International SMS and the South African Social Network – Part 1
Our three-part series on the importance of international SMS functionality in South Africa kicks-off with a look at the importance of international SMS to social networks.
As the popularity of online social networking grows, international SMS capability expands the horizons of these networks to a truly global level. The growing success of social networks, such as Facebook and MXit, are testament to the fact that people want to be connected and stay connected, regardless of where they are in the world. International SMS, which refers to the capability of SMS messages to be transmitted across borders through a network of mobile operators and SMS gateway providers, makes global social networking possible by connecting people through their cellphones.
In South Africa and throughout most of the developing world, more people have cellphones than PC-based Internet access, which suggests that the future of social networking is in cellular technology. The beauty of international SMS is that SMS technology is included in all handsets, curtailing the need to download software or even have a WAP-enabled phone. Moreover, SMS technology is simple, understood and used every day by consumers.
Networks that are not looking to ‘go mobile’, and yet offer international connectivity to their users, will soon fall behind. International SMS offers users the ultimate freedom of movement, allowing them to travel freely and still stay in touch, while, at the same time, offering network owners global reach and an unlimited market for their products or services.
And as the social networking sphere heats up and competition between the established players and start-up sites becomes fiercer, international SMS functionality could offer an edge to newcomers. International SMS functionality automatically extends the reach of the network and opens up opportunities to directly generate revenue by way of premium-rated international SMS numbers. It is also the most cost-effective acquisition method for new social network users.
Use SMS invitations to entice potential users to sign-up, or reach a regional or global audience through competitions using international SMS. Utilising international SMS for social networking can also benefit your users, as they can connect to their network, update their information, location, as well as upload images from wherever they are in the world.
Remember that social networking communities are looking for ‘real’ relationships in which they can trust their content provider and suppliers. They have come together because they have shared interests. The job of the social network is to make sure that they can engage both with the network and with other users – international SMS functionality comes into play here. Endear them to your network by offering added-value that they will not find elsewhere and then allow them to share their experiences, thoughts and actions with other users via international SMS.
In the next post, we look at the different ways in which international SMS can be utilised in social networking sites to benefit both the site owner and the user. And in the last post of this series we take a look at mobile networks in Africa and how they are using International SMS to great effect.
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