Wireless access is popping up everywhere, and while many small business owners feel obliged to offer such a service, very few manage to convert this expense into something useful to help generate sales and new customers.
That is until iWiFi came along. This new service, developed by US e-commerce expert and current Stellenbosch resident Daniel Haugh, is set to change all that, converting Internet access via localised WiFi networks into real, useful customer data and highly targeted marketing capabilities.
Haugh’s iWiFi system is installed in businesses such as retail outlets, coffee shops, salons, restaurants and franchise locations within an hour. Customers of these businesses access the Internet, but with one significant difference – they access this free WiFi by logging in through their social media accounts and “liking” the business’s Facebook page. The technology is powerful yet the functionality is very simple.
“Utilising this part of a customer’s social network access helps our clients to understand their customers. With iWiFi our clients can immediately start targeting their marketing, generate new sales and gain instant feedback and demographics information,” says Haugh. “This helps them to fine-tune their offerings as well as grow their social media presence and customer database.”
Haugh says while free WiFi is the norm these days, up to now it has not been used to harness the power of social media, and through that, to grow businesses.
One hundred percent secure and unobtrusive to a business’s Internet needs, iWiFi enables clients to set the speed, frequency and duration of hotspot access. Haugh comments: “Interactive Online has a simple evaluation tool that
can help new clients determine how they can benefit from iWiFi and how it can be installed in their business.” Watch this short video.
Through iWiFi customers will help to market a business or establishment when they log on with their social media accounts. When they do so, a message is sent to all their friends that they are enjoying a shopping or coffee experience for example and taking advantage of free WiFi.
“This two-way communication with a business’s customers, while also getting the key message through to their friends and family, is today’s digital version of word-of-mouth marketing,” he says. “Our system allows clients to draw monthly reports while ensuring that their message reaches the most receptive and targeted group, thereby helping them to refine their business offering.”
Haugh continues: “We help our clients to run better promotions, successfully deliver important marketing messages and strengthen their branding efforts. “Some 87% of consumers make a purchasing decision based upon a recommendation of a friend. Considering that the average Facebook user has nearly 200 friends, the potential for our clients’ extended reach through iWiFi™, is staggering to say the least.”
“To maximise the potential we coordinate all digital channels with a comprehensive solution to win the Internet. Besides the various social media giants like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram, we understand the importance of ensuring that all online elements work together.
“We provide e-commerce solutions for clients that integrate social media, including developing Facebook and mobile apps, loyalty programmes and newsletter and blogging services that best integrate with their SEO, Google Analytics and targeted Ad Word campaigns.
