Benefits of SMS-enabling your Social Network

The reasons for adding SMS functionality to your social networking application or site are many. Simply put, SMS text messaging is immediate, can be accessed ‘on the go’ from anywhere in the world unlike email, which requires users to be at their computers, and it is the most cost-effective messaging medium available. We have put together some compelling reasons why you need to add Clickatell’s SMS solutions to your social networking site or application, today!

1. Offer social network users freedom of movement:

Social network users can access their network from wherever they are in the world; they are not confined to access from a desktop computer. Location limitations are easily overcome by adding a mobile component to your social network.

There is no application download needed with Clickatell’s APIs and two-way SMS messaging allows easy real time communication between members.

2. Extend your mobile social network's reach through SMS marketing. It is the most logical and cost-effective acquisition method of new social network users. SMS is easy to use and consumers are comfortable with this proven mobile messaging technology.

A practical way to increase your customer base is to send an invitation to join your online community/social network through SMS. Personal invitations can sometimes mean the difference between downloading and deleting for the potential user.

Mobile messaging enables users who do not have access to WAP-enabled phones or installed Java applications to access social networks. Even for those who do have these functions but are not comfortable with them, SMS is the easiest route to offer. Having a mobile social network overcomes the existing handset limitations. This allows your social network access into emerging markets where Internet access is limited.

4. Go global with your mobile social network. Clickatell reliably delivers SMS messages through over 700 operators to over 200 countries, in real time. This means that you can reach users and potential social network users all over the world, regardless of their handset limitations.

5. Increase user participation within your mobile social network. SMS can be used to drive traffic to your site in many different ways. It is an easy and affordable way to increase your 'eyeball' rate; more 'eyeballs' means more advertising revenue! How can you do this?

• Text social network users with info on product offerings or promotions.
• SMS can reach users that are not logged on, prompting them to access the site.
• SMS can be used for authentication purposes and message alerts.
• Send a text 'tickle' or alert to log on if they have been inactive for a certain time period or when they have messages that haven't been read.

6. Increase site revenue through use of premium-rated SMS services when you take your social network mobile. You can be creative in the use of SMS to further enhance the mobile experience.

End-users are able to send billable SMS to premium-rated numbers and receive credits into their accounts in return if you choose to use Premium-rated MO (mobile originated) SMS. They can then use these credits to purchase wallpapers, music, ringtones, and other services via a mobile platform.

Your mobile social network site can charge access or weekly/monthly subscription fees by using Premium-rated MT (mobile terminated) SMS. The end-user receives billable SMS from premium-rated numbers to facilitate this.

Promote off-line conversions with standard-rated SMS by encouraging users to attend an event, visit your store or make a purchase.

7. Offer added-value to offline users with a mobile social network. By allowing access to a social networking community via cellphone as well as PC, you are offering users ultimate freedom of movement. They can be connected and in touch anytime, anywhere in the world. By building a solid mobile strategy around SMS messaging, you will be implementing the easiest and most effective marketing strategy around.

Use SMS to diagnose connectivity issues by sending test text messages to user's phones. Text alerts can also be used to notify users of any changes, requests or developments with your online social network.

Make the user login experience simpler and more secure within your mobile social network by using SMS for authentication passwords when needed and sending the mobile site address via SMS.

Mobile Social Networking with Clickatell means:

• You can allow your social network users access from anywhere in the world, at a time that is convenient to them and regardless of their handset limitations.
• Users can interact with the social network ‘on the go’ by posting and receiving content with their cellphones. They can upload and download video, photo’s and audio files.
• Mobile social network users can ‘check-in’ via SMS to the site and choose to display their physical location or ask for alerts of other users in the vicinity.
• Social networks can regularly communicate with users on a variety of topics from update alerts to posts that the particular user subscribes to, sending notification alerts re new mail waiting or letting users know about changes or security alerts on the social network.
• You can offer increased communication options such as email to SMS or voicemail to SMS with a mobile social network.
• A mobile social network solidifies a loyal customers base and assists in expanding the reach of the social network.
• It is possible to generate additional revenue through added income streams such as premium-rated SMS options.
• You can expand your business to a national or global level with a mobile social network.

You know that you need to add a mobile component to your social network; you know that it needs to be SMS, register now for a risk-free trial run of our SMS Gateway Connection API's. Why do you need to choose Clickatell as your mobile messaging provider?