign of a business.
Attract New Customers
Geolocation also works on targeting new customers. It can convert both online and offline traffic into new customers and bring them to your store.
Measure Results
Brands also track the check-ins of customers and get results on the traffic as well as sales.
Long story short, geolocation is the future of marketing and lots of businesses are using it already.
