3 NEW TECHNOLOGY IDEAS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Technology has a vital role to play in any modern workplace and can make a huge difference to the way your business operates – including how well your staff carries out their tasks. These days, an online presence is also expected by customers and therefore is an essential component for businesses.

New technology can not only speed processes up, or allow flexible new ways of working, but can transform how your business functions, and can often save you time and money.

There are several ways that an innovative business can make use of technology. Here are some new ways.

QR Codes

Quick Response (QR) codes are the little black-and-white pixelated squares commonly found in print ads, on products, displayed on TV, and even stitched into fabric. If you have a phone with a camera and the right kind of reader app, you can scan a QR code to display text, contact information, or open a Web page.

People are also scanning UPC bar codes—especially the ones found on products you’d find at a grocery or drug store—for product pricing and information. This works well if you are in the retail business.

Mobile exclusive numbers

While pricier than QR codes, StarStar Numbers might be a titch faster from a consumer perspective since it only involves one step. StarStar Numbers are branded vanity mobile numbers that let consumers call a brand’s name. For instance, if you’ve got a craving for Samoas or Thin Mints, you can call (not text) **GSCOOKIES and you’ll instantly receive a text message with a link to a Cookie Locator app.

This particular type of technology is excellent for almost any type of business. Imagine mobile users calling keywords and your restaurant, brand or business comes up in a search list sent via text? It’s like personally directing droves of customers into your business’ doors. Inquire with your service provider on how to avail of these Star Numbers.

Spot Targeting on mobile phones

Smart phones give consumers near-instant access to marketing or product information and digital content.  By being capable of doing this, they also are empowering businesses to do local spot targeting that only serves ads to people near a certain geographic location. For instance, a movie theatre could broadcast show times to only those smart phone users within a mile radius who happen to be doing things like playing Candy Crush online, listening to Slacker Radio, or other similar activities. Being that the broadcast is targeted, and only sent to those who have high probability of actually buying or taking a short trip to a physical store, businesses eliminate non-targeted and wasted marketing efforts and costs.

There are some marketing companies who provide this type of service – delivering such ads to consumers who are browsing the mobile Web or using apps.  Advertisers (read: business and company owners) can use a variety of formats such as banner ads, rich media ads or interstitials.