“Every campaign I create is segmented with my target audiences in mind, every message I send is personalized to make users feel special, and I even automate my omnichannel sequences so I never miss a meaningful moment—why am I not seeing a lift in my conversion rates?”

It’s the cardinal sin of brands that still rely on static messaging: Forgetting that mobile users are, in fact, mobile users. Frankly, it doesn’t matter how compelling your new promotional offer is or how charming your copywriter thinks they are. Without giving your users the gift of convenience, you’re going to be fighting an uphill battle with every single send.

But the brands that win aren’t just aware of their users' locations—they use that real-time context to deliver hyper-relevant, location-based notifications that prompt engagement at the moment users are naturally primed to need you.

Below, we’re highlighting how three real mobile brands capitalize on the strategy that caffein-addicted real estate agents have been preaching for decades: Location, location, location.

Sending your message straight to the “top of mind”

When users receive information that aligns with their immediate context—such as their current location—they perceive it as more valuable and are more likely to engage. This relevance fosters a sense of personalization, making them feel understood and valued by the brand.

Moreover, location-based notifications tap into a little bit of marketing psychology with the concept of the "recency effect," where individuals are more influenced by the most recent information they receive. By delivering timely messages based on a user's location, you can capitalize on this effect, ensuring their communications are top-of-mind and more likely to prompt action.

Palisades Tahoe

Palisades Tahoe is one of the largest ski resorts in the US (and the host of the first-ever televised Winter Olympics in 1960), so a 5-star experience is more of an expectation than a luxury for its guests. Because most of their revenue is generated in one single season, Palisades Tahoe needed a hyper-relevant and efficient way to keep their visitors up to date in an environment constantly subject to change with every passing cloud.

Leveraging OneSignal’s push notifications gave them the perfect opportunity to counter the unpredictability of mountain conditions with geo-targeted push notifications designed to keep users in the know with:

  • Terrain updates
  • Chair lift statuses
  • Crowd management
  • Alerts for congested roads (where they will offer their visitors special discounts on passes so that they can wait out the traffic)

By giving guests the most up-to-date information at their fingertips, Palisades Tahoe allows them to adjust their plans accordingly before something completely out of their control sours an experience for their visitors. Not only have push notifications become the primary engagement channel for Palisades’ marketing team, but this strategy saw their app engagement exceed that of its main website.

Why it works

Skiing is a high-stakes experience where real-time conditions can make or break a guest’s trip. Palisades Tahoe understands that their visitors expect a well-informed experience, not unexpected roadblocks—literally and figuratively. By delivering hyper-relevant, location-based updates on terrain conditions, lift statuses, and traffic congestion, the resort reduces uncertainty and enhances customer satisfaction.

Instead of frustration from delays or overcrowding, skiers receive proactive guidance and even exclusive discounts, turning potential pain points into value-driven engagement. The result? More informed, happier visitors and the transformation of their app from “nice-to-have” to “can’t-live-without” on the slopes.

Joe Coffee

Joe is a mobile app that enables coffee shops to seamlessly accept mobile orders and payments without any extra fees. Previously to OneSignal, Joe Coffee struggled with the poor usability and complexity that came with services like Google’s Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) service and Amazon’s Simple Notification Service (SNS). As CTO and Co-Founder, Lenny Urbanowski, explains:

“[OneSignal] has made it super easy. It’s like we can send push notifications whenever we need without really worrying about it,” Urbanowski explained, “Our CEO is able to manage everything in OneSignal without any assistance from me or anybody else, which is really great because he doesn’t have a hugely technical background.”

This includes leveraging location-based notifications to drive local engagement and boost sales. By sending geo-targeted deals to users near their coffee shop locations, they entice potential customers with timely offers. For example, a user walking near a Joe Coffee outlet might receive a notification about a limited-time discount, encouraging them to make a purchase.


Read the full Joe Coffee case study to see how the innovative mobile app saw +30% in revenue within the first 30 days of implementing OneSignal.

Why it works

Coffee purchases are often impulsive, driven by habit and convenience. By targeting users who are already in the vicinity, Joe Coffee increases the likelihood of conversion. The immediacy of the offer, combined with the user's proximity, creates a sense of urgency, prompting quick action. Combined with OneSignal’s ease of use, this strategy allows Joe’s team to drive engagement effortlessly (without requiring technical expertise) making their messaging as efficient as it is effective.

For mobile-first businesses looking to increase either in-person foot traffic or mobile conversions, geo-targeted promotions are an easy win. Identify key moments when users are most likely to act—whether it’s during peak hours, near a store location, or based on past behaviors—and send timely, location-based incentives to drive sales and build customer loyalty.

Shake Shack

While its signature burgers, fries, and shakes have a loyal following worldwide, Shake Shack also creates exclusive, regionally inspired menu items that highlight local flavors and culinary partnerships. But how do you make sure the right customers, locals and travelers alike, know about these special offerings?

That’s where geolocation targeting comes in. Shake Shack used OneSignal’s location-based messaging to promote limited-time items and events to the right audience at the right time. Instead of sending broad, nationwide campaigns, Shake Shack ensures that only customers within a specific radius receive relevant offers. A tourist visiting Chicago might get a push notification about a one-day-only sandwich from a famous local chef, while someone near a San Francisco Shack might see an in-app message promoting the Golden State Double Burger.

This precise targeting helps Shake Shack do more than just push promotions—it enhances the customer experience. Visitors who may not be familiar with local specialties get introduced to something unique, while loyal locals feel like they’re in on something special. Even better, the real-time segmentation allows Shake Shack to test new menu items in select markets before a wider rollout, ensuring the best possible product-market fit.

Why it works

Geotargetting strengthens Shake Shack’s connection with customers by making every interaction feel local, timely, and exclusive. Instead of relying on static email lists with outdated zip codes, Shake Shack uses real-time geofencing to reach users based on their actual location. This ensures that both locals and travelers get relevant promotions, increasing the likelihood of in-store visits and purchases. By turning passive app users into engaged, location-aware customers, Shake Shack boosts conversion rates and strengthens brand loyalty—one regionally inspired burger at a time.

Reach users where they are, when it matters most

Whether you’re guiding visitors through changing conditions, driving foot traffic with timely offers, or personalizing promotions by region, OneSignal makes it easy to automate and scale geo-targeted messaging. With powerful segmentation, real-time triggers, and an intuitive interface, OneSignal gives mobile brands the tools they need to deliver the right message at the perfect moment—without all the complexity that typically comes with marketer-unfriendly engagement solutions.

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