Sorry FourSquare… You Can’t Have Local Web Marketing
Yesterday, we showed you key changes to Google’s iPhone Mobile App changes that let users check-in to local businesses with their “Latitude” Location-based social media service. Just like the Android Mobile App, (AND just like FourSquare & Facebook Places) users can now check-in to local businesses with their mobile phone to get special offers and otherwise share their life with their friends.
I think it’s safe to say that the unique location-based social network FourSquare got it right, and now they’re paying the price for having a great idea. Google’s been struggling for years to make a mark in social media. Their location-based concept “Latitude” is hardly new, but now it seems relevant all of a sudden. Facebook’s been eager to engage local businesses for social media marketing beyond ads and looking for a way to leverage the location based info it was getting from the massive use of its popular social networking mobile apps. Enter FourSquare, which introduced a location-based social network that’s essentially based exclusively on where users are, letting them check-in at locations to find deals, etc. Suddenly Facebook had a great idea. Google, too.
There are growing opportunities for local marketing online, and even if FourSquare dies a sad death at the hands of Google & Facebook, users are embracing search, social and mobile apps that bridge these gaps. So for you, the question again becomes – is your business web listing optimized to be found by mobile apps and location searches?