Can you use USSD for Business?

As a business owner, you always look for new ways to reach and engage with your customers. USSD extensions are one technology that has gained popularity. Unstructured supplemental service data (USSD) is a protocol mobile network operators use to send and receive text messages.

USSD extensions, on the other hand, allow businesses to use USSD to offer interactive services and engage with their customers. This article will explain USSD extensions, how they work, and what they can do for your business. 

What is Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)?

Have you ever heard of USSD extensions and wondered what they are and how they can help your business? Buckle up, because you’re about to discover the secret that could change your business.

USSD, which stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, is a communication protocol that enables mobile phones to communicate with a service provider’s computer system. This technology is widely used in emerging markets with low smartphone penetration, where most people use basic feature phones.

USSD extensions and how they can benefit your business.

USSD extensions are shortcodes that provide businesses with a fast, convenient, and cost-effective way to reach their customers. These extensions are typically five or six digits long and are used to send and receive text messages between a mobile phone and a service provider.

Benefits of USSD extensions

1. One of the most significant benefits of USSD extensions is that they provide a faster and more efficient way for businesses to reach their client base than some communication channels, such as email or SMS. USSD extensions allow businesses to send messages to their customers instantly, which means that companies can reach their customers in real time, providing them with the information they need when they need it.
2. USSD extensions provide a highly targeted way for businesses to reach customers. With USSD extensions, companies can send messages to a specific group of customers based on their location, demographics, or behaviour. This makes it easier for businesses to engage with their customers and provide them with relevant information.
3. USSD extensions also offer businesses a cost-effective way to reach customers. Unlike other communication channels, which can be expensive, USSD extensions are affordable, and companies only pay for the messages they send. This makes it a cost-effective way for businesses, even tiny ones, to reach customers.

Maximizing business benefits with USSD extensions

Now that you know what USSD extensions are and how they can benefit your business, let’s discuss what they can do.

1. Customer engagement:

Employing USSD extensions offers a versatile and interactive approach to cultivating real-time customer engagement. These extensions are invaluable tools for businesses seeking to establish proactive communication channels with their clientele. By leveraging USSD technology, companies can send timely reminders, deliver personalized promotions, and disseminate relevant information directly to customers’ mobile devices.

This proactive engagement enables businesses to stay connected with their audience, promptly providing valuable updates and offers. Moreover, USSD extensions facilitate seamless two-way communication, allowing customers to respond to prompts or queries instantly. This fosters meaningful interactions and strengthens the bond between businesses and their clientele.

2. Customer feedback:

USSD extensions can also be used to gather customer feedback. The input can be used to survey customers and collect their opinions on your products or services. In addition to facilitating real-time engagement, USSD extensions are invaluable tools for soliciting customer feedback. By leveraging USSD technology, businesses can seamlessly collect input from their clientele, enabling them to conduct surveys and gather opinions on various aspects of their products or services.

3. Lead generation:

USSD extensions offer a powerful means of lead generation for businesses seeking to expand their customer base. By leveraging USSD technology, companies can deploy targeted promotional messages to their customer base, enticing them to take specific actions that contribute to lead-generation efforts. Whether offering exclusive deals, inviting customers to participate in contests or surveys, or providing referral incentives, USSD extensions enable businesses to prompt immediate engagement and interaction from their audience.

This proactive approach generates leads and fosters more profound connections with potential customers, laying the groundwork for future conversions and business growth. Moreover, the interactive nature of USSD extensions allows for seamless lead capture and qualification, enabling businesses to identify and prioritize prospects based on their responses and engagement levels. Overall, USSD extensions are a versatile and effective tool for driving lead-generation initiatives and expanding the reach and impact of businesses in the market.

4. Customer support:

Employing USSD extensions for customer support presents a proactive and accessible avenue for addressing customer inquiries and providing assistance. Whether it’s guiding customers through product features, troubleshooting technical issues, or addressing common queries, USSD extensions enable businesses to deliver comprehensive support directly to customers’ mobile devices.

This real-time assistance fosters customer satisfaction and loyalty by empowering customers to resolve issues quickly and conveniently. Moreover, the interactive nature of USSD extensions allows for seamless communication between businesses and customers, facilitating efficient problem-solving and enhancing the overall support experience.

5. Payment collection:

Incorporating USSD extensions for payment collection offers businesses a convenient and efficient method for streamlining their payment processes and facilitating transactions with their customers. By leveraging USSD technology, companies can send payment reminders and prompts directly to customers’ mobile phones, prompting them to initiate payment transactions conveniently and securely. Additionally, USSD extensions enable businesses to offer seamless payment options, allowing customers to complete transactions directly from their mobile devices without additional software or payment platforms.

This streamlined approach not only enhances the convenience and accessibility of payment collection but also reduces the likelihood of delays or missed payments. Moreover, the interactive nature of USSD extensions allows for real-time communication and feedback, enabling businesses to address any payment-related inquiries or issues promptly and efficiently. Overall, USSD extensions are a valuable tool for companies looking to optimize payment collection processes and provide customers with a frictionless payment experience.

 Conclusion

Arkesel’s USSD Extensions are a powerful tool that helps businesses reach their customers in real time, engage with them, and provide them with relevant information. USSD is cost-effective, highly targeted, and can be used for various purposes, including customer engagement, lead generation, customer support, and payment collection. If you’re looking for a way to take your business to the next level, USSD extensions are the secret weapon you need.