The experience of shoppers has changed dramatically in the digital era – both online and in person. Alongside these changes has naturally come a change in the expectations of shoppers when they go out to a mall or shopping center. More than ever before, today’s customer expects convenience and seamless experiences. Retail property owners can leverage digital mapping technology to enhance the navigation and shopping experience of customers in their spaces. Choosing the right indoor mapping software is a crucial step in ensuring that you can meet the expectations of the modern consumer. A great digital mapping software can connect users to your stores on multiple touchpoints, provide powerful advertising tools, and help you collect data to optimize your strategy. Guests can interact with maps on kiosks installed throughout your space, or easily access maps and digital directories with the scan of a QR code, creating a perfectly seamless navigation experience.
At the end of the day, choosing the right digital mapping solution is about more than helping customers navigate; it’s about creating an immersive, interactive experience to truly connect customers with the vision of your space. By adopting this technology, you can offer an enhanced shopping experience that keeps customers coming back for their retail needs. But what exactly should you look for in an indoor mapping software? Here are the top features that will set you apart from the competition.
1. Seamless Multi-Platform Integration
Imagine searching through an interactive directory on a state of the art touch screen kiosk, creating a turn by turn route to the destination of your choice, and then scanning a code on screen to take your route with you on your mobile device. These are the types of seamless customer journeys that any great mapping software should help you offer your customers.
Some mapping softwares will offer one size fits all solutions, but you should seek out mapping providers that can implement custom integrations to meet the specific needs of your business. Want to integrate your maps with your website or custom mobile app? Interested in building custom experiences on your maps with augmented reality or AI? A great mapping provider will be able to integrate with preexisting systems using SDKs and APIs to seamlessly connect your maps to every touch point.
A well-integrated digital mapping system also allows for updates and changes to be reflected across all platforms instantly, ensuring that your visitors have access to the most current information at all times.
2. Customization to Meet Evolving Needs
Your indoor mapping software needs to be customizable to meet the ever-evolving needs of your business. Your space is unique and your mapping solution should reflect that, be it through a comprehensive digital directory with customizable information on your stores, custom ads and promotions to promote deals and events, or a unique appearance that amplifies your brand identity. Whether you’re managing a mall, a retail property, or any other large venue, the ability to customize your map is a high priority.
Your mapping software also should be scalable in order to accommodate growth within your business. Whether you need to accommodate more users, add new features, create new custom integrations, you need a software powerful and flexible enough to cover the unique needs of your business. The more adaptable your software, the more effectively maps can serve your visitors and support your business objectives.
3. Tailored Price Plans
The right indoor mapping solution for your business will have tailored price points to meet your needs. Not all companies have the same budgets or objectives, and an experienced mapping provider will take that into account when creating their plans. Solutions like MapVX factor in property size, user volume, and desired features and integrations to offer a fully customized price plan to fit your business.
A successful partnership between you and an indoor mapping provider goes beyond the initial sale. Look for a service that values your input and is committed to adapting your mapping package to your needs as your business grows and changes over time.
4. Analytics
In the world of retail properties and large venues, understanding visitor behavior is key. One of the best features an indoor mapping software can offer is robust analytics to provide valuable insights into how visitors interact with your space. This information is critical for better decision-making about layout changes, promotional strategies, and signage in high-traffic areas.
Analytics can track foot traffic while engagement metrics help you understand how visitors use different features of your map, such as searches, clicks, and time spent on each section. Using this information hand-in-hand with advertising and promotional tools can help you boost your revenue and engagement. With analytics, you can refine your strategies to enhance user experience and increase operational efficiency. For example, if a particular store is receiving more searches than others, you may decide to promote it more heavily or offer exclusive deals.
5. Dedicated Customer Service
Your indoor mapping solution needs a dedicated customer service team to offer expert support every step of the way. Ongoing communication between you and your mapping provider is essential for continuous growth as your mapping needs evolve.
From the initial setup to training your staff to using the software effectively, you should work closely with your indoor mapping software developers to tailor your technology package to your property’s needs. This expert level of customer care will allow you to focus on what you do best—serving your customers. Additionally, having a customer success team on standby can lead to quicker resolutions and minimize potential disruptions to your operations should any issues arise.
Conclusion: Indoor Mapping Software can Transform Your Business
Digital kiosks and interactive indoor mapping solutions are modern mall must-haves and transform your retail space into a dynamic, interactive environment where visitors can easily find what they need. By integrating these advanced features into your indoor mapping software, you can create a seamless, engaging experience that meets the needs of both your business and your visitors. Revolutionize your retail property with real-time updates and comprehensive listings to provide visitors with accurate, up-to-date information and experiences at their fingertips.