Ways You Can Encourage Check-Ins At Your Business!

When a customer checks in on Facebook, the businesses name is displayed for that customers friends and followers to see.

There’s no denying the exposure is great for business. Almost everyone in todays society owns a smart phone with the capability to access internet and social media, therefore persuading your customers to check in is an effective and cost efficient way to market.

The big question is, how do businesses get customers to check in?  In some cases, encouraging a check-in is as easy as reminding them about it. But for other customers, you may have to provide an incentive. Here are a few ways you can increase the odds that your customers will take that small extra effort to check in at your location- An easy way to generate marketing at no cost to you!

Use Existing Marketing: Post occasional reminders on your social media sites encouraging customers to check in when they visit. Your social media outlets are the best place to direct people to check in, since you’re likely speaking to those who are avid social media users. However, there may be an element of “preaching to the choir” with Facebook reminders, preventing you from reaching out to those who might not already be following you.

Another great place to encourage check-ins is your own website. If you’re offering an incentive for checking in, this is a great place to mention that, as well. If you maintain a blog on your website or take out an advertisement or coupon in a local publication, add a short message encouraging customers to check in.

Post Signage: Reminding customers to check in is often all you need to do to.  Facebook provides a page of printable table tents and stickers for immediate access.

Provide Exclusive Discounts: Customers who check in should be provided exclusive access to specials. If those who check in at your location become VIPs who receive discounts and deals, more of your customers will want to check in. As a bonus, some of your customers may let their friends know about the special discount by sharing your messages across their social media sites, which will encourage more customers to check in.

Consider having a social media night, where you open your doors only to those customers who have checked in for an evening of discounts and stress-free shopping. Provide refreshments and decorate your store as you would for any party to make your guests feel as though they are VIPs.

Offer a Reward: Nothing is more effective than an old-fashioned bribe. Offer a gift or ten percent off for those who demonstrate at the register that they’ve checked in. Some businesses might choose to be straightforward about the gift customers will receive at check-in, while others may decide to promise that customers who check in will unlock a surprise gift.

Reward Multiple Check-Ins: Some businesses don’t realise customers can check in multiple times over the weeks, months, and years they visit a location. Consider offering some sort of loyalty reward for those customers who check in the most at your location. If a customer knows he or she will receive a ten percent discount each time they visit your location and check in, you’ll likely have a very loyal customer—one who will be advertising your business each time he or she enters your store.

Use QR Codes:One of the best ways to encourage check-ins is to make it as easy as possible. A QR Code, posted on signage, menus, and other print materials at your location, can direct customers to Facebook where they can check in with just one click.

Check-ins not only increase brand recognition with your customers and their friends and family, but it also provides increased exposure on search engines.

Once you’ve created your check-in process, be sure to regularly measure results to determine whether your campaign is successful or not. This might lead you to try promoting your efforts on social media if your print campaign isn’t working or use window decals if your table tents aren’t working.