Plenty to like about designer’s smart tag
NIC Zymaras ran his business idea past his harshest critic, his teenage son, before unveiling his new start-up in Cairns.
The graphic designer has come up with an easy way for businesses to drive traffic on their social media sites via a simple adhesive tag.
Swipe-n-Like supplies preprogrammed social media smart tags to small businesses that, when placed on a counter, allows patrons to like and engage with the businesses’ Facebook page with the swipe of a phone.
Like PayWave, near-field communication (NFC) technology interacts directly with the customer’s phone and takes them to the business’ Facebook page where they can like the page, check-in or comment.
NFC is a set of communication protocols which enable two electronic devices to share data when they are brought within 4cm of each other.
Already, Pro Dive Cairns, Ocean Spirit, Cairns Catholic Education, NQ Plastics, Cairns Chiropractor and Turner Home Appliances have installed the device.
“I was at a pizza store one night and the guy said as I was leaving, ‘don’t forget to like us on Facebook’. I thought to myself that won’t happen – it’s not like it’s going to be on my priority list when I get home with my pizza.
“But as I was driving home I thought how much better it’d be for businesses if you could get customers to like it there and then.
“I was familiar with NFC technology, and by the time I got to my house I came up with the idea. The more I thought about it the more viable it was. I ran it past my teenage son, and then started pursuing it.”
Mr Zymaras said the technology was new so it was a struggle trying to convince some people of its benefits.
As well, while Android and Windows phones have NFC capabilities installed as default, those with Apple iPhones earlier than version 7 will have to download an app to access the service.
“People either get it and see the potential of it or they shrug it off, because they don’t understand the value of the speed of the process, or they might not be active on Facebook.
“There are so many applications you can use it for.
“With graphic design I do a lot different media – brochures, flyers, posters, billboards. What we’ve done for one client is created some flyers which have the NFC tag on there so they are interactive flyers. It is the first time I know of someone who has done that.”
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