As organizations look for more effective and cost efficient ways to reach customers during this years holiday season, S. African firm Clickatell says that many of its customers are taking advantage of mobile marketing for immediate reach, reduced campaign costs, higher customer satisfaction and increased traffic, ultimately resulting in higher profits.
Clickatell has published its 2009 Festive Mobile Marketing Handbook to help large and small businesses conceptualize, implement and monitor effective mobile sales, mobile marketing, and CRM campaigns this festive shopping season, using the power of SMS.
The mobile phone adds an incredible marketing tool to the mix, says Clickatell CEO, Pieter de Villiers. Its highly cost effective for businesses to implement, and customers want to receive information and special deals before, during and after they shop, conveniently to their mobile.
Clickatell notes that with its SMS Gateway, retailers can get started in less than a day and begin sending SMS messages to reach consumers instantly. The company adds that its solutions are already being effectively used by a broad range of businesses for mobile marketing campaigns, to send timely promotions, respond to orders, alert customers on order and shipment status, schedule timely collections of goods, and to monitor the progress of the supply chain, including manufacturing and shipping.
One of these is Banta Furniture, which produces home furnishings, and relies on Clickatell to alert customers when their custom-made furniture is ready for pick up. It also uses mobile to ensure efficiencies in the manufacturing production cycle. Mama Mikes, a US-based online gift portal, allows East Africans living abroad to buy gifts and vouchers for their families back home. The website sends Clickatell SMS alerts to notify recipients in Kenya and Uganda when their gifts or vouchers have arrived.
With more than 50 bricks and mortarshoe stores across the UK and Ireland, Schuh works with Clickatell to reach customers via SMS. Schuhs Systems Manager Blair Milligan says:
Through SMS, weve not only increased our reach, but weve saved money doing it. We use Clickatell to market and communicate directly to customers, including sending information on special offers, sales and promotions. We also send text alerts to customers when orders have been received, letting them know they can pick up their new shoes. Weve seen great response from our customers; they are very happy with the mobile service.