As companies tighten their budgets and seek the most effective ad strategies for 2025, location data remains a key component of successful marketing campaigns. From billboards to digital placements, knowing where to advertise is crucial for reaching the right audience. With advancements in smartphone technology, connecting with the right consumers is now more efficient than ever. By leveraging location-based technology, businesses can identify their audience’s whereabouts and reach them with precise messaging. As 2025 unfolds, let’s explore the best places to advertise using geofencing and location-based marketing.
Mobile Apps
One of the broadest yet most effective ways to reach your audience is through mobile apps. Popular apps like The Weather Channel, Spotify, and social media platforms remain excellent choices due to their high engagement rates. To enhance targeting, brands should focus on the apps their customers frequently use. For example, fitness brands or gyms can advertise on health and sports-related apps, while luxury retailers might focus on travel or lifestyle apps.
Hyper-Local
For any business with a storefront, targeting your local community is a sure way to find potential customers. Create a geofence within a reasonable radius of your business and deliver personalized ads to mobile phones in the area. Whether they live in the area or are passing through, these users are more likely to know the area and how to get to you. With a little incentive, like a locals only promo, you can drive new customers to your store.
Events Your Customers Attend
In 2025, in-person events are thriving. Conferences, trade shows, and sports events are excellent opportunities to build brand awareness. By geofencing these events, businesses can serve relevant ads to attendees who fit their ideal customer profile. Whether it’s a seminar for tech professionals or a major sports championship, strategic event-based advertising ensures your brand stays top-of-mind among a highly engaged audience.
Places Your Customers Visit
Beyond events, brands should consider geofencing locations their customers frequent. A fitness brand could target gyms, running trails, and sporting goods stores, while a hotel or travel agency might geofence airports or tourist attractions. Auto insurance providers could focus on car dealerships and service centers, ensuring their message reaches the right audience at the right time.
Targeting Your Competitors’ Customers
One of the most effective strategies in location-based marketing is geoconquesting—placing geofences around competitor locations. If a potential customer is already shopping at a competitor’s store, they might be open to considering an alternative. Geoconquesting enables businesses to serve targeted ads with competitive offers, persuading consumers to switch brands and drive business away from competitors.
Retargeting Past Customers and Visitors
Geofencing your own store allows businesses to retarget previous visitors. This strategy is particularly useful for encouraging repeat business and nurturing potential customers who visited but didn’t make a purchase. By using retargeting, brands can serve personalized ads featuring promotions, reminders, or loyalty rewards to keep customers engaged and drive conversions.
How To Get Started
Wherever you choose to advertise in 2025, go where your customers are. Utilize geofencing and location-based marketing to precisely target potential buyers with relevant, hyper-specific messaging. Use A/B testing to refine your strategy and discover the most effective ads. Offering discounts, promotions, or loyalty programs can further increase engagement and drive foot traffic. By leveraging these techniques, businesses can maximize their advertising impact in 2025 and beyond.