Geofencing 101: Turning Location Data into Foot Traffic
In today's digital landscape, one of the most powerful yet underutilized tools in marketing is geofencing — a location-based tactic that allows businesses to target potential customers based on their physical proximity to a specific area, like a storefront, competitor location, or event venue. If your goal is to attract more local customers and measure the real-world impact of your campaigns, geofencing should be part of your strategy — and now’s the perfect time to explore how it can work for your business.
What Is Geofencing?
Geofencing uses GPS, RFID, Wi-Fi, or cellular data to create a virtual boundary around a physical location. When a mobile device enters or exits that area, it can trigger actions such as displaying ads, sending push notifications, or tracking visits.
Why It Works
When done right, geofencing doesn’t just reach more people — it drives real-world action. Here’s why it’s such a smart investment for businesses looking to connect locally and convert attention into foot traffic:
Increase in-store visits: According to Reveal Mobile, businesses using geofencing see a 2x to 4x lift in foot traffic when campaigns are well-targeted (Reveal Mobile, 2023).
Hyper-local targeting: Reach users when they’re near your business — or even visiting a competitor — and influence purchase decisions in real time.
Measure ROI in the real world: With foot traffic attribution, you can track how many people visited your location after seeing your ad, tying your digital spend directly to offline behavior.
Optimize campaign performance: With real-time data, you can adjust targeting, creative, and timing to continuously improve results.
Gain a competitive edge: While many businesses still rely on broad, untargeted ads, geofencing gives you the power to reach people exactly when and where it matters — helping you stay ahead of competitors still relying on guesswork.
Geofencing can benefit businesses across nearly every industry — from national retailers to small local shops. Whether you’re trying to reach shoppers, diners, patients, or eventgoers, geofencing puts your brand in front of the right people at the right time. While especially effective for:
Retailers and restaurants looking to drive in-store visits,
Automotive dealerships aiming to connect with nearby car buyers,
Event promotions that need to build excitement and track attendance,
Healthcare providers offering local urgent care or wellness services, and
Local services like gyms, salons, and home repair companies —
…it’s a versatile tactic that can be customized to fit any business model with a physical footprint or a need for location-specific engagement.
Adding geofencing to your marketing strategy bridges the gap between online engagement and in-person action. It’s targeted, measurable, and incredibly efficient.
📍Ready to attract more foot traffic and grow your local presence? Learn more about how geofencing fits into a smart, location-based strategy — and what it could do for your business. Explore your options with us today.