WiFi advertising: how to leverage WiFi networks in public places
Public hotspots are now available in many public spaces such as bars, restaurants, malls or hotels, allowing WiFi network administrators to generate leads for their end-user customers.
WiFi hotspots have become the preferred medium for owners venue to generate and engage with on-site leads. Indeed, when deploying a public hotspot in a shop, for example, the WiFi network administrator is collecting data directly from customers and can use it for marketing purposes (such as newsletters). But WiFi hotspots can also be turned into an advertising tool enabling venues to promote goods and services and offset costs of WiFi infrastructures. Indeed, Tanaza features an advertising tool for display advertisements such as videos or images. This tool permits to show relevant content to the right audience and so to promote services and goods or offer discounts directly to customers.
While configuring the splash page of the public hotspot, WiFi administrators can decide the type of ads rotation:
None: Image or video advertisement will be displayed as is.
Random: Image or video advertisements will be displayed at random rotation (no specific order) on the Splash Page.
Time-based: The system will switch automatically from one advertisement to the other after a determined period (1 minute, a few hours, etc.)
WiFi network administrators can build new business relationships by showing advertisements for shops or services located in a given area. For example, when offering free WiFi in a coffee shop close to a mall, the WiFi network administrator could promote one shop located in the mall.
Thanks to the data collected and stored on the Tanaza analytics dashboard, WiFi network administrator gets insight about the clientele of one venue and can personalise messages or media on the hotspot splash page. For example, if WiFi users in a coffee are mainly teenagers and young adults, consider showing relevant advertisement like teenager clothing shops and entertainment activities in the same area.
Tanaza splash page editor also allows WiFi network administrators to add links on the captive portalso that WiFi users can be redirected to an e-commerce platform or any other websites.
In conclusion, Tanaza advertising tool improves customers retention and engagement, while monetising any public hotspots structure.
Tanaza new feature idea: Leverage custom form fields to obtain more data about WiFi users
SITUATION
WiFi Social login facilitates the customers’ experience when trying to connect to a WiFi network and provides user data to network administrators who wish to promote their product or service based on data-driven decisions.
When deploying a public WiFi network, authentication methods like WiFi social login can help any type of business generate new leads and increase its brand awareness. The social login authentication method gathers important data like user email address, phone number, gender, age, birth date, location, and name, etc.
Thanks to Tanaza’s WiFi Authentication Splash Page, which already includes social login capabilities, network administrators can leverage the personal data shared on social networks to create targeted marketing campaigns based on a user’s profile info. However, as not all users make their information public on their social networks, in some cases it is possible that the user data provided by social networks is not enough to develop a targeted marketing campaign.
SOLUTION
With this in mind, Tanaza has plans to develop a new feature that helps network administrators collect custom data in addition to the data already collected once they have already authenticated using popular methods like social login.
The idea behind this feature is to provide a system that allows network administrators to request additional information about their users by inserting a custom form field after social authentication and before optional social actions that users must fill in before connecting to the WiFi. Furthermore, since the data collected is not always 100% reliable, this feature could also function as a form of verification regarding the accuracy of any previous data collected.
EXAMPLE
One of the most common use case scenarios where a feature like this could be applied is one where network administrators deploy public hotspots in locations like shopping centers in order to collect relevant data about their visitors.
So, say a user at a mall authenticates through social login, the network administrator could also use custom form fields to request additional info, such as their fidelity card number and their mobile number. The fidelity card number would enable the network administrator to understand who the user is and targeted it more closely with discounts and offers tailored specifically to the user, whereas the mobile number would serve as a verification system in order to identify the number of users (one phone number = one wifi user) or to avoid the creation of fake accounts. A OTP (One Time Password) would be sent to the mobile number, which the user would be asked to copy-paste the code into the splash page in order to complete the login.
This feature could allow network admins to practice data profiling with the data collected using popular login methods like social login or coupons, and at the same time collect custom verified data to support a variety of loyalty marketing campaigns.
The incremental field verification feature could be made available after any kind of login available on the captive portal, including coupons. If you wish to see this feature developed by Tanaza’s R&D team, you can upvote it on our success portal.
WiFi is now a fundamental service developed in public places to enhance customers experience and engage with them. It is true that people are usually expecting to connect to a WiFi network for free. Nevertheless, in some particular cases, customers are willing to pay to access to the internet. Indeed, according to the Devicescape, nearly 25% of 3,000 people surveyed said that they could pay up to $3 an hour for WiFi.
Thus the main difficulty for an internet service provider when selling WiFi is to strike the balance between the price of WiFi and the service provided. We recommend WiFi professionals to configure paid hotspots only if there are not too many free hotspots in the same area. The WiFi network administrator has to bring an added-value to WiFi users to encourage them to pay. This could be for example the fact that there is no free alternative, or an extra capability for the user when browsing the internet.
The typical environments to develop WiFi paid hotspot are public places like airports, trainstations, hotels, conferences and events or holiday resorts. Indeed, by using the Tanaza couponing system, WiFi network administrators can manage the expiration date, the session duration, the number of allowed devices, the bandwidth per SSID and the maximum amount of data in download and upload, allowing them to suggest different offers to WiFi users.
One possible configuration in an airport could be to provide 10 minutes of free WiFi with limited upload data and then, sell coupons for unlimited WiFi session to WiFi users who need more. The custom splash page should show to WiFi users which are the different possibilities by displaying a message such as “use WiFi for free for 10 minutes. Buy a coupon for unlimited internet session”. Coupons can be sold directly to a front desk or through external splash pages featuring a credit card system or a PayPal platform.
The Tanaza couponing system allows WiFi network administrators to generate tons of coupon passwords quickly and to control the usage of these.
All details are stored on the dashboard such as the status (used/unused), the date of creation, the expiration date, the download quota, the upload quota and the number of devices connected. Coupons can also be invalidated or reprinted.
We recommend WiFi network administrators to configure at least two different public SSIDs: the first one with limited bandwidth, limited time session and a limited number of devices per user. The second one, with the coupon login mode, with unlimited bandwidth, unlimited time session and an unlimited number of devices per user.
Find out more information below in our Tanaza Couponing system presentation!
New Tanaza feature idea: collect customized users’ data together with verified phone numbers
The situation
When setting up WiFi guest access with the Tanaza captive portal, network administrators can choose among different login modes, such as social login, email authentication, phone number authentication, custom form, etc. These authentication methods gather data like email address, phone number, gender, age, birth date, location etc.
The form-based authentication is particularly useful when deploying WiFi networks in a hotel or in an airport. Indeed, it allows users to access WiFi by filling in the requested fields in a form and allows network admins to enrich their user database with lots of useful information.
However, the validity of this data is not 100% certain. Tanaza hotspot system allows WiFi administrators to collect data about WiFi users for marketing purposes. Nevertheless, data is not currently verified by the system which may make the collected data less reliable.
Tanaza has plans to help network administrators gather real insights about their WiFi users by implementing a verification system.
The solution
Some network administrators need to guarantee to their end-user customers the accuracy of the collected data. To do this, Tanaza has plans to develop a form-based authentication with phone number verification which would allow WiFi administrators to gather custom data about WiFi users together with a verified phone number.
The scenario would be for example, in a hotel the network administrator sets up guest access with form-based authentication, asking information like name, surname, type of traveller (couple, family, worker, group), and a required field for phone number. Once the user fills the form and clicks on the button, an OTP (One Time Password) will be sent to that mobile number, that the user will copy into the splash page in order to complete the login.
It is more or less the same process than creating a Facebook account or a WhatsApp account. This feature could also be developed for the social login authentication so that the phone numbers gathered through Facebook WiFi authentication are verified, as well.
This feature would allow WiFi administrators of public places to collect verified data for marketing purposes. Indeed, after asking for WiFi users consent, the network administrator can run marketing campaign using the phone numbers collected. Moreover, Tanaza Remember Me feature allows one returning user to automatically connect to the WiFi network using the same device, without seeing the splash page again. One single user can access the network with the same phone number for multiple devices which allows the administrator to understand better the number of single user.
If you like the feature of the phone verification together with the form-based authentication, you can upvote the idea on our website success.tanaza.
Should Tanaza support TRENDnet devices? Let us know!
Recently, one of our partners has mentioned us the TRENDnet access points and has requested us, whether we can make their wireless devices supported by Tanaza.
We like the idea of consumer-driven development and we continuously collect ideas for new features and compatible devices through our community success.tanaza.com. This means that if you want TRENDnet products to be made compatible with Tanaza, you just have to click on the links below and vote for devices. Our product team will review requests and will put devices on our roadmap if we receive many.
Well, let’s see what these devices do and how Tanaza’s firmware could improve their performances and management.
THE PRODUCT CATEGORIES
TRENDnet has a wide range of products, including routers, access points, adapters, extenders/repeaters, modems, switches, Power over Ethernet devices, Powerline communication devices, wired, USB, surveillance products.
In the networking hardware category, they have both wireless n devices (which include the well-known n300 TRENDnet router) and the high-speed (wireless ac) equipment.
The most powerful device in their portfolio is the TEW-829DRU ($263 on Amazon.com as of today), a tri-band access point with an excellent set of features and advanced settings, which, unfortunately, do not include any wireless controller feature or cloud management capability. The price tag is quite high, but that access point makes for a robust home network.
For businesses willing to install their devices on ceilings and use PoE to power them, TRENDnet markets the TEW-821DAP2KAC, a good option for businesses in need of a very simple captive portal and guest access functionality, managing up to 128 devices. Ideally, the kit might be used in offices to connect local devices and wireless-capable laptops through password-encrypted SSIDs.
This kit is a contender of the Ubiquiti UniFi family with the Ubiquiti UniFi Controller, but the UI is definitely less user-friendly and the price tag is higher ($349.99 on Amazon.com as of today for the kit including 2 wireless APs and PoE injectors).
We have seen the most powerful indoor devices and the best offering of TRENDnet for small and medium businesses. Let’s see know how making devices compatible with Tanaza improves their performances and adds new functionalities to them, and the list of products that Tanaza might make compatible in the future.
BENEFITS OF USING TANAZA’S FIRMWARE ON TRENDNET’S DEVICES
After one of our partners requested us to support these devices, we read a lot of web reviews about TRENDnet’s routers. However, our analysis was not 100% complete, so in case you have any specific questions about their products we encourage you to directly contact them at their support phone number, which is: +1-866-845-3673. Or just consult their website https://www.trendnet.com/.
What we have discovered, is that TRENDnet has an excellent set of features, quite extensive although not available on all devices. These features include parental controls, isolating guest networks from your devices and content, pre-encrypted WiFi ready-to-use out of the box, maps to locate access points within a location, guest networks (one SSID per each band), bandwidth management, system logs, diagnostic tools.
Using Tanaza’s firmware and cloud-based software has many sought-after benefits:
Cloud management for all devices, without hardware controllers. Cloud management in available also for devices that normally cannot be managed in a centralized way, or need a hardware controller. With an unlimited number of APs per network and in total (per account).
Possibility to create hybrid networks made of devices of various brands and product families: for example, you can extend your TRENDnet networks with Ubiquiti devices, and still manage all of them from a single centralized dashboard.
Compatibility with the latest products available but also (if requested) with discontinued and end-of-life products, which is a much-requested feature in the case the end user doesn’t want to change their wireless equipment for budget constraints.
A wide set of features for cloud management, including:
a nice and user-friendly UI which everyone understands in a blink of an eye without any training
a management dashboard which is accessible anytime, from anywhere, so that MSPs can manage their networks distributed across hundreds of locations comfortably from their desk (or sofa, if you like comfort)
reliable and highly-available infrastructure managed by Tanaza, with no need to check for firmware updates or to maintain the network, because you will be informed about future firmware releases from the cloud and you can upgrade your devices remotely (also in bunches).
Bandwidth control per SSID and per USER with a boost function
Managing all settings from the cloud, including VLANs, NAT, DHCP, TX power, channel selection and other radio settings, SSIDs, captive portal appearance, the password for WiFi access and so on – with settings applied in seconds remotely.
Advanced capabilities such as Syslog configuration, SSH and user scripts
An even wider set of features for guest access and hotspot management, including:
Social login, form-based authentication, coupons for paid WiFi and other much-requested authentication methods
Dashboard to see users’ details and contact information and interact with them
APIs and native integration with Mailchimp for email marketing to wifi users
A flexible, user-friendly tool to create multi-language responsive splash pages with advanced functionalities (advertising, social actions, acceptance of multiple terms and conditions, etc.) to solve any use case you might have
Hotspot roaming function and auto-login function for returning users.
DEVICES WHICH MIGHT BE COMPATIBLE WITH TANAZA CLOUD MANAGEMENT AND HOTSPOT SOFTWARE
TRENDnet’s N150 Wireless Home Router, model TEW-711BR, provides reliable 150Mbps wireless n speed and coverage to share files, play games, and surf the Internet.
TRENDnet’s N300 WiFi Router, model TEW-731BR, offers up to 300 Mbps wireless N networking to share files, play games, and surf the internet. Control access to the internet and manage bandwidth for devices connected to the router.
TRENDnet’s AC750 Wireless Travel Router, model TEW- 817DTR, is a powerful travel router for on the go professionals. Concurrent high-performance WiFi AC and N bands network all wireless devices. The compact router plugs directly into an outlet and interchangeable North America, Euro, and UK power prongs work on all continents.
TRENDnet’s AC3000 Tri-Band Wireless Gigabit Dual-WAN VPN SMB Router, model TEW-829DRU, features three concurrent WiFi bands to maximize device networking speeds: two separate high-performance WiFi 5 networks (5GHz1: 1733Mbps / 5GHz2: 867Mbps), and a 400Mbps Wireless N network. Dual-WAN ports smooth network loading, minimize network downtime and allow employees to access your network from the Internet—all with a single router. 2 x Gigabit WAN ports, 8 x Gigabit LAN ports, 1 x USB 3.0 port, 1 x Console port. Sturdy metal housing with rack mount brackets included.
TRENDnet’s AC2600 MU-MIMO WiFi Router, model TEW-827DRU, is built to perform in your busy connected home. This dual-band router generates two quad-stream WiFi networks—a 1,733Mbps WiFi AC and a concurrent 800Mbps WiFi N network. MU-MIMO technology processes multiple data streams simultaneously, improving real-time wireless performance when multiple devices are connected to the network. 4 External high gain antennas maximize coverage on the wireless router.
PARTNERING WITH TANAZA
Whether you are working with TRENDnet devices or not, you might want to know how to use Tanaza. Well, here are the two basic things you need to know:
Why bandwidth control is key when offering WiFi at your store
Businesses in the retail industry are now using WiFi to enhance their customer experience and gather useful data about their customers. Though WiFi is a much sought-after service among shoppers, the key to providing a good and steady connection in a retail space and keep your customers happy is by controling the bandwidth consumed per user.
Consider that for every customer in a store, you can count on them carrying at least one device with which they connect to the internet.
By offering a free WiFi connection, or a connection in exchange of information or a social action, businesses can offer a greater customer experience while also collecting large amounts of data. Seems like a win-win, right? However, it isn’t enough to simply offer a WiFi connection, the objective is to deploy a stable network at your store that can handle multiple concurrent sessions. Especially for those customers who are always connected, and do not wish to use their own data.
Deploy a stable network at your store
To avoid offering a patchy, unreliable connection, it is best to start by managing your bandwidth. Though it can be difficult to determine the exact amount of bandwidth consumed by the users in your network, you can start by bearing in mind the types of internet applications are likely to use while at your location. These applications can range from low-bandwidth applications, such as instant messaging, to bandwidth hungry-applications, such as video streaming.
The best approach is to find a bandwidth limit per client that enables customers to navigate their preferred applications while at your store, without interfering with the connection of the other concurrent users. Since we know, this is not an easy thing to do and locations that offer free WiFi often have to suffer faulty connections as a result of bandwidth hogs, Tanaza has developed a feature that allows you to evenly allocate bandwidth within your location for all concurrent users.
How to control bandwidth per client with Tanaza
The recently released Bandwidth Control per Clientfeature, enables network administrators to set a per-user WiFi bandwidth limit. This feature is applied to all users at an SSID level and works on all types of SSIDs, whether users authenticate with a password (WEP, WPA2) or through a captive portal. The bandwidth per client set is the same for all users so that all users can benefit from the same WiFi performance. What’s more, in order to decide on the specific limit, you can use the data gathered on the Tanaza Dashboard to learn about your customer’s demographics and interests and thus decide on a bandwidth limit accordingly.
Avoid “bandwidth hogs”
One of the most useful functions of this feature is the “boost” function. With this function, users do not perceive that there is a limit on their bandwidth as it enables them temporarily go over the bandwidth limit. This is useful when your WiFi users stream music, buffer videos or video chat while they are connected to your network.
For example, let’s say a network admin at a retail store configures an SSID for guest WiFi with a bandwidth limit of 4 Mbps. If the WiFi guest performs any online activity that consumes large amounts of bandwidth, i.e. streaming video, the guest can temporarily navigate the internet at a higher speed, consuming more bandwidth than other concurrent users, before the bandwidth limit is reapplied. Thanks to this function, WiFi users can navigate freely without being disconnected if they exceed their bandwidth limit.
What makes this an essential feature for retail businesses that offer WiFi at their store is that it allows you to provide a parallel, ubiquitous connection to all the customers that connect to your network. A pleasant WiFi experience while shopping could also lead to customers wishing to stay longer at your store and wanting to return, customers sharing their personal contact information in order to receive promotional material, customer boosting your social presence due to an increase in the number of Likes and check-ins on your business’ Facebook page.
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