Targeting “where” instead of “who” is the foundation of a geofencing campaign. Local advertisers find this tactic appealing, as it has many applications. Traditionally, geofences have been set around a physical store to draw foot traffic. Fencing competitors is another use case. It helps companies entice customers with deals and promos.

Another creative way to use geofencing is to target where ideal customers spend time. Depending on the audience, industry and product, you can recommend unique places to geofence. Since these campaigns require a strategic approach to location targeting, you may need some fresh ideas. It’s a challenge that our digital experts hear a lot from sellers. We’ve curated this list of examples to suggest to your clients to inspire you.

Jewelry Store Geofencing Campaigns

High-end jewelry shoppers are a key target for these retailers. Other programmatic campaigns may target based on household income and interests. These consumers are also targetable by other places they frequent. Our digital team recommends fencing:

  • Watch stores
  • Country clubs, golf courses and tennis clubs
  • Spas and salons
  • Luxury retail shopping districts
  • Fine dining establishments, cocktail lounges and wine bars

Ad content to reach these people could include highlights of new inventory and promotions for holidays or seasonality (e.g., Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, etc.).

Geofencing Campaigns for Real Estate Agents

Real estate agents are consistent local advertisers. Competition is fierce in many markets to get new listings and clients. There are two potential audiences — other businesses and consumers. For the former, it’s a smart bet to fence mortgage and insurance companies and financial planners. For the latter, focus on areas where future homebuyers are, including apartment complexes, local parks and playgrounds.

Home Improvement Geofencing Ideas

Home improvement spending continues to be positive in most regions. Since the real estate market is tight, many people are staying in homes longer and updating them. Geofencing combined with geotargeted display can help these businesses improve website visits and conversion. You can find these audiences at big-box hardware stores or other noncompetitive stores in the vertical.

New homeowners may also be in the market for updates. Consider fencing mortgage companies, interior design offices and custom home builders.

Local Event Advertising: Where Are Likely Attendees?

Geofencing community areas can also be a good option for local events. Depending on the type of event, these can vary. Some may be family friendly, while others are just for adults. Consider fencing these places within the general area of the event:

  • Libraries
  • Breweries
  • Wineries
  • Gyms
  • CafĂ©s
  • Coffee shops
  • Golf courses and country clubs

Geofencing for Pet Lovers

The pet industry generates billions of dollars in spending, as people treat their furry friends as part of the family. Any advertiser in the pet industry — vets, boarding, groomers and retailers — will want to capture the attention of these consumers where they spend time. Dog parks and pet-friendly hiking trails are good geofencing options. Dog and cat cafés or bars would also be great areas.

In addition, fencing complementary companies make sense. Vets could geofence pet stores, groomers and boarding facilities. In turn, those businesses could target vet offices. Pet retailers can geofence all these places, offering promotional deals for first-time shoppers.

Targeting Wine Aficionados

Winery tours and sampling are a great getaway for residents. If your region is home to wineries, pitch geofencing campaigns that target where wine drinkers spend time. Ideas include nail and hair salons, spas, beauty stores, boutiques, wine bars and country clubs. Depending on state alcohol laws, you may also be able to fence wine stores.

Local and Visiting Eaters: Where to Geofence for Restaurants

Restaurants love to geofence competitors, but there are more ways they can get people to their tables. For visitors, geofencing hotels and attractions works well. For locals, try geofences around nearby apartments or neighborhoods. To drive lunch crowds, suggest geofencing office parks and buildings within a few miles of the restaurant. A lunch promo could be a deal too appetizing to pass up.

Motorcycle Dealerships and Events: Getting in Front of Riders

Motorcycle owners are very passionate about their bikes. Targeting by interests performs well in programmatic, and adding geofencing can amplify this. Dealerships can fence biking hangouts and bars as well as repair shops.

For bike weeks or other events, those hosting can fence dealerships, repair shops, bars and restaurants. Start this in advance of the dates to make sure they make it onto riders’ calendars.

Geofencing Campaigns: Engage Where Interested Buyers Are

Experimenting with geofencing campaigns can boost performance for local advertisers. Sharing these ideas expands the potential to reach high-interest consumers. It may be daunting to find all these locations in your city, but AI tools could make it easier. Enter a prompt to find addresses of a type of business within a city or ZIP code. Once you have the addresses, bulk upload them to your digital advertising platform.

Another reminder is to complement geofencing with other digital tactics and radio!

For more insights on geofencing strategies, check out these posts:

Why Geofence Size Matters
Ask the Expert: When Should You Recommend Video Geofencing?