When researcher and executive, Dr. Martin Cooper made the first analogue mobile phone call back in 1973, he was unlikely to have accurately imagined the impact that his invention would have on people’s lives in the decades that followed.  However, less than forty years later, the concept and usage of the mobile phone has been revolutionised to include a host of functionalities that are now fundamentally affecting the way that business is done across the globe.

SMS (Short Messaging Service) Marketing has been one such development, and the benefits thereof- especially in Africa- have been unprecedented. According to start-ups analyst Thomas Oppong, Africa is home to one of the fastest growing mobile markets in the world, with mobile subscriptions hovering around 379 million- a staggering figure when compared to that of only 54 million in 2003. The Guardian has also pointed out that while the growth of fixed landlines has remained static for the past decade, access to mobile phones in Africa has soared five-fold in the past five years. Importantly too, ownership of cell phones has expanded into the middle and lower-income markets, meaning that a much wider market can be reached via SMS than with alternative methods.

These statistics have resulted in African businesses becoming increasingly aware of the power and reach of SMS Marketing. In Africa particularly, text-based mobile marketing is most effective because the majority of handsets in rural Africa run on SMS and voice capability only. Indeed, whilst the ‘digital divide’ in Africa persists in terms of mobile internet access, SMS marketing remains the most accessible means by which to communicate with millions of consumers on the African continent.

An analysis of the costs and benefits of SMS marketing quickly reveals that it is not only one of the most far-reaching advertising methods, but also one of the most cost- and time-effective ones. It’s time-saving because messages are sent almost instantly across networks. Moreover, the use of quick-message templates can drastically reduce the effort involved in promoting your product or service. It’s cash-saving because of the low costs per SMS and because each message is specifically targeted, and wastage is thus not an issue! The interactive, two-way character of SMS marketing also means that response rates are higher than with traditional marketing methods, and that your ROI increases accordingly.

Panacea Mobile has been and continues to be one of the pioneer companies in facilitating the growth of SMS Marketing in Africa and around the world. With the use of our advanced SMS Gateway, we are able to specialise in the delivery of bulk SMS. How does Panacea Mobile stand apart from its competitors? Well, in a nutshell:

• Panacea Mobile’s services are based on the most advanced software in the industry, ensuring you full delivery guarantees;

• You are provided with real-time reporting including relevant statistics on deliveries and failures for your campaign;

• There is no sign-up fee and message pricing works on a competitive pay-as-you go basis;

• Extensive experience in the mobile industry means that Panacea Mobile is able to offer tailored advice regarding which platforms, handsets and technologies you need to focus on.

• Our team is young, energetic and committed to coming up with solutions that meet your specific needs.

Would you, too, like to take advantage of the growth in the African mobile market and enjoy these benefits?  Then click here and we’ll show you how.