Many low-cost service providers are unaware that there is an alternative to bank payment.
SMS+ monetization consists of asking a prospect to send an SMS to a short code to make a payment. The pros of this payment method (as opposed to a bank payment) are universality, simplicity, speed and anonymity.
This monetization model is commonly used in industries such as media, entertainment, mobile gaming, online services, etc.

Would you like to know more about this process and the steps to follow? We guide you on this journey, let’s see how it goes:

The content for sale may include exclusive information (such as content related to the daily or regional press), access to games, votes or competitions. This non-exhaustive list is generally specified in the ethical rules specific to each country. In all cases, your content must have real added value for users.

Obtain information on the specificities of each country thanks to allopass.

You must also ensure that you respect the ethical rules defined by the regulator of the country in which you wish to sell your products. Of course, the application of these rules does not exempt you from applying those inherent to the GDPR. Concerning your client, you may be confronted with two cases:

– The customer number is anonymized. Case of France. We are then talking about aliases (and not phone numbers).
– The customer number is accessible in clear text. Case of the rest of the world.
It is important to understand that a prospect who makes a purchase (and therefore becomes a customer) can now be contacted via push SMS. Here too, rules apply (hours of requests, maximum number of requests without return from the consumer, etc.)

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So, once the content to be monetized has been identified, you must determine its selling price, then define the conversion funnel.

Here again, depending on the country, the monetization rules differ. Taxation can be carried out:
– To SMS MO (Mobile Originating)
– To SMS MT (Mobile Terminating)
– Both

Clearly, when the prospect sends an SMS (we then speak of MO SMS), certain countries allow taxation (for example in Belgium), others do not allow it (case of France).

Following receipt of the SMS MO, there are two cases:
– The keyword is identified. An SMS MT is sent (and generally it is charged).
– The keyword is not identified. An error SMS MT is sent (and this does not result in taxation).

Finally (and here too it depends on the country), the price paid is associated either with the short code or with the short code / keyword pair.
For example, in France (excluding short codes intended for transport), pricing is associated with the short code. The main rates available are 1, 2, 3 and 4.5 € per SMS.
Finally (and still depending on the country), it is also possible to subscribe a customer (this payment solution is no longer available in France).
More information on allopass support

“Market qualification” approach:

To qualify this payment solution, the simplest, most economical and fastest solution is to contact a payment solutions aggregator.
The latter will provide you with an SMS+ short code as well as one (or more) keyword(s) which will be assigned to your activity.
Obtaining approval from the professional regulator, opening the short code with mobile operators as well as setting up the software tools is already carried out by the payment solutions aggregator.
So, all you have to do is integrate this new payment solution into your activity and validate the increase in your conversion rate.
More information on allopass support

“Market development” approach: 
This approach is more complex, because instead of using an already existing short code (and by definition shared with other players), you can obtain a short code dedicated to your activity.
That implies :
– To obtain an agreement from the regulator of the target country.
– To carry out the opening and technical connection procedures for your short code with all mobile operators who participate in this type of operation.
– To associate the collection of SMS+ with a specific technical infrastructure (of the SMSc type)
– Finally, to create a monetization service.
Here too, using an aggregator can simplify this setup. Because the latter (like Mobiyo / Allopass) is capable of managing procedures with the regulator, mobile operators but also of connecting your dedicated short code to its technical infrastructure.
More information on allopass support

Promoting your Premium SMS services:
For SMS+ monetization to be successful, you now need to actively promote your services to your target audience.
This can include ad campaigns, SMS banners, calls to action on your website or app, etc.
Make sure your promotions comply with the rules in force.
SMS+ by allopass

Compliance management
Be sure to follow all local SMS+ monetization regulations to avoid any legal issues.
This includes pricing transparency, the ability for users to easily unsubscribe (in countries that offer the subscription), etc.
To save time (and avoid service cuts or fines), get help!

Monitoring and optimization
To conclude, it is essential to monitor the performance of your SMS+ services.To do this, get into a routine by looking at conversion rates, churn rate, revenue generated, etc. Study the interfaces made available to you by service providers. It is important!

Adjust your strategy based on the results obtained to maximize your gains.
Ultimately, it is essential to maintain user trust by providing high-quality content or service and ensuring transparency in billing.
With personalized support and monitoring, you reassure customers and secure your payments.
Management of regulatory compliance, security, promotion, advice, our salespeople support you from the start of your project.