Small businesses use Pokemon Go to increase customers

Small businesses around the world are now using Pokemon Go to promote their shops and lure customers. The first week of Pokemon Go’s release had its share of confused, sometimes angry, shop owners complaining about the waves of people wildly waving smartphones around. However, business owners everywhere use the Pokemon Go hype to bring in the customers instead.

Pokemon Go works like most apps, and setting it up for your business is straightforward. Pokemon Go can be downloaded in Google Play Store for Andriod users or appStore for iOS users. New users will be guided by the app via in game tutorial. Mechanics and navigation is part of the tutorial as well.

Here is how a small business can use Pokemon Go to lure in customers:

Use Lure Modules

Lure module is an item in Pokemon Go that is used to attract Pokemon for 30 minutes. Using this item signals nearby players of the location a flare gun. Lure modules can be bought in the Pokemon Go store with Pokecoins, the in-game currency.

One Lure Module is worth 100 Pokecoins. 100 Pokecoins is worth US$1.49 (AU$1.96). Buying 8 Lure Modules as a pack, however, will cost only 680 Pokecoins. That’s four hours of increased foot traffic for the shop for around US$10 (AU$13). Anyone with their Pokemon Go app on will see locations with activated lures as a hotspot.

Lures can only be used in Pokestops, though, which are predetermined locations by Pokemon Go. Luckily for business owners, it is not permanent.

Turn your shop into a Pokestop

Game Developer Niantic have announced that they are accepting requests for turning locations into Pokestops or Gyms. Gyms are like Pokestops except players gather there to fight other player’s Pokemon for control of the gym.

This enables business owners request that their shops become Pokestops. This turns the shop into a foot traffic magnet when coupled with lures.

Since gyms are contested for control, they can get a little bit too rowdy. This can be an advantage if the business works with that kind of crowd, like a local brewery. Otherwise, it is better to have a Pokemon gym nearby instead.

Embrace the Pokemon hype

Just being around the players will give business owners an idea what sells best. Food and drinks are a safe bet since the players have been walking around. Some shops have even incorporated the Pokemon theme in their merchandise.

The Pokemon Go players are now divided into three teams: Instinct, Mystic and Valor. Keeping tabs on who’s winning in the nearby gym can be used to incentivise players to drop by for a victory party.

Following the social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter is the best way to get news on what’s trending. Post pictures of rare Pokemon being sighted in or near the establishment. A reddit user created a chart to help new users and shop owners for identifying Pokemon and their rarities. The rarer the Pokemon, the more people will come!