Location-based wallet notifications: How to bring customers back automatically

Find out how location-based wallet notifications work! Automatically bring customers back when they’re near your premises. No app required.

Location-based wallet notifications: How to bring customers back automatically

What if your customer’s phone popped up with a friendly message just as they were approaching your premises? Location-based wallet notifications do exactly that, without your customer having to download yet another distracting app. In this guide, you’ll learn how to boost your business with these automatic reminders and how to avoid complicated technical set-ups.

You know as well as I do that most paper-based loyalty cards end up in the bin or buried at the back of a drawer, whilst developing your own mobile app costs a fortune and takes ages. stmpr helps you launch a modern and professional digital loyalty programme where rewards always stay in the customer’s pocket. We’ll show you how to bring your customers back in a fully automated way, making the most of smartphones’ built-in features, whilst taking the customer experience to the next level.

We’ll cover the technical capabilities of Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, including proximity features and customisable messages. We’ll walk you through every step of the set-up process, so by the end of this article you’ll have a clear understanding of how a loyalty card can be transformed into a smart digital tool. This solution alerts you when a customer is in your vicinity and is most likely to pop in for another stamp or reward.

Key Points

  • You’ll learn how location-based wallet notifications work and why they’re more effective than paper-based cards at retaining customers.

  • You’ll learn about the technical features of Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, which you can use without needing to develop your own mobile app.

  • You’ll get specific ideas for encouraging customers to follow their morning routine or redeem their next reward when they’re in the vicinity of your premises.

  • We’ll show you how to launch your first campaign using the stmpr dashboard during the 14-day trial period.

  • You’ll learn how to precisely target location-based messages that aren’t intrusive, yet always remain visible on locked phone screens.

Table of Contents

Why are location-based wallet notifications important for your loyalty programme?

The beauty of location-based wallet notifications lies in their simplicity. Imagine your customer is walking down the street where your shop is located, and their phone automatically displays a message from their loyalty card. This isn’t a complicated technological maze, but the cornerstone of modern customer retention. stmpr helps you achieve this feature without having to develop a separate mobile app, so you can instantly give your business a professional look.

The system is based on increasing visibility. When a customer approaches your premises, the Wallet card pops up on their locked screen. They don’t need to search through apps or rummage in their pockets. This digital notification reminds them of your business at exactly the moment when it’s easiest for them to decide to pop in. The stmpr system is based on Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, so it works natively on most smartphones.

The difference between paper-based cards and digital reminders

Customers often leave traditional paper cards at home or misplace them. In contrast, they almost always have their smartphone with them. The biggest advantage of the digital transition is the frictionless process. Built on the principles of proximity marketing, the system activates when a guest is physically able to visit your premises. This automated visibility builds trust. With stmpr’s solutions, small businesses can use the same professional technology as large international chains.

  • A digital loyalty card can never be lost or worn out.

  • Automatic display reduces mental barriers to purchasing.

  • A professional appearance immediately boosts your business’s credibility.

How does precise timing improve the customer experience?

A well-timed notification is not intrusive advertising, but a useful reminder of the stamps already collected. If a customer sees that they are just one stamp short of redeeming their next reward, they are much more likely to walk through the door. With location-based reminders, you can encourage a visit at just the right moment, without coming across as pushy.

This solution offers a personalised experience without any technical difficulties. The customised card and accompanying messages set up on the stmpr control panel interface reinforce your brand every time a guest is in your vicinity. Visitors appreciate the convenience and modern approach, whilst you gain a measurable, automated system to help increase footfall.

How do location-based reminders work in practice?

The technology is based on the location tracking system built into smartphones, which allows location-based wallet notifications to be delivered automatically. This solution does not require complex development, as Apple Wallet and Google Wallet are already pre-installed on customers’ devices. The process is simple: when a customer approaches the venue, the operating system detects their coordinates and displays a reminder of the Wallet card on the screen.

Although the aim is the same, the two major platforms handle the display differently. Apple Wallet allows you to write a custom message on the lock screen, whilst Google Wallet’s system uses more automated wording. On the stmpr control panel interface, you can specify the exact coordinates of your premises, which is critical for reliable operation. Following the principles of ‘Geofencing Marketing Explained’, the system is most effective when the notification radius is strictly limited to the immediate vicinity of the shop.

Data protection and trust: we do not track guests

Many people are concerned about their privacy, so it is important to clarify: stmpr does not track the customer’s continuous route. Location tracking takes place not in the cloud, but locally, on the customer’s phone. The operating system only sends a signal to the Wallet card when the device enters the specified zone. This method is extremely battery-efficient and guarantees the security of the guest’s data, which is essential for building long-term trust.

Configuration options in the stmpr system

The setup process is quick and straightforward. Using the control panel, you can enter the venue’s address and set the notification radius. Here, you can also enter the text that will appear on the guest’s display. If you have multiple branches, you can register several locations in the Silver and Gold packages, ensuring that location-based wallet notifications work at all your outlets.

Once you’ve entered the correct details, the loyalty card will be activated immediately. It’s worth testing the distances to ensure the guest receives the prompt to visit at exactly the right moment. If you’d like to see how this works in practice, sign up for a free account and try out the system with no strings attached.

Strategic tips for winning back customers

Having the technology is only the first step. Real results come from a well-thought-out strategy. Location-based wallet notifications are most effective when linked to a specific customer routine or an imminent reward. The aim is for the customer not just to receive a message, but a relevant prompt that arrives at exactly the right moment.

For cafés and bakeries, this feature can be the driving force behind morning trade. When a customer walks past your shop on their way to work, a quick reminder about their favourite coffee or a fresh pastry will immediately draw them in. A well-structured loyalty scheme for cafés works best when the digital card automatically pops up on the phone’s screen, showing the stamps collected so far.

Restaurants can liven up the quieter afternoon hours by sending a short message to people in the vicinity. Beauty salons and gyms, meanwhile, can use the system to maintain motivation. If a customer sees that they’re just one stamp away from redeeming their next reward, they’re far more likely to pop in than they would be in response to a standard advert.

What message should you include in your Wallet card notification?

Less is sometimes more. On a locked phone screen, you only have a few words to grab their attention. Use short, punchy text that encourages action. Avoid generic marketing phrases and focus on the immediate benefit. A good example: ‘Just 2 more stamps for your next free coffee!’ This message is instantly clear and promises a specific reward.

Experts in *A Comprehensive Guide to Mobile Wallet Passes* also emphasise that the combination of urgency and reward yields the best results. stmpr helps you to edit these messages at any time via the dashboard, so you can always tailor your messaging to your current campaign.

Industry examples of effective use

For hairdressers and beauty salons, location-based wallet notifications help fill empty slots. If a customer is in the vicinity and receives a notification about available slots or their next reward, they are more likely to make a spontaneous decision. At gyms, a welcome message before entry or a reminder that a membership is about to expire boosts customer engagement.

In this form, the loyalty card also functions as a kind of digital membership pass. It not only collects stamps but also opens an active channel of communication between you and your guest. The stmpr system ensures that this connection is professional, automated and measurable across all your locations.

Launch your own loyalty programme now

How do you launch your own location-based campaign?

Launching a digital loyalty programme doesn’t require weeks of development or complex technical knowledge. stmpr helps you set up your own system in minutes and start bringing guests back straight away. The first step is to register on the stmpr platform, where you can try out all the features with no strings attached as part of a 14-day free trial.

Once you’ve registered, the dashboard will be your central hub. Here, you can customise the design of your Wallet card, upload your logo and choose colours that match your brand. Once you’ve finalised the visual elements, enter your venue details and activate the location-based feature. This will enable location-based Wallet notifications, which target people passing by based on the coordinates you’ve provided.

To activate the system, display the QR codes in clearly visible locations in your shop, such as on the counter or on tables. Customers simply need to scan the code with their phone, and the loyalty card is instantly added to the Apple or Google Wallet app. There’s no need to download a separate app; the process is quick and seamless.

Choose a package to suit your needs

stmpr offers flexible packages tailored to the size of your business. The free package is perfect for getting started, allowing you to test the system with up to 15 guests at a single location. If you’re looking to handle higher volumes, the Bronze package is available from a monthly fee of 8,990 HUF, which includes a fair-use guest limit. The Silver and Gold packages, meanwhile, allow you to manage 3 or 10 locations respectively, complete with detailed statistics.

Steps to a successful rollout

Technical set-up is just the beginning; training your staff is also essential for success. It is important that every staff member is confident in using the digital clocking-in system and understands the process for redeeming rewards. Before launching the campaign live, carry out a test using your own mobile phone outside the shop.

Check that location-based reminders appear at exactly the desired distance. After launch, monitor the dashboard data and fine-tune the text of the messages based on guest feedback. Continuous optimisation will help ensure that location-based wallet notifications result in a real increase in footfall.

Take the first step on the path to digital transformation and sign up today to retain your guests with modern tools.

Modernise the guest experience and boost your turnover

By using location-based wallet notifications, you gain a digital tool that engages your guests precisely when they are physically nearby. This solution eliminates the hassle associated with paper-based cards and ensures a professional look and feel across all your outlets. stmpr helps you launch your own loyalty programme in a matter of minutes, without any technical hurdles.

There’s no need to develop your own app, as the system natively supports Apple and Google Wallet solutions. Your guests can join the programme simply by scanning a single QR code, so their rewards and stamps are always right in their pockets. With this automated solution, you can not only boost your turnover but also take the guest experience to a whole new level.

Try stmpr free for 14 days and launch your first location-based campaign!

Take your customer retention to the next level and turn your visitors into returning customers with the help of state-of-the-art technology.

Frequently asked questions

Do guests need to download a separate app to receive notifications?

No, guests do not need to download any separate app onto their phones. The loyalty card is saved directly to the Apple Wallet or Google Wallet apps that come pre-installed on smartphones. This is a huge advantage, as guests are reluctant to download yet another app just for a single shop. Signing up is as simple as scanning a QR code, after which location-based wallet notifications are automatically triggered as soon as the guest approaches your premises.

Do location-based wallet notifications work on all phones?

Yes, the feature works on almost every modern smartphone that supports Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. However, it is essential that the customer enables location services and allows the Wallet app to send notifications on their device. Although the technology is native, the appearance and accuracy of detection may vary slightly depending on the operating systems and the GPS capabilities of the devices. The stmpr system has been designed to serve your guests as widely as possible.

How accurate is the location tracking near your shop?

Location accuracy generally corresponds to a radius of between 100 and 150 metres around your shop. For Apple devices, this is typically 100 metres, whilst when using Google Wallet, the range is approximately 150 metres. This distance is ideal for ensuring that the customer receives the message just as they are passing by, making it easy for them to pop in. The technology is based on geofencing, so it does not continuously track the customer’s route; it simply detects when they enter the zone.

Can I set up multiple shops for location-based notifications?

Of course, you can set up multiple branches, but the number of locations you can add depends on the package you choose. The Free and Bronze packages allow for a single location, whilst with the Silver package you can specify the coordinates of 3 different locations, and with the Gold package, up to 10 different locations via the control panel interface. This means that location-based wallet notifications will be active for all your outlets, ensuring that guests receive relevant and accurate reminders whenever they are near any of your shops.

Can guests turn these notifications off?

Yes, guests have full control over the notifications and can switch them off at any time in their phone’s settings. A prerequisite for location-based wallet notifications is the guest’s explicit consent to the use of location data within the Wallet app. This trust-based approach ensures that the messages are not intrusive for users. In our experience, guests are happy to keep this feature switched on if they receive genuine value in return, such as stamps or rewards.

How much does it cost to use the location-based feature on stmpr?

The location-based feature is essentially available in every stmpr package, so you can try it out even in the free version. You don’t have to pay a separate fee for this technology; it forms an integral part of the digital loyalty card system. Costs depend more on the number of guests and any additional marketing features. The Bronze package, for example, offers an unlimited number of guests under a ‘fair use’ policy from a monthly fee of 8,990 HUF, which represents excellent value for money for the automated tools designed to boost turnover.

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