Location-based social media platforms are ideal for brick and mortar establishments. They are easy to use and can help your business grow and achieve competitiveness in a short period.

No doubt Google Places is the undisputed leader of discovery tools, based on scale and adoption. But still, Yelp and FourSquare have their place. Yelp and FourSquare bridge the gap with depth.

 

What Makes Yelp and FourSquare Ideal?

With over 120 million visitors every month and 53 million reviews, it is easy to understand why Yelp usually is so successful as a social media marketing platform. Yelp results are also on the first page, which increases visibility for businesses that are short on advertising budget.

Most individuals these days use their phones to search for products, and this is where Yelp excels. It has an excellent web and app experience on mobile.

On the other hand, FourSquare is mobile devices-friendly and boasts up to 45 million users and has vast databases for user-generated geolocation. Unlike Yelp, which depends on long-form reviews, users can leave single-phrase reviews or tips. The long-form reviews can sometimes discourage the submission of reviews.

FourSquare has robust and discrete controls. Users can filter for relevance, rating, specials, distance, and time of day, among others for more accurate results.

As a small or new business with a limited budget, choosing between the two location-based social marketing tools is not as clear-cut as you may think. You have to consider several factors such as objectives. What kinds of clientele are you trying to woo?

FourSquare is an easy choice if your business customers are younger and social or your niche is the business traveler market. On the other hand, Yelp has perfected the art of courting customer reviews and is ideal for a business struggling for visibility. The ball is in your court.