Although geolocation is not a new concept, the technology and its applications have only recently gained popularity.
You may or may not be familiar with the notion of IP-based geolocation, but if you’re a person running an eCommerce business, or simply trying to improve your company’s website conversion rate, or make it more impressionable, IP-based geolocation could be the right solution for you.
In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of IP geolocation databases, which will help you on your way to achieving more success and better results.
What Is An IP Geolocation Database?
To understand what IP geolocation databases mean, we need to start with the basics. An IP address, as you might already know, allows you to access a wide range of information.
However, it’s sometimes not enough and a geolocation database to obtain user information is needed.
You can use IP-based geolocation to determine the location of an internet-connected computer or mobile device.
This is where a reliable IP Geolocation Database can assist you in determining the location of your website visitor.
The most basic information included in geolocation databases are the continent, country, state, region, city, and time zone of the electronic device used.
Additionally, the databases of IP addresses include the latitude and longitude of a specific IP address, and at times the relevant organization associated with the specific device, and when you start looking up the IP address, you’re given the coordinates that are the IP address’s so-called origin.
You might not get your visitor’s exact location but you will receive the location of the electronic access point they’re using to visit your website.
Third parties create and maintain these databases, and in this way, the location data for the IP addresses is as reliable as the organization that manages the data.
Some companies obtain their data through data mining whereas others receive more accurate data by polling users.
The data you’re provided with could be collected through either of these methods depending on the provider you decide to choose.
How Accurate Is Geolocation?
The accuracy may differ from one provider to another and based on the connected device’s location.
The country of a website visitor can be determined with around 90% accuracy. At the regional or city level, however, the accuracy drops significantly.
IP-based geolocation services typically perform better in larger cities and more densely populated areas.
Regardless, they are likely to provide enough accuracy to meet a wide range of requirements.
What Are IP Geolocation Databases Used For?
If you wonder what IP geolocation databases are used for, below we’ll mention some of the most popular use case options.
Region-Specific Content Customization
An apparent use case for IP geolocation is to customize content based on where the visitor’s viewing the page from.
The location might help with things such as adjusting the currency on your pricing page or displaying the right option for a user.
Displaying and adjusting the right content for users is crucial and this is an example of where these services can be useful.
Region-Specific Landing Pages
An IP geolocation can help greatly if you wish to provide your visitor, depending on where they’re from, the right updated information about your products and services. Your marketing team might also see the value in providing different landing pages based on the country or region your visitor is from. Using an IP geolocation database ensures that you provide visitors with information about the location that serves them, making their experience on the web more enjoyable.
Serve Targeted Ads
If you’re looking to increase revenues, using location information to serve targeted ads with an IP geolocation service is recommended.
For instance, if your visitors come from a region that an advertiser wants to direct towards a specific service or landing page, you can then lead visitors to that page based on their location and increase the conversion rate for the advertisers.
In turn, they can increase the value of serving ads on your website.
Serve Localized Ads
Localized ads have similarities to targeted ads as it uses the website visitor’s location to decide which ad may serve them. The difference is the type of content they is promoted to the user.
Localized ads are focused on ensuring that the ad you’re serving in the correct language will identify the location properly.
Final Words
If you keep wondering how people from different locations end up on your website, an IP geolocation database is the perfect investment that will give you all the answers.
The data will provide you with information necessary for improving the quality of your visitor’s experience on your website, help you prevent fraud, as well as identify and deliver your customers’ needs.