Is Foursquare and Geo Targeted Search a Perfect Match for Food Service?

Foursquare is one of the hottest mobile applications on the market today. Its growth in one year has been phenomenal.  Foursquare offers its users endless ways to connect and network. It is a location-based social networking application.

The program lets consumers notify their friends where they are and vice versa.  Foursquare allows members to collect points, prize badges, and eventually coupons for reporting in with their typical daily business.

How Foursquare Works

Foursquare has amassed one million members in less than a year. The mobile program can be used via iPhone, Blackberry, Android, or Palm Pre.

When members check in from wherever they are, Foursquare notifies their network of friends in the neighborhood, and recommends nearby activities. Users make it a fun game as they try to compete with friends and associates in exploring new restaurants, attractions, and events.

New Business via Friendly Competition

The friendly competition entices many members to visit businesses and establishments offering specials through the program. It’s all in good fun and helps deepen the relationship between consumers and businesses.

The businesses add to the fun by making offers of free drinks, discounts, and free food.  Foursquare also offers users the option of becoming “mayor”. When a user signs in from a business, the mobile application will automatically notify them concerning how to claim the “deal” from the business. Some offer a reward to every member who checks in. Foursquare provides deals in house and via social network channels.

Recently, the network surpassed 1,000,000 registered users and had its biggest day ever on March 11, with more than 275,000 “check-ins”.

Foursquare Gets Respect

The website is being taken very seriously by businesses. Starbucks announced its plans to sign a deal giving users an opportunity to earn a Barista badge for checking in at five different locations.  Expect many businesses to follow suit.

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Tags: Foursquare, Foursquare Mobile Applications, Mobile Applications