What is NFC technology?

NFC (Near Field Communication) is a wireless communication technology that allows data to be exchanged over short distances of up to 10 cm.

In recent years, NFC technology has been used extensively in various areas of our lives. You probably don’t even suspect that you are an active user. It is technology that you can use to pay for the items you buy in a shop using your phone. But that’s not all.

Let’s take a look at its technical features, why it is safe for payment transactions, and how it can save money of businesses and attract new customers.

What is NFC Marketing?

NFC (Near Field Communication) is a wireless communication technology that allows data to be exchanged over short distances of up to 10 cm. In recent years, NFC technology has been used extensively in various areas of our lives. You probably don’t even suspect that you are an active user. It is technology that you can use to pay for the items you buy in a shop using your phone. But that’s not all. Let’s take a look at its technical features, why it is safe for payment transactions, and how it can save money of businesses and attract new customers.

How can it help promote my product or service? 

An NFC tag is a powerless microchip built into a product, a label, a poster on the shop window, a tag, a ticket… anywhere

This pictogram means TAP HERE to learn more and gain experience of interaction with the NFC tag.

As a marketing specialist, you can create NFC tags that provide extended product information, activate special offers, and have powerful interactive features.

How do I use it in business? 

NFC tags make it possible to turn any ad into an interactive experience

Magazines, shop windows, posters, packaging, etc. – all of this gives you new opportunities to interact with the customer. Shoppers tapping the NFC tag with their smartphones can access more detailed product information, videos, find nearby stores, navigate business locations and get social proofs with just one tap.

Example of using NFC by Samsung

The best way to demonstrate the benefits of a smartphone that supports NFC is to show it in action. Samsung did this in its advertising campaign in 2012 when presenting the Samsung Galaxy S III. Posters with intriguing inscriptions “I have a song for you” and “I have a story for you” appeared in 8 major American cities. Poster models offered passers-by to download an exclusive book or song, by placing their smartphone near the tag on the poster. The results of the campaign were impressive – 1.4 billion interactions and dozens of publications in the mass media.

Distribute interactive business cards

People enter a website URL from a business card quite rarely. Make it easier for consumers to access your website and save your contact with a single click.

Are you a manufacturer? Do you manufacture electronics? Give your customers an opportunity to find information about a user manual and access warranty service with a single tap. Do you manufacture furniture? Add a tag to the packaging and give customers detailed instructions on assembly and use; no more printed instructions. An NFC tag can also lead consumers to step-by-step videos and detailed instructions.

The tag on the product packaging will give you the opportunity to show recipes for using the product. No need to look for recipes on the internet any more.

Add people to a loyalty programme

Use NFC to engage customers in your loyalty programme. Let them start earning bonuses now! This will increase the probability of another purchase.

Link to special offers, related products, reorder 

The tag embedded in the packaging can be directed to your website where people can take advantage of offers, place an order, or find related products.

How do I use it for tourism?

Ask customers to get information on their phone on how to get to the event venue, parking, attraction or other location faster. Make it possible to download maps and other information directly to your smartphone.

Tags in a museum will help create interactive opportunities for improving interaction – these can be audio/video tours, information about the exhibit.

Do you organise exhibitions and events? Quick registration, information about a conference schedule, participants, additional information about the company/product.

How do I use it for a restaurant or cafe?

You no longer need menus, which there are not always enough of during peak hours. Just place the flyer with a tag on the table... Simple for guests and significantly reduces the time waiting for staff. Increase the speed of service, as the waiter will come when the customer is ready to make an order.

Are you a coffee shop? Tell your customers more about the coffee you make and let them make the order and pay without waiting for the waiter.

Share your WiFi password securely

You are always asked what your WiFi password is. A little NFC tag can help with this without you having to say the password. You can write the WiFi password in the NFC tag and place it in a visible spot in a cafe, hotel lobby, or on a desk in a cafe, so everyone can connect to WIFI with one touch.

Play!

People like games – it’s fascinating. Create quests, tests, surveys, encourage people to buy more by earning points in the virtual world you have created.

NFC example from McDonald's

In 2012, one of the establishments of the network launched the advertising campaign Happy Table. With the development of the mobile kids’ games industry, the brand had a task – to draw kid’s attention to traditional Happy Meal kits with plastic toys. The McDonald’s team developed an interactive game that brings Happy Meal toys to life with NFC tags and a smartphone. At first, only one establishment in Singapore had such a table to play. After receiving positive feedback from the users of the establishment, networks in other countries also turned ordinary wooden tables into fields for the game.

You can use NFC even if you don’t have a business

If you are planning a wedding or other event... order invitations with NFC. You can share all the details... when, where, at what time, how to get there and so on.