Realtime vs. Historical location targeting

Real-time location-based marketing and historical location-based marketing are two distinct strategies that businesses can use to engage with their customers through location-based technologies. While both approaches rely on collecting location data from customers, they differ in terms of the immediacy of their messaging and the types of insights they can provide.

Real-time location-based marketing uses real-time location data to send customers personalized, location-specific messages.

This approach requires customers to opt-in to location tracking through a mobile app, website, or other digital platform. Once customers have opted in, businesses can use geofencing technology to trigger messages, offers, or other content when customers enter a specific physical location or area. For example, a retail store might use real-time location-based marketing to send a special offer to customers when they enter the store. This type of marketing can be especially effective for driving foot traffic and boosting sales.

Historical location-based marketing, on the other hand, uses location data that has been collected over time to gain insights into customer behavior and preferences.

This data can be collected from a variety of sources, including mobile devices, GPS-enabled vehicles, and other connected devices. By analyzing this data, businesses can gain insights into where their customers live, work, and travel, as well as their preferences and interests. This type of marketing can be useful for developing targeted campaigns, identifying new opportunities for growth, and optimizing business operations.

One of the main differences between these two approaches is the immediacy of their messaging. Real-time location-based marketing relies on the customer's current location and can send messages in real-time, while historical location-based marketing relies on data that has been collected over time and requires more time to analyze and act upon. Another difference is the type of insights that each approach can provide. Real-time location-based marketing is focused on driving immediate action, while historical location-based marketing is more focused on gaining insights into customer behavior over time.

Despite these differences, both real-time and historical location-based marketing can be highly effective for engaging customers and driving business growth. By leveraging location-based data and insights, businesses can gain a deeper understanding of their customers' needs and preferences, develop more targeted campaigns, and ultimately drive higher levels of engagement and customer loyalty. Additionally, both approaches can be highly personalized, allowing businesses to tailor their messaging and content to the specific needs and interests of their customers.