Brightkite was one of the first location-based services that allows customers to check-in at your business using a mobile device. It provides you with valuable information about your customers and offers many advertising opportunities.

• Before You Start: You have a business with walk-in customers. It helps to have a Twitter business account, but that is not required.
• Learning Level: 2 | Getting Started
• Article Last Updated:  Sunday, January 23, 2011

Note: Starting 1 January 2011, Brightkite will no longer be a location-based service. This article remains to explain their check-in service features for historical purpose.

Brightkite Basics

Brightkite was one of the first location-based services to join the social media toolbox. Started in 2005, Brightkite allows customers to check-in when they arrive at your business. It lacks the game aspect common to the newer location-based services, but it allows customers to post photographs and comments about your business. Brightkite has mobile applications for the iPhone, android phones, and the BlackBerry.

Your Business Details And Activity

You must create a free Brightkite account and log in to access information about your business. Locate your business through a place search, or simply check-in at your business on your computer. Click on your business name to display a page about your business. The page includes a link to Google Maps but doesn’t provide access to your Place Page (if your business has one).

The most valuable information here are the statistics that show you the number of people who have checked in at your business and the names of these users. Most people have a photograph avatar, so you can start to identify your Brightkite customers when they arrive.

The Brightkite Wall allows you to create a dynamic page for your location (or an event at your location) designed for you to display on a monitor in your business. The wall includes every Brightkite transation at your business and includes related tweets from Twitter.

Your business listing also includes a QR code for this page and an RSS feed of check-ins and posts about your business.

Brightkite has a business advertising program designed to help you with free local promotions and has partnered with several major brands to drive traffic through its Ultra Targeted marketing business. In fact, Brightkite has a large number of advertising options that might help you build traffic.

Your turn: Have you been monitoring customer check-ins at your business through Brightkite? Have you used any of their advertising or promotion services? Share your experience.

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