What is Foursquare?
Foursquare is a social app that lets users “check in” to various places they’ve been. They get “points” for wherever they check in. If a person checks in to one place the most, they become the “Mayor” of that spot. Users can add spots that aren’t on the Foursquare grid. Users can see if any of their friends are at the same location they are. Foursquare users can also post tips about a particular place. For example, a Foursquare user can write “The chicken burrito is amazing” or “Don’t get the nachos” as a tip for a Mexican restaurant. Users can also get “badges” depending on how they interact with Foursquare. This can include badges for 4+ stops in one night or 5 nights spent out on the town in a row. Foursquare also partners up with leading clients like The Huffington Post and the History Channel so users can find interesting trivia or news about their town.
How Can You Use Foursquare for Your Business?
When a user checks into a business, that business has the option of offering special coupons or deals to customers. For example, a local coffee shop might post on Foursquare, “Show us you’ve checked in and we’ll give you 20% off of a medium cup of coffee.” The user flashes their smartphone at the clerk and they receive the discount. In addition, users can also see “nearby deals” when they check into a place. For example, if a person checks into a pizza shop at a strip mall, Foursquare will alert the user that a nearby shoe store is offering a sale or discount to Foursquare users. Some businesses also offer prizes or special deals to the mayor of their establishment. Foursquare also offers customizable deals in addition to structured deals like Mayor discounts, Count discounts (first visit discount, 10th visit free, etc.), Frequency discounts (two times in one week, etc.)
Will it Cost Money?
The Foursquare Merchant Platform is free.
Are There Any Foursquare Competitors on the Market?
Yes. Gowalla has developed a competing app that has a passport-like feel.