Sending SMS online is a powerful service that allows you to quickly convey targeted information to a maximum number of people instantly. This is exactly what social networks promise: staying in touch and remaining constantly connected to follow the updates and activities of our family, our tribe, our loved ones, and our professional followers. SMS should therefore be a perfectly suited tool for internet social networks, and indeed, the giants of the industry have realized this, as they all use text messaging in their applications.

Sending SMS to the user to verify their identity

Web-based social networks offer tools for sharing information online, but they also often contain a large amount of confidential data. It is therefore important that this data be properly protected, and two-factor authentication via text message can be a very attractive option. In fact, applications like Viber, Beetalk, and WhatsApp already use this feature, allowing them to send a password to subscribers to verify their identity.

Mobile SMS compatibility to stay connected

Most internet users own a phone; in fact, nearly 78% of Facebook users access the social network from a mobile device. However, although networks are becoming increasingly widespread, there are still many areas where 3G is unavailable. The ability to post a message or update a status via SMS can be a real advantage for standing out on the web. This type of tool is already offered by Facebook and Twitter.

For the same reasons, a network can also offer the option to follow some of its news via text message. This feature can be particularly useful for people who are often on the move and do not always have access to a mobile internet connection. MySpace offers this type of functionality to follow posts from certain profiles.

An alert option with online SMS sending

Sending an SMS to a number can also be offered as an alert option to more closely follow a discussion thread, a profile, or a news feed. The user configures their settings and will receive alerts via text message in real time.

Promotional messages to ensure the success of an event

The SMS can be enhanced with a hyperlink that directs the user to a webpage, for example, to encourage interaction. This type of feature can be particularly effective for promoting an event or a targeted campaign, as it allows you to reach a large number of contacts and attract new subscribers with a high response rate.

A social network that runs on SMS

Messages and MMS offer interesting multimedia features on mobile numbers, which even makes it possible to imagine a social network that operates entirely or partially via text messaging. This type of network or feature can be particularly interesting in France, or in regions and countries that do not have sufficient 3G coverage. The Smile social network in Pakistan operates solely via SMS using a keyword system.

Sending surprise gifts via SMS

Text messages have the advantage of boasting a much higher open rate than emails. Text messages achieve a 98% rate, which can be very beneficial for marketing campaigns. One could imagine a simple system of gifts or rewards via text, which customers can send to each other. There are already several mobile applications that offer similar features. For example, TinyBox is an application that allows users to send personalized photo gifts via mobile message.

An online SMS solution for monetization

Monetizing sites that offer their services without commitment, like most social networks, remains a major challenge. The lack of a monetization solution is, in fact, responsible for most early closures. Yet, text messages can provide a monetization solution that helps ensure a site's longevity. There are two solutions for monetizing a site using mobile text messages.

• The first consists of having users fund the sending of messages. The principle involves offering exclusive services or additional options beyond the standard available features. Thus, to benefit from these premium options, each customer would pay a small subscription fee.
• If you offer an innovative product that provides real added value using tele-messaging, it is possible to find sponsors who will subsidize the SMS sending service which will be sent free of charge to all subscribers. Each customer will thus benefit from an additional option without having to pay for a subscription. This sponsorship will generate revenue to cover the initial development phases of the site or social network.

As we have just seen, SMS offers attractive marketing advantages that should not be overlooked, especially during the creation and launch phases. Come and discover the plans best suited to your social network now.