Location-based Services & Mobile Apps

Location-based services and mobile applications can be applied in a variety of different business formats to improve the communication and awareness between the business and customer. These services provide the user with geographical coordinates in relevance to their location. They also give relevant business information that a customer would want to know when searching for a business location (address, phone number, and hours of operation).

The three most relevant websites to improve web presence in location-based services & mobile apps are Google Maps, Facebook Places, and Foursquare. See the following steps for getting started with these websites. Additional websites you may want to consider include Google Rewards and Shopkick.

Google Maps

Google Maps is a geo-location mapping service that allows users to navigate any coordinate on the globe, view businesses, buildings, and landmarks. The benefit of Google Maps to a business is the ability to add a business location and information at the correct location that is searchable by customers.

• Make sure you are signed in to a Gmail account in your web browser
• On your computer, go to https://www.google.com/maps
• In the bottom-right of the page (near the distance scale) click ‘Send feedback’
• When the send feedback menu pops up, click on ‘Add a missing place’
• Search the address of your business, and drag the marker to where your business is
• Fill out the required business information and hours
• Click ‘submit’

Facebook Places

Facebook Places is a mobile phone application that allows users to update their location in real time with their friends and discover places nearby them. The benefit of Facebook Places is that when a user checks into a location, the notification goes to their friend’s news feed.

• From a GPS-enabled mobile device, open the Facebook app (or go to https://www.facebook.com/places) and search for your business name
• If you do not see your Places Page, create it. (If your business name does not pop-up this means no one has tried to check in to it)
• Use Facebook app to add your place.
• Tap ‘check in’
• Type name of your place
• When you see a screen with a map of your location and the ‘ADD’ button popup in the right corner, tap it
• Claim your Place on Facebook
• Go to Facebook and search for your business name
• Click or tap to visit your page
• Click the link title ‘Know the Owner’ in the left column
• Alternatively, click on the gear button under the Timeline cover photo and choose ‘Is This Your Business?’
• Enter your business information and click ‘Continue’
• Verify your business for adding additional information (Through email usually) Click ‘Submit’

Foursquare

Foursquare is a mobile application that allows users to connect with their friends and let each other know where they are. The main benefit of Four Square is that users can collect points and coupons for businesses just by having the application on their phone.

• To create a page on Foursquare, start by downloading the app or go to https://Foursquare.com through a desktop
• Once on Foursquare, create an account or login to a previous one
• Go to settings
• Add a new place
• Enter all information about your company in the appropriate fields
• Drop a pin on the map where your location is
• Click ‘add’ in the top right corner