Like it or not Pokemon Go is here to stay. The new mobile game is taking the world by storm, becoming the most actively used mobile app over the course of a week and crushing giants like: Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat for daily active users. Niantic, the company that created Pokemon Go is just getting started.

Pokemon Go provides a unique opportunity for small businesses to increase revenue with minimal time and effort required. This article gives some tips for small businesses to leverage Pokemon Go to their benefit.

[themify_box style=”orange comment”]We realize this is not a web development hack, but it’s certainly a small business hack. I created this site to help small businesses so that’s why we wrote this article.[/themify_box]

1) Offer Exclusive deals to Pokemon Players

Advertise that you are a Pokemon Go friendly business. Some businesses are turning players away because they are afraid the new foot traffic will not include paying customers. Instead, utilize signs to market that Pokemon trainers are welcome as long as they buy something. If you wanted to be extra trainer friendly, you could offer free charging stations with purchase. The reality is that Pokemon trainers will not stay too long, as the game encourages them to ‘go’ (Pokemon Go).

2) Advertise having in-game gyms, pokestops, and certain Pokemon near your business.

If you play the game, you know that players are always looking for specific types of Pokemon. If you can figure out what type of Pokemon are near your business (if you are located near the ocean, you will have water types etc), post it on social media or even physically at the business location. Players will hang out until they find what they want, hopefully buy something on impulse in the process, and then be on their way.

3) Leverage social media to get more exposure with players.

Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest are all exploding with Pokemon Go content. I casually re-posted a video on Instagram reminding trainers not to play while driving and received 1500 views. That is about 15 times the amount of views I normally receive on my personal Instagram account. Learn the hashtags, you can even google ‘Pokemon Go hashtag’ and find a bunch of great hashtags to get you started.

4) Keep “lures” up by your business location

In Golden Hill, San Diego, California there are two coffee shops right next to each other: Darkhorse and Krakatoa. If a Pokemon Go player is deciding which business to purchase coffee, they will generally go with the one that has a lure stationed. One lure lasts 30 minutes and draws players to that specific location (the radius is about one block from the center). The cost of one lure in-game is 80 pokecoins (equivalent to 0.80 USD).

5) Create Pokemon Go Events

Having a slow day at your business? Create events that are Pokemon Go-centric. However, be careful not to create divisions between teams. At some locations, businesses are advertising examples like “Twenty percent off for Blue Team players.” This can create antagonism from players from the other two teams (more than half your potential clients!). In the game, players are forced to choose between three factions and is a choice that cannot be altered. If you have three business days that are slower than others, you can do Blue Mondays, Red Tuesdays, and Yellow Wednesdays.

This is just an introduction. If you really want to understand Pokemon Go, you might consider playing it. Good luck and we hope this article helps you to ‘catch-em-all’ (the customers).

[themify_box style=”highlight”]This article was written in collaboration with Nohea Cerizo. You can connect with her via Instagram (@Sandiego_Dogsitter).[/themify_box]