2017 Business Trend in the SMS Marketing and Communication World

With person to person SMS continuing to decline due to the proliferation of messaging applications such as WhatsApp, 2017 will see a further increase in the use of SMS for mobile advertising. According to Portio Research some 1.7 trillion Application to Person (A2P) SMS will be sent globally by 2018. One of the main reasons is that SMS is the only application available on every mobile handset.

According to the research here are some trends for mobile advertising and the use of SMS in 2017.

2 Factor SMS Authentication

We are seeing a growing number of companies using SMS as a security layer for its services. SMS will be increasing used to share notifications, login confirmations, password resets and updates on status or content shares with users.

Internet of Things

With more devices connected to the internet now and the so called ‘Internet of Things’ expanding, many more connected devices will use SMS for real time alerts and information to device owners.

Mobile DMP or Mobile CRM (Customer Relationship Management Software)

A mobile DMP (Data Management Platform) is a centralized platform that ingests, organizes, and segments a marketer’s first- and third-party mobile and desktop audience data assets in one place for audience creation, analytics, and execution. Brands use mobile DMPs to:

• Build sophisticated audience segments across first- and third-party data for precision at scale.
• Create, optimize, and activate cross-platform mobile and web campaigns for consistent messaging across all consumer touch points.
• Leverage deep mobile integrations to send audience data to top execution platforms and power targeted mobile in-app, web, and video advertising.
• Connect audience interactions across mobile and desktop touch points to provide the most cohesive customer experience anywhere, and track response and actions across various screens and channels.
• Generate robust audience analytics to get deep actionable insights into your mobile audience composition and in-market behaviours. 

Email marketing has been used for years to keep in contact and maintain relationships with customers. Lately, with the increasing use of mobile phones over desktop computers, we’ve seen marketers rapidly adapting to mobile consumer habits by transitioning their Email marketing programs, like Constant Contact and Mailchimps to a mobile DMP, specifically with SMS capabilities in order to reach and engage their audiences more directly through text messaging than Emails. 

• Open rates on desktop computers have dropped over 18% in the past couple of years. 
• 89% of consumers will delete a poorly formatted email if viewed on mobile. 27% will unsubscribe.
• According to a report commissioned by SinglePoint, it was found that text message open rates exceed 99%, and even more shocking is that 90% of all text messages are read within 3 minutes of being received on the mobile phone.
• When you compare the open rates of text messages to email marketing open rates for a business such as a restaurant (23% open rates), you’re looking at over 3X the amount of your customers opening your text messages over your emails.

Sectors which will increase use of SMS in 2017

The main sectors which will increasingly use SMS as their mobile advertising platform will be retail, government and travel sectors. As business and organizations move towards paperless offices, SMS will be used to deliver promo codes, marketing messages, billing cycles, payment alerts and transaction alerts.

The number of businesses globally who use SMS for their mobile advertising is growing as it provides a low cost, reliable and secure way to contact customers. Remember that 98% of SMS messages are read. 


No longer does one need to question the need for dedicated mobile marketing budgets or justify the spend on the medium. Existentially speaking, mobile is here to stay.

For more information on mobile marketing and trends, please feel free to contact us.

Setting up the best Text Emergency Response System in Canada

I found a revealing article in today's Calgary Herald that most companies are at-risk with their emergency response plans and they are not fully prepared for natural disasters or emergencies (http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/Gaps+found+corporate+Calgary+emergency+response+summer+floods/9188776/story.html).

The report said Calgary’s June floods and State of Emergency significantly affected large downtown organizations - 92 per cent of respondents had their commute to work disrupted and 86 per cent closed one or more premises. A lot of businesses found that although they had a plan on paper, it may not have covered all the elements they needed to respond to the emergency, continue business, and get back up to full capacity as quickly as possible.

In particular, many businesses found it very difficult to effectively communicate with their employees to let them know about office closures, remote working arrangements, and dates for reopening. The lack of communication systems and limited access to organizational databases hindered the speed and efficiency of several companies’ communication efforts.

Now that businesses are back on their feet, it is important to consider if this happens again, how they can be as operational as possible. This includes thinking of things like cloud-based computing solutions versus servers in the basement, and even just having a centralized place for all staff personal phone numbers. 

The latest cloud technology is available at http://modisclub.com to help you easily manage and reach your emergency contact list from any mobile or web terminal. Users can simply text a specified Keyword (eg. SOS) to a long code (cell number) to opt-in to your list at anytime, and they will instantly receive your custom text push notifications. Text messaging has proven to be the most effective and cheap form of communication in the mobile age, and you can reach a large group all at once by just one click or scheduled automatically. The latter can be especially useful during a stressful period.

For more information on how to quickly implement a mobile emergency response plan using this text messaging system, visit http://www.modisclub.com. More details and affordable pricing are also available at http://www.modisclub.com/emergency_sms.html. You may also contact us for a direct discussion on the best way to set up a free trial today so that you are ready in any emergency situation  from now on.

I use 5 apps 99% time and 95 apps 5% time, Why?

There are billions of apps in the app store occupying terabytes of data but it’s almost impossible for a mobile user to install even 1% of those. A single user need not use so many apps.  And that goes for the apps that are used by users on a daily basis. We are trying to find out that why is it so that only 5% of the apps are used while the remaining are not actively utilized or used in any manner?

On a general account a user does not really install more than 50-60 apps in their Smartphone. Imagine yourself as the user in this case. How many apps do you regularly use? Obviously not more than 3-4 apps everyday!

This poses a serious question to those who want to write success in the app store because only 5% of apps are too small for a developer to get lucky. So what makes us use only some of the applications while most of the other applications remains passively used or not used at all?

Source: GlobalWebIndex

Now if we are looking into the frequency of usage of particular apps, let’s look into the leading apps here. Most of the apps in the free category are games, utility, entertainment, news, messaging or social apps. Hence they all need to be accessed frequently or a number of times a day at least. It clearly suggests that the content that is consumed also holds the key to the frequency of usage of any application.

This is one of the main reasons that out of all these categories games are released with multiple versions after the success of the first while other app categories only receive timely updates with the UI. This is because a game app comes with an expiry date. Once all the levels are done, the app developer needs to develop the next version to make sure that usage frequency to the app is maintained. If an app development company can do that it remains in the 5% of the apps or goes down to the remaining 95%.

Now let us come to some other categories of apps such as productivity, medical, health and fitness etc. These app categories are less general than social or entertainment apps. These apps need purpose of the user to be used. In short it needs efforts to utilize these apps which might not follow the periodic trends of a social, game or entertainment app. It has always been seen that users using running or fitness apps tend to passively use their applications. Hence these apps start off with good usage stats but eventually become dead and pushed down to the remaining 95% of the apps.

Productivity apps follow the same pattern. Think about Evernote or any note taking application. How many times as a user did you use a productivity app. No wonders that these apps vouch towards utility quotient with apps so that they have a dedicated segment of users to use them in periodic intervals, if not frequently. You might not be the only person who uses these apps once in a while.

Revolutionary has to become evolutionary

We have already discussed the stage at which the touch screen devices lie at this moment of time. They could evolve further to gain more access to enterprise usage. If that happens, then a lot of utility based apps can find a potential user base for enterprise app usage. However the 5% figure of frequently used apps won’t change further but a potential segment of enterprise apps will definitely flourish.

No matter if enterprise apps could seriously make it to touch screens and compete MS’s dominance of legacy software or not. What would remain constant is our nature of using software. The summation of Human behaviour of all app users will tend to rollback or (may be) standardize towards a normal distribution. In that case, the apps that fulfills or compliments the behaviour the most basic aspect of the user behaviour will be most frequently used while the other that doesn’t’ won’t make it big.

Are you trying to fit into the 5% of that lot??

For more information on App versus Mobile Web, or if you are considering getting an app designed and developed, please contact MODISclub for more advice. 

Source: OpenXcell

Mobile Apps and Privacy: What You Should Know

Anyone who has a smartphone is likely familiar with mobile applications (aka “mobile apps”).  Mobile apps are software applications designed to run on smartphones, tablet computers and other mobile devices.  The use of mobile apps has increased exponentially over the last few years bringing the number of individuals using mobile apps to almost half of all smartphone users. Given the fast evolution of the mobile industry privacy concerns have been, in some cases, overlooked by app developers and technology companies.

Privacy Concerns Related to Mobile Apps

Last year the Pew Internet Center, a Washington based nonpartisan fact tank, conducted a study entitled “Privacy and Data Management on Mobile Devices“. The study revealed that the majority of smartphone users are concerned with how their personal data is collected, used and disclosed through mobile apps. It was revealed that in 2012 57% of all app users have either uninstalled an app due to concerns with respect to sharing personal information or have refused to install an app altogether for similar reasons. This indicates that protection of personal information and privacy is a very real concern for smartphone users.

 Shift from Mobile Apps to Mobile Site

Privacy concerns are clearly something that cannot be ignored by app developers or app users. Given the fast evolution of the mobile industry app developers must remain vigilant when it comes to protecting user privacy. Users should also be aware of what personal information they are disclosing and providing when downloading and using apps and how this information is being used and distributed. Perhaps this could be a catalyst for the shift in user preference from mobile apps to mobile sites? 

To assist companies and brands with the decisions on mobile app versus mobile site development, MODI$club has listed some pros and cons between the two options - http://www.modisclub.com/smart_mobile_marketing.html. 

Contact MODI$club for more information before investing your money in your next mobile development.

The Benefits of a Mobile Website Conversion

Why Mobile-Friendly Websites Are Critical to Your Strategy

Mobile applications redefined the user experience but represent only a pit stop in the continuing evolution. 

Mobile is what a lot of consumers use to look for businesses right now. In truth, every business already has a mobile website because your website can be seen on mobile phones. It's just that the businesses may not know how bad it looks on a mobile phone.

The Benefits of a Mobile Website Conversion

• Utility: Unlike apps, users can access mobile websites on any type of smart phone or tablet. While an individual may be able to see your traditional site on a mobile device, it may look terrible. For example, the text may be too small for viewing. With a mobile website conversion, you can make sure that your site looks great across all platforms.

• Enhanced Local Optimization: Many smart phones and tablets have the ability to identify a user's location. With a mobile website conversion, individuals in your community seeking the services that you offer may find it simpler to quickly locate and browse your site to find your business' location and contact information.
• Cost to You: A mobile website conversion is generally less expensive than developing an app. It's also less expensive to maintain.
• Cost to the Consumer: Unlike some apps that individuals download onto their mobile devices, it doesn't cost any money for a customer to access your mobile site. Plus, if you opt for a mobile website conversion, your site may use less data to access, which may matter to those who don't have an unlimited cell phone plan.
• Increased sales: If you sell products through your site and offer customers the ability to safely shop with their mobile devices, you may see an increase in sales. You can increase your website's traffic by up to 15 by optimizing your site for mobile devices. The reason: consumers like to shop wherever they are. People don't want to wait until they can reach a computer with an Internet connection to make an online purchase if they don't have to.

Businesses should keep in mind three factors when developing a mobile website: the site needs to be able to detect when mobile users are accessing it; it needs a way to adapt content to a mobile format; and it needs a way to present that mobile-ready content.

Mobile-optimized websites and emerging web apps based on the platform can help businesses avoid the mobile app store glut by sending users right to their websites--which, in turn, can help dig users out of the piles of mobile apps that may be suffocating their overall mobile Internet usage.

How-To convert your website to a Mobile Website

• See for yourself. Get a cell phone that has Internet access and evaluate your current website. How does it look? What do you like about it? More importantly: what do you hate? As you look at how you current site looks miniaturized, consider:

• • The time it takes each page to load
  • Text size
  • How the graphics load and look
  • How well the animations load and look
  • The ability to easily click on hyperlinks
  • The ease of navigation
  • If pop-ups are a problem
  • How simple it is to navigate to different pages on your site
• Remove the clutter. The right mobile website design is vital, and mobile website conversion is all about ease of use and simplicity for your users. While graphics, buttons and different hyperlinks may work well on your current site, they may be frustrating or unnecessary on a mobile site. A mobile site should be intuitive, only need a limited amount clicks to get from Point A to Point B and be über user-friendly. Evaluate the most useful and relevant features of your current site to help you cut the fat and create a personalized experience.
• Test, test, test. Whether you use a free or paid online service for your mobile website conversion, or get professional help, continually test your mobile site to make sure that it loads quickly, is simple to use and performs its necessary functions well.

While mobile sites have limitations, the opportunities that they create beyond the desktop can be invaluable. For more information on this topic or if you would like help converting your website into a mobile optimized site, please contact us or visit http://www.modisclub.com.

Is it time for a mobile site?

Lately, one common question marketers have is "Is it time for a mobile site?". Most regular websites render fine on a smartphone, but may have a lack of conversions for mobile users, as well as a high bounce rate.

Generally, a page that can be enlarged can be read on a mobile device. What you run into for the user is a lack of functionality and interaction with the site. Dropdown or slide out navigation is nearly impossible to click on; if you’re using video or Ajax functionality it can be lost or not noticed on a mobile device.

When is it time to consider taking things one step further, you can look to your analytics data for indicators. The data can then tell you if it’s time to move into the mobile realm. 

If a conversion is set as a goal, you will also be able to see that data. Now you can compare normal Web users to mobile users and the likelihood of a conversion from each. If you don’t have a mobile version of your site, conversions from mobile are likely pretty low or non-existent.

Mobile site should have a simplified navigation. Extra colors are also stripped out to allow for faster loading, as well as an easier to read page. An easy scroll up and down is all that is needed, no need to resize the site at all. For a simple demonstration, visit http://www.modisclub.com on both your desktop and a mobile device.

There are a variety of ways you can compete in mobile. These days, most designers and marketers advocates of a complete website overhaul that makes a moving from a desktop to mobile site seamless. Responsive design can automatically render your current website’s content in a mobile friendly manner.

Sometimes, a complete overhaul just isn’t in the cards. It might be expensive, logistically very difficult, or you might need to take some steps to show management that the investment is worth it. If a full overhaul of your website isn’t in the cards, a mobile friendly site can be built on a separate domain or a subdomain which should cost less than a website. Scripts can be placed that automatically redirect mobile devices into the correct website. Whatever option you choose, good content, calls to action and user experience is vital to success.

If Not Now, When Will It Be Time?

These days, most of the Web is accessed via mobile phones. Email is accessed via a mobile at a rate of 36% and growing according to a Knotice study from earlier this year. Making calls is now the 5^th most popular action to take on a mobile phone. The #1 use for a mobile phone is surfing the Internet.

A study from April 2012 listed China as the top country for mobile Web users. Globally, the percentage of pageviews attributed to mobile nearly doubled from 6.5% in October of 2011 to 12.3% in May of 2012.

Can you afford to not have a mobile solution, likely not. These tips were designed to help you convince the skeptics in your organization to give it a try.

Stay tuned for our blog on the benefits of a mobile website conversion. For information on this article or to have your website assessed for a mobile friendly version, please contact us or visit http://www.modisclub.com.

MODISclub empowering Habitat for Humanity to promote Women Build

MODISclub is proud to sponsor Habitat for Humanity in the efforts to provide housing to families in our communities. On April 19, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta will be hosting a social event and charity fundraiser using MODISclub's turnkey SMS marketing tools to promote ticket sales and the cause of the event, called Heels 'n Hammers.

Details of the Women Build SMS campaign include Text-to-Win contests, SMS Door Prize draw, SMS reminders and alerts, as well as SMS mobile donation. Through these time saving initiatives, the organization is bringing convenience to their audiences making the charity even more accessible than before.

With Habitat for Humanity's forward thinking mentality, we have helped the organization reached their short and long term goals through non premium mobile short code technology. They can reach their audiences where they are now as well as in the future - through cell phones.

For more information on the mobile tools and strategy Habitat for Humanity is using to facilitate and promote their events, please visit http://client.modisclub.com or contact us.

The following is a news release issued by Habitat for Humanity in regards to the sponsored event:

MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SOUTHERN ALBERTA HOSTS HEELS ‘N HAMMERS GALA IN SUPPORT OF WOMEN BUILD 2012
CALGARY, AB, March 28, 2012 – Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta and presenting sponsor Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP hosts Heels ‘n Hammers, an inaugural gala evening in support of Women Build 2012 on Thursday, April 19 at the Palomino Room, BMO Centre (Stampede Park).

This social event and charity fundraiser will be emceed by CTV News Anchor, Tara Nelson and will feature tasty culinary treats, terrific silent and live auction prizes, and a special country music performance. Tickets are $150 and are available online at www.habitatsouthernab.ca.

“Proceeds from the Heels ‘n Hammers Gala will help make homes affordable for families in need,” says Leslie Tamagi, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta, “Many local families are just surviving, living month to month, making it nearly impossible to get ahead. Through homeownership, families will break the cycle of poverty, get a new start and most importantly, hope.”

Women Build is an international movement that helps bring women together for a common purpose: to change the lives of families in their own communities. It promotes the involvement of women in the construction of Habitat homes, allowing participants to learn new skills and trades so they can contribute to providing families safe homes in which to grow. Women Build 2012 will take place from May 7th – 12th in the SE Calgary community of Auburn Bay. The development will comprise of a duplex for two families to call home.

Heels ‘n Hammers sponsors include: Presenting Sponsor, Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP; Second Storey Sponsors: CrossIron Mills and Harmony Park Development; Hope Sponsors: Insignia Energy and MODI$club; and Media Sponsors: CTV and KooL 101.5 FM.

About Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta
Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta is a non-profit organization working for a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Our mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty. Consisting of Chapter affiliates from Brooks, Calgary, Medicine Hat, and Mountain View, Habitat Southern Alberta is a member of Habitat for Humanity Canada, and part of a worldwide network that spans 80 countries, which has built over 500,000 homes. Locally, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta has served more than 130 families, building more than 130 homes. For more information, visit www.habitatsouthernab.ca.

-30-

Media Contact:
Cathy Alfonso Marketing & Communications Manager, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta Phone: (403) 253 – 9331 ext. 224 Email: calfonso@habitatsouthernab.ca www.habitatsouthernab.ca