How To Set Up Pokemon Go Lures In Your Store

Pokémon Go, the popular smartphone-based augmented reality game, has quickly become the most successful mobile game in U.S. history. It’s especially exciting for small business owners because the game has features that can be leveraged to increase in-store traffic, as well as drive brand awareness, and help increase sales.

For the uninitiated, Pokémon Go requires players to use their mobile devices while walking around in the real world in order to “catch” virtual Pokémon characters within the game. The Pokémon characters appear in various locations pre-determined by the game’s developers. For even more in-game action, the developers have also created hotspots called Pokéstops (usually connected to city landmarks or public works of art) to attract players to gather at select locations to power up, catch characters, and yield rewards such as Pokéballs and potions.

If you are a business located next to one of these Pokéstops, there is an opportunity to snag some of this potential traffic to your store. Through the game, you can purchase inexpensive Lure Modules which turn your location into a temporary hot spot that attracts Pokémans for 30-minute periods, which nearby game players will see and will come to try and capture.

Use these Pokéman lures to create an event for your store, offering a special item or discount for players. Promote it with in-store signage and on your social media platforms using the hashtag #PokemanGo, which players search to find lure spots. Pokéman lures can be a great way to get people to mill about in or around your store. They may not all turn into paying customers but it can certainly help put your business on their radar.

Check out this video or follow the step-by-step instructions below to learn how to buy and set up lures:

Step 1: Buying Lure Modules can be done through the Pokéman Go app. Once a lure has been cast, an area in the game will look like it’s covered in pink confetti.

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Step 2: To buy a lure, log into the game and first ensure there is a Pokéstop next to your store. They look like this:

Step 3: If you see a Pokéstop, click the ball at the bottom center:

Step 4: Then, click on the ‘shop’ option:

Step 5: You’ll see your balance at the top of the screen. To add to it, scroll down:

Step 6: At the bottom, select how much credit you want to buy:

Step 7: You will be asked to log into iTunes or Google Play. Set up a credit card there (if you haven’t already):

Step 8: Once you’ve purchased credits, return to the shop screen and purchase your lure modules:

Step 9: Click the ‘x’ at bottom to return to the game. Click on the Pokéstop near you, and click on the white lure symbol to cast your lures:

Step 10: Click on your lure module to cast one. Lures last a ½ hour, when it runs out cast another to keep it active:

lures Pokemon Go

WRITTEN BY

Jen McDonnell

Jen is the Vice President of Content and Social Media at Reshift Media, where she manages a team responsible for the social strategies for several national and international brands. She has a strong content background, having previously worked in online journalism for 10 years. Her articles have been published in the National Post, the Ottawa Citizen, the Vancouver Province, the Calgary Herald, Flare, and more.