The platform supports the transmission of five different message types, which can all be sent from one Web interface.
Ambistar
Ventures announced the official launch of messaging Website Globatext.com, a
Web-based service that is designed to help SMBs create and self-manage their
own messaging campaigns. For the past six months, the Website had operated in a
private invitation-only beta version. Starting this week, the site is
operational and available to all businesses and organizations that wish to
access the site, with monthly plans starting at $25.
The
platform supports the transmission of five different message types, which can
all be sent from one Web interface. Using the message control panel, business
owners and managers can chose a variety of ways to get their message out to
customers or prospects, including SMS text messaging, MMS picture messaging,
instant messaging and email, as well as social networking posts.
Globatext
representatives said that their primary target clients will be businesses such
as restaurants, retail stores, real estate offices, nightclubs/bars and
service-oriented companies. Globatext will also be focusing on such
organizations as universities and government agencies, as well as political,
social and religious groups, according to a company release.
"Many
business owners who have not taken part in mobile marketing campaigns in the
past haven't done so because they lack experience with this emerging medium,"
said Sean Wade, co-founder of Ambistar Ventures. "Many non-tech savvy business
owners simply don't know how to take the first steps towards designing their
own campaign. Globatext solves this problem through technology and
consultancy."
Wade
explained that Globatext clients will each be assigned a dedicated, local
account representative who will not only help small business owners navigate
the Globatext platform, but will also play a role in helping businesses build
their customer lists and create effective ongoing mobile marketing campaigns.
According
to recent estimates from IT analytics firm ABI Research, taken together, mobile
marketing and advertising will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of
40 percent over the next five years. ABI concluded that compared to campaigns
in more traditional media, mobile marketing can be relatively inexpensive.
Moreover, ads can be highly targeted and naturally paired with the rich mobile
content that a growing number of consumers are accessing through mobile
devices.
"Globatext
has opened up the vast, uncharted territory of SMB mobile marketing by
providing midmarket businesses with a platform to manage their own mobile
messaging campaigns," said Timothy Ngo, founder of Ambistar Ventures.
"Thanks to Globatext's easy-to-use Web-based platform, SMBs can now set up
and launch their own mobile messaging program within minutes."
Other
features of the Globatext Platform include the ability to create and send QR
codes, mobile voting, appointment reminders, Mcards and voice broadcasts. At
the official launch, Ngo went on to say, "With increasing trends in mobile
marketing, the demand for a low-cost, easy-to-use mass messaging solution for
SMBs is clearly on the rise. With the launch of Globatext, we have directly
responded to this tremendous market demand."
Nathan Eddy is Associate Editor, Midmarket, at eWEEK.com. Before joining eWEEK.com, Nate was a writer with ChannelWeb and he served as an editor at FierceMarkets. He is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.