Are You On The Path?

There are several pathways customers take to find a local business. Traditionally signage, word of mouth, or the phone book were the primary tools. Today more people are using their mobile phone and the evolving locally aware information technologies.

Here is a brief about six of the most popular pathways to your storefront that can be used attract new customers.

Yelp has been providing reviews and online business listings since 2004. With over 45 million visits and 15 million reviews, Yelp has a strong user base to court. Yelp also has applications for the major smart phone brands so customers can quickly navigate to your doorstep.

Foursquare makes visiting local businesses an adventure by creating competition with users who can earn virtual badges and by awarding frequent visitors the prestige of being mayor of your establishment. Founded in 2008 it's popularity has grown exponentially ever since.

Google & Facebook both have their respective places service. Google leverages it's Android might using maps, GPS, and a new review feature called Hotpot. Facebook Places is a new location aware feature with "Check-ins" similar to Foursquare. Add it's mobile application and you put it's huge user-base into action. Both services are sure to get more people exploring new places to visit and share with friends.

Urbanspoon claims to be "the world's leading provider of time-critical dining data." Focused on restaurants and eateries, it's bread and butter is reviews and ratings. If you want to feast on the spoon's huge user group be aware that they love to eat up photos so your menu and potentially your menu items will be eye candy for all to enjoy. Presentation is everything.

Gowalla keeps the simple in social-local discovery services. A great way to explore the world around you, Gowalla supports most mobile gadgets and introduces you to places of all types world wide. The service is said to be giving some competition to Foursquare but I have yet to give this a full test drive. I'll keep you posted as to what I find.

The bottom line is if your virtual billboard is not on the all of the roads that lead to your customers they are less likely to find there way into your establishment. Let Sociable Guerrilla place you on the map. Contact us and see how easy and quickly you can be the destination.