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Mobile Device Targeting for Local Marketing Success

Mobile device targeting is a critical tool for businesses looking to connect with their audience in meaningful, location-specific ways. For companies operating in competitive markets, especially those targeting local consumers, mobile device targeting allows you to engage with potential customers at the exact moment they are on-the-go, increasing your chances of conversion.
At Canopy Ad Co., we understand the power of location-based marketing. As a trusted digital marketing partner, we help businesses, including those in the senior living, healthcare, and local services industries, leverage mobile device targeting to drive more qualified leads and improve customer engagement.
This article will explain how mobile device targeting works, why it’s an essential tool for local marketing, and how businesses can use it to drive success.
1. What is Mobile Device Targeting?
Mobile device targeting is a form of location-based marketing that uses GPS, Bluetooth, and other data points to target users with relevant advertisements based on their physical location. With the widespread use of smartphones, this technology allows businesses to engage with consumers right at their fingertips, wherever they are.
When a user enters a specific geographic area or interacts with a particular type of business or service, businesses can trigger highly relevant ads or notifications directly to their mobile devices. These ads can appear in the form of push notifications, display ads, or even app-based messaging.
2. Why Mobile Device Targeting is Essential for Local Marketing
In a city like Charlotte, NC, where local businesses compete for attention, mobile device targeting is an invaluable asset. The key to success lies in understanding why mobile marketing resonates so well in today’s digital landscape:
Relevance and Timing
Consumers are constantly on their mobile devices, whether they are looking for local services, browsing social media, or making purchasing decisions. Mobile device targeting allows businesses to deliver ads in real-time, ensuring that they reach the right person, with the right message, at the perfect time. For instance, a potential customer driving near your senior living community can receive an immediate ad inviting them to schedule a tour.
Local Engagement
One of the biggest advantages of mobile device targeting is its ability to focus on local audiences. For businesses in Charlotte, this is especially valuable, as it allows you to focus your efforts on consumers who are physically nearby and more likely to engage with your services. Whether it’s attracting foot traffic to a retail store or driving in-person visits to a local senior living community, location-based ads can drive higher conversion rates.
Increased Conversion Rates
The precision offered by mobile device targeting enables businesses to connect with people who have already shown some level of interest in their services. This type of highly personalized advertising leads to better engagement and improved conversion rates compared to traditional advertising methods.
Cost-Effective
Mobile device targeting is often more cost-effective than broad advertising methods. Businesses only pay when users engage with the ad, which can lead to better returns on investment (ROI). With location-based targeting, businesses can tailor their ads to specific neighborhoods or regions within Charlotte, ensuring that their budget is spent on the most relevant leads.
3. Types of Mobile Device Targeting and How They Work
There are several types of mobile device targeting that can be used to reach local audiences. Below are some of the most popular methods:
Geofencing
Geofencing involves setting up a virtual boundary around a specific geographic area. When a user enters or exits this area, they trigger an action, such as receiving a push notification or an ad on their mobile device. For businesses in Charlotte, this could mean targeting potential customers as they enter the vicinity of your senior living community or a competitor’s location.
How Geofencing Can Be Used for Senior Living Marketing
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Send targeted ads for free consultations or virtual tours to families who are nearby your community or local healthcare facilities.
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Increase foot traffic by sending exclusive offers when users are within a set distance of your location.
Beacon Technology
Similar to geofencing, beacon technology uses Bluetooth signals to send messages to users’ mobile devices. This technology works well in indoor environments such as shopping malls, retail stores, and senior living communities. When someone with Bluetooth enabled walks near a beacon, they receive notifications or ads tailored to their needs.
How Beacons Can Be Used for Senior Living Marketing
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Incentivize visits by offering special promotions or discounts to families who are physically inside your senior living community.
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Improve in-person engagement by sending personalized messages about the services you offer to visitors.
IP Targeting
IP targeting allows businesses to target mobile devices based on the IP addresses of the devices that connect to Wi-Fi networks within a specific area. This is particularly useful for businesses with fixed locations or offices, such as senior living communities, where visitors frequently connect to Wi-Fi.
How IP Targeting Can Be Used for Senior Living Marketing
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Target visitors to your facility with customized ads or promotions after they’ve connected to your Wi-Fi.
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Reach out to healthcare professionals who are visiting local hospitals or medical offices to offer services to patients and their families.
Behavioral Targeting
Behavioral targeting goes beyond location and uses data collected from users’ online activities, such as browsing behavior, search history, and app usage. By using this data, businesses can show ads to users based on their interests or previous interactions with similar services.
How Behavioral Targeting Can Be Used for Senior Living Marketing
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Target families actively researching senior care options or related services in Charlotte, ensuring your community is one of the first they see.
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Retarget visitors who’ve visited your website or requested information but haven’t yet scheduled a tour.
4. Best Practices for Mobile Device Targeting in Senior Living Marketing
To make the most of mobile device targeting, businesses must follow best practices to ensure their campaigns are effective and engaging.
Personalize Your Messaging
Personalized messages lead to higher engagement and conversion rates. Use the data you collect to craft messages that resonate with the target audience’s needs and preferences. For example, an ad for a free tour might work well for a potential resident who has shown interest in your community, while a message about memory care services would be more relevant for a family searching for specific care options.
Keep It Simple and Direct
Mobile ads need to be concise and clear. Mobile users have limited attention spans, so ensure that your message is short, engaging, and easy to understand. Use strong calls to action (CTAs) that encourage users to take the next step—whether it’s scheduling a tour, requesting more information, or calling your community.
Optimize for Mobile Devices
Ensure that your website, landing pages, and ads are mobile-friendly. Mobile users expect fast loading times, easy navigation, and clear information. Test your mobile experience regularly to ensure a seamless journey from the first touchpoint to the final conversion.
Track and Measure Performance
Regularly track your campaigns’ performance to ensure they’re meeting your goals. Measure key metrics like click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and cost per acquisition (CPA) to determine the effectiveness of your mobile targeting strategy. Use this data to tweak and optimize your campaigns for better results.
5. How to Integrate Mobile Device Targeting with Other Marketing Channels
Mobile device targeting doesn’t need to be a standalone strategy. By integrating it with other digital marketing efforts, businesses can create a more cohesive, cross-channel marketing strategy.
Combine with Email Campaigns
Incorporate mobile device targeting into your email marketing strategy by sending mobile-friendly emails and triggering ads for users who click through from the email. This creates a seamless experience for families as they move from email engagement to mobile ad interaction.
Pair with Programmatic Advertising
Mobile device targeting works well with programmatic advertising, which automates the buying and placement of ads across various channels. By integrating both strategies, businesses can create hyper-targeted campaigns that reach consumers at the right time, across the right channels.
Social Media Integration
Mobile ads work hand-in-hand with social media marketing. By combining mobile device targeting with Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn ads, businesses can reach local consumers with personalized, location-based messages that drive engagement and conversions.
6. Conclusion
In a competitive market like Charlotte, NC, where businesses are vying for the attention of local consumers, mobile device targeting provides a unique opportunity to connect with prospects in real-time, wherever they are. Whether through geofencing, beacons, or behavioral targeting, mobile ads allow you to engage with families and individuals at the moment they are most likely to make a decision.
For businesses, particularly senior living communities, using mobile device targeting can help increase brand visibility, drive higher conversion rates, and build stronger local engagement.
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