More reasons have arrived to grab your phone while you are already busy. Mobile check ins are quickly gaining popularity and it won’t be long before its a norm to reach for your phone and broadcast your whereabouts. Mobile applications such as Foursquare and Gowala offer user incentives such as points and leader boards, as well as even the chance to become “Mayor” of a venue. Loopt has been offering a check in service for awhile but without the social gaming aspect of it. Now both Loopt and Yelp have started giving their users the ability to check in for benefits. Loopt allows businesses to offer special discounts to users that perform certain deeds like visit a venue at a particular time of the day or come with a friend. Yelp has introduced “regulars” just as Foursquare has “mayors”. This gives businesses a chance to participate with their most frequent visitors by giving discounts to the current mayor or regulars. So next time you are at the local pizza shop make sure to check in because you might get a free slice out of it. If not, at least you will climb the leader boards.
~ Zane