Harnessing mobile web trends in Africa for marketing Opera's State of the Mobile Web Report, published yesterday outlined triple digit growth rates (a common occurrence in the region according to Opera Mini) in mobile web use in Africa.
Top on the most popular sites visited included Google, YouTube and Facebook.
Kenya topped the list at number three behind South Africa and Nigeria.
Tanzania also made an appearance in the top 10 landing at number 8.
For the discerning East African marketer, the mobile phone is increasingly looking like a viable way to reach consumers.
However, what options are available? As I wrote here, you should know that Facebook and Google ads do not show on mobile phones in East Africa, however, who knows as time goes by perhaps allowances will be made for this.
A great option to counter this on Facebook is to own a page or group as a brand, your updates will be visible then on your fans pages.
allowing you to keep in touch with them.
Their friends will also be able to see that your fan has 'liked' you and may also choose to do so themselves.
You also need to make your site 'mobile friendly' or have a.
mobi domain registered if this market largely appeals to you, run quick though.
mobi domains are fast disappearing, especially in Africa! There are various mobile options that involve ticketing such as Twicketer as well, which enables users to purchase tickets through a url on your brand Facebook page or website, that provides them with a unique code after/mobi ticket that can be verified at the venue.
There are also mobile directories eg.
Mocality also allows you to send bulk sms's as well as a free mobile website and business card once you register with them.
Unfortunately mobile vouchers are yet to be enabled in East Africa but they would offer a great paperless and environmentally friendly alternative to the popular printed voucher.
So there you go a couple of more tips at enhancing your mobile marketing and CRM beyond the mass sms!