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.

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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

PRESS RELEASE: New ways Canadian political parties are using to reach new demographic of supporters

  

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Through MODI$club Alberta’s Political Party launches mobile SMS campaigns to reach and engage new demographic of supporters

CALGARY, AB, March 2012 – MODI$club has been providing mobile marketing and communication solutions for retails, institutions and non-profit groups for the past three years in Canada. Now, even Alberta’s political candidates have taken notice of the medium, wanting a piece of that mobile market share to help them retain old supporters and gain new voters.

Because MODI$club is a flexible, easy to use, “freemium” mass texting tool, eighty seven PC Alberta Party candidates have chosen the company to provide them with their own SMS keyword (eg. VOTE) where voters can simply text in specific candidate names to receive exclusive invites, policy info, updates and time sensitive alerts on-the-go.

“We are excited to try out the mobile medium through MODI$club because it is hands down the most versatile and cost effective system from what we have seen,” says Christina Rontynen, campaign manager for the PC Alberta party. We believe that SMS is the most convenient and effective way now to help the party directly reach and engage voters so that they can make informed decisions.”

In September 2010, Canadians sent an average of 163 million text messages per day and the mobile gold rush is not even close to peaking. Hence, marketers are now quickly turning to this must-have medium as a complementary communication and promotional tool.

The Canadian political landscape will see more and more mobile initiatives in coming elections, especially after Barack Obama’s presidential campaign made either history or political spectacle in August 2008 when it attempted to announce Joe Biden as the vice presidential candidate over text message. Nielsen estimates that the Biden text was received by 2.9 million mobile phone users in the US, over the course of that weekend of August, making it one of the biggest, broadest mobile marketing stunts to date.

In the past two years, the medium has caught on in north america and become a mainstream marketing and communication vehicle, including marketing TV shows, cars, soda, deodorant and all types of goods and social services. Businesses all over the world have long been using text campaigns not just for buzz but also build loyal supporters by keeping them engaged in a timely and effective manner.

In Canada, MODI$club sees the immense potential of this medium being used more effectively. The company has since gone and made the medium more accessible, usable and affordable. Businesses and organization can now use one platform to set up various targeted SMS campaigns that work on all carriers’ network and on all phone types. The turnkey system can also be connected to most countries globally, making it one of the most powerful marketing and communication tools for our economy and politics.
 
ABOUT MODI$club
MODI$club is a product of a full service marketing, design and technology company that started in 2000 called NexusV. The company understands how giving brands a strong multi-channel presence is today’s key to customer engagement and the gateway to long-term growth.

The company approaches each project with the same mission: to discover creative, fresh ideas that break free from category conventions. NexusV wants to help companies be unique and move their audiences.

Other services provided include:
Brand strategy, logo and stationery design, print publications and other graphic design services;
Website design and development, content management system (CMS), email management system, timesheet management system, custom web application development, web hosting and more;
Traditional (print and radio) and Internet marketing (SEO).

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CONTACT
Interviews and more information, please contact Kean Tan at 403.209.5988 in Calgary or 778.996.0888 in Vancouver at anytime. Questions can also be emailed to keantan@nexusv.com. For direct access to MODI$club, visit http://client.modisclub.com.

5 Proven Ways to Generate Revenue from Facebook & SMS

The first question people ask is, “Can Facebook really generate money?”.  

If you’ve read any of the Facebook marketing case studies over the last year, you’ve seen examples of small business profits and boosts in ecommerce sales via Facebook sharing. If your business is ready to move toward Facebook profits, your next question should be: “What distinguishes profitable and unprofitable Facebook marketing campaigns?”

First, consider your revenue model. What steps will get your users to buy? How do you attract their attention in the first place? What does the conversion funnel look like? And how does Facebook fit with the marketing channels that already work for you, like email, text messages and affiliate revenue?

There are a number of strategies companies use to do Facebook business effectively. Let’s look at five of them.

1. Advertising Based E-Commerce 
2. Fan Based E-Commerce
3. Facebook Ads and Email
4. Facebook Ads and Text Messaging
5. Generating Traffic to Your Ad-Supported Site

Which revenue model should you choose? Click on MODI$club's Facebook page and the "Like" button on the page to access full details of each of the above points. This is also to demonstrate how one can incorporate Facebook with other medium, such as Blog, to increase traffic to your Facebook.

Also, make sure you understand the amount of time and creativity required for fan marketing before you start. Companies that jump into fan marketing without that understanding and a good plan usually post in a way that doesn’t lead to much interaction. Then, EdgeRank reduces the reach and value of your Facebook page. Overall, the ROI of your efforts becomes low or negative. But when you get the right fans from effective channels, such as SMS campaigns (text messaging), and engage them with interesting content, profits often follow.  

 
For more information and help on your marketing and communication strategies outline above, please contact us at nexusV.com or MODISclub.com.

Have you already switched to a new email marketing strategy?

Is your current marketing strategy more dynamic, more targeted, more mobile? If you haven’t, make room in your 2012 marketing plan for SMS marketing campaigns.


With the convenience of SMS keywords and MODI$club's FREE mass SMS messaging platform, marketers can now boost their digital initiatives by incorporating mobile. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned professional, get started with your first SMS marketing campaign before your competitors do. It is time to see mobile as a marketing must-have.


Added value

SMS campaigns differ from email newsletters whose aim is usually to inform subscribers about the latest news. For a more effective call-to-action, the convenience and briefness of SMS will allow you to reach your target. SMS can be used to feature special offers, reminders or alerts on the go – a good way to lengthen your brand exposure.

Add some catchy benefit in the message, like:

• discount code
• gift card code
• announcement of competition
• password for something
• exclusive information

140 characters

Write as short and precisely as possible. Your aim is to grab attention and clearly indicate what the receiver can get from you, where to go, or what to do. It’s your call to action!

Include links

With the expansion of smartphones, you can include web or mobile site links in SMS. Guide them to mobile-friendly landing pages with additional information that is visually and audio rich.

For more information and ideas on mobile SMS marketing, please contact us for free advice.