20 Social Media businesses to start in Nigeria

The social media is increasingly gaining a lot of steam as an influential means of spreading the word about almost any business in Nigeria. Businesses are now eploring the viral video boom on platforms like Facebook. Various infographics that are readily available have shown the increasing influence of social media and its potential on how clients perceive product and services. The most import social media channels that are deployed by Nigerian businesses have been Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and niche blogs.

Jumia is an example of an online retailer that deploys social media in its marketing campaign.
Furthermore, there are  enormous amount of social media businesses that can be kick started in Nigeria, due to their ability to spread the word about what your business does.

See how these 20 Social Media businesses  can be started in Nigeria.
1. Online Retail Business: Online retail business can be started in Nigeria using the tools available on Facebook. Selling of consumer products via the use of a Facebook page affords the business the benefit of customization and possibly the use of Facebook landing page to create an online store.

2. E-currency Business: E-currency merchants can also deploy a Facebook fan page for the sole aim of advertising their product and also marketing of such. E-currency units like Bitcoins, can be advertised by a merchant and subsequent transactions redirected to the merchant website.

3. Entertainment Business: Budding music artist can set up Youtube channels to garner popularity and sell themselves to willing record labels. The Nigerian music scene is constantly growing and artist can start their career on Youtube and Facebook alike.

4. Small Media Firms: It is possible to start an online media company using social media tools like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. Breaking news media house like Sahara Reporters did well by starting some part of their media campaign on Facebook and Youtube.

5. Auto Dealing: Nigeria has a good market for automotive, be it new or used cars. There are opportunities in the auto dealership niche and the social media can be a fertile ground for such businesses.

6. Social media expert: A lot of companies in Nigeria are in dire need of experts who can manage their Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Pinterest handles. This is a business that can flourish in Nigeria.

7. Personal chef: It is possible to start a chef a business in Nigeria by just owning a Facebook, Twitter, Youtube page. You can get along by uploading your recipes on Facebook and also upload videos of how recipes are prepared.

8. Event coordinator: Events such as naming ceremonies, parties and marriages are very familiar sights in Nigeria. Seemingly, people do not want to tackle the hassles associated with them, hence it is possible to start an event coordinator business in Nigeria and be sure that it’ll thrive.

9. Event DJ: One can start out as an event DJ in Nigeria using social media tools like Youtube and Facebook.

10. Exercise instructor: It is increasingly possible to hold exercise sessions with students in Nigeria. It offers a good niche for a business startup using social media tools like Facebook, Youtube and Twitter.

11. Handyman services: For those who are skilled at basic home repair, then it is possible to setup a Facebook fan page that would provide an avenue for clients to call you for repair jobs such as plumbing, etc.

12. Nanny Service: Due to the growing middle class in Nigeria, there’s need for this sort of job and having a social media channel support such services could be a success if properly managed.

13. Computer Troubleshooting: A computer troubleshooting service business can be launched and run using social media tools like Facebook and Youtube.

14. Sewing and Alterations: My girlfriend is quite handy with the sewing machine and often hems and modifies my shirt. Recently, I asked her to setup a Facebook page where she could upload some of her work and the responses have been encouraging.

15. Tutoring: The annual WAEC and JAMB test in Nigeria creates the opportunity for tutoring. Starting such services on Facebook and Youtube, attending to specific subjects can be a welcome idea for a startup business in Nigeria.

16. Landscaping services: With sprawling private residences in Nigeria, the need for landscaping has seen a spike and this business sure does have a lot of potentials in the social media space.

17. Interior decorating: If you’re fascinated by interior design and can decorate a home to taste if given the required design material, then you can setup a social media business to meet this.

18. Baking: Nigerians love confectionery and starting a Facebook Page with pictures of baked products can be enough fan attraction.

19. Cleaning services: A lot of businesses and government offices require professional individuals who can clean their office spaces, running such services with social media exposure is a good start.

20. Website design: Running a website design business doesn’t require much asides owning a pc that is connected to the internet. A good social media campaign can expose your business to a wide audience.

Top Ten Online Payment Platforms in Nigeria

Since the banks recapitalization in Nigeria, online payment platform has grown geometrically year after year as most banks have recognized the need to boost their e-banking channels in the face of competition. While Nigerian banks are scrambling to have their fair share of the market, they are joined in the online payment processing market by other online processing outfits. The advantage of this is that competition has improved drastically in the industry. However, ASNE in a bid to establish the top ten online payment processing platform in Nigeria, information was sourced from Nigerian Payment Processors and Aggregators and from our findings, the top ten online payment platforms in Nigeria is highlighted below:

10. Argonpay

Argonpay as an online payment platform (aggregator) that affords Nigerians the opportunity of accepting payment via the use of MasterCard and Visa. Its features are affordable electronic transfers, exchange of currency, transfer of payments, receipt of payments and transfer of funds to any bank via e-wallet. Its website is www.argonpay.com

9. FirstPayLink

This platform is controlled by First bank Plc, as such, its operation requires that the customer has an account with the parent bank (First Bank). FirstPayLink’s payment encourages both local and international transactions and it does not come with integration plugin like GTPay, Globalpay and so on. It however possesses an integration document which the customer can use for the integration of their website. Its features are flexibility in navigation of payment options, notification of customers with reference number via email address of customers and its benefits include acceptable secure mode, real-time transaction information access and provision of useful report for budgeting and planning. Website: www.firstbanknigeria.com

8. Cashenvoy

Cashenvoy is owned by Electronic Settlement Limited. It began operations as nigeria’s first web payment aggregator in 2009. The company is the only Nigerian online payment processor that Shopify accepts. Its website is www.cashenvoy.com

7. 2Checkout

2Checkout is a United States based online payment processing platform that offer eight payment methods which comprises Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Diner club, debit cards, PIN debit cards, Paypal and American Express. Under this platform, payment is received in currency that is set as default currency on the website of the merchant. The company’s website is www.2checkout.com

6. Simplepay

This is an indigenous outfit located in Abuja, Nigeria. It relies on Zenith bank’s Globalpay in allowing their customers to make online payments. Simplepay is set up in a way that prevents fraud and it has a compact system that monitors transaction flows. Merchants who use the Simplepay medium get their account credited in less than twenty four hours and even, pro services merchant users get their fund instantly. One good feature of this platform is the flexibility it offers customers in the selection of bank to be used as payment receipt. For more information about Simplepay, visit www.simplepay4u.com

5. Voguepay

Voguepay’s uniqueness is that it gives room for customers to accept payment on the websites they own, that is, under Voguepay, automatic withdrawal to the merchant’s bank account is supported whereas under other payment aggregators, merchants manually make withdrawal request. The major distinguishing feature of this payment system is that it has a developed plugin that merchants can easily download and install to their websites. Its website is www.voguepay.com

4. Webpay

This is an online payment system developed by InterSwitch to enable payment via debit cards issued by banks that are affiliated to InterSwitch in Nigeria by acting as a link between banks and merchants. Under this platform, customer’s card information are extracted and saved online by Webpay in a bid to purchase on the merchant’s site. This platform has a direct integration into the websites of customers, as such, funds are transferred into their accounts. Since all Nigerian banks in one way or the other affiliated to InterSwitch, Webpay is the easiest to operate in Nigeria. Webpay’s website is www.interswitchng.com

3. Globalpay

Globalpay is a payment processing platform developed by Zenith bank Nigeria Plc. It is specifically designed to meet the online payment processing needs of high networth customers and top notch professionals. Globalpay supports both local and international cards but has a monthly access fee of NGN 5,0000 , set up fee of NGN 150,000 and charges of $50 per foreign settlement.

2. UCollect

The United Bank for Africa’s online payment processing platform supports local and international card with zero set up fee and also support Euro, Dollar, Naira and Pound denomination. A unique feature of this platform is that a customer and operate a Naira account and a dollar domiciliary account and order the bank to make international payment settlements with the naira account. Ucollect’s website is www.ubagroup.com/countries/ng/ucollect

1. GTPay

Nigeria’s number one online payment platform is a product of her frontline bank, Guaranty Trust bank. The platform works with InterSwitch, MasterCard and Visa. GTPay now comes with better codes. Under this platform, a customer can complete GTPay integration in less than a week and consummate transactions on it. The features of GTPay  are instant deduction from customers card, reduced sign on fee and online transactions tracking.

Read More http://newsofnigeria.com/top-ten-online-payment-platforms-in-nigeria/

How to Develope Hospitality App for Africa

Many African countries may not be as developed as the Western countries, but this “naturalness” is what a lot of tourists love about Africa – the fact that they can see nature and people in their pure element. Most tourists do not want to visit countries that offer them the same sights and sounds that they can get when they are back home!

There are so many boutique hospitality establishments all across Africa which has lots of potential to draw both local and international tourists; but the sad part is that many of these establishments do not have a solid online presence or no online presence at all hence the need for a Hospitality App ! These establishments do not even make it easy for potential guests to book rooms by providing an internet-based booking system – which many hotels in developed nations have been doing for many years.
Developing hospitality app for Africa may (truthfully) be a lot of work at the beginning, but all that hard work is sure to pay off in the long run for entrepreneurs who want to be an agent of positive change.
Developing Hospitality App for Africa

Because more and more people strongly rely on their mobile phone in order to search for products and services from the comfort of their home or while they are on the go, there are a lot of hospitality establishments in Africa that are in search of a mobile marketing strategy for their lodging, eating and/or drinking establishment.  If you own an applications (app) developing business, Africa is definitely a big market to build a successful business. When developing hospitality app for the African market, it is important that you keep the following in mind:

• It is very important that you design and develop an app that will help hotel establishments, tourism boards and eating establishments to boost their revenue and to provide efficient service to their customers.

• Develop a mobile booking app that does more than book hotel rooms for guests. The app should offer users the opportunity to seamlessly communicate with the property management systems.

• Do not just develop apps meant for hotels, Bed and Breakfast and motel establishments. Creating an application for restaurants will also be beneficial as well. Diners can search for restaurants that serve both local and intercontinental dishes. The app can even help diners find restaurants that serve quality food and drinks within their specified budget – people traveling on a strict budget to Africa would appreciate an app like this.

• One way to get the attention of hospitality establishments in Africa is to develop a hospitality app that can be easily customized in order to suit the needs of the establishment.

More and more people in the hospitality business in Africa are constantly in search of new strategies to attract local and international tourists. As an app developer, you can take advantage of this opportunity to help those in the hospitality business get their property into the mobile marketplace and make a
good profit while you are at it.

Innovation Nigeria’s Mobile App Market To Experience 15% Growth Rate – Analysts

Nigeria’s mobile application market is set to experience significant growth in the coming years as smart phone ownership and broadband internet acquisition continues to rise.

According to industry experts, the potential growth will be fostered by the declining prices of mobile phones and gadgets, and would encourage customers to patronize local mobile applications.
“The sub-$100 smartphone is steadily becoming a reality globally. Low-end smartphones are increasingly available and these types of mobile phones will likely grow at a CAGR [Compound Annual Growth Rate] of 15 percent over the coming years,” James Rutherford of Nokia Corporation said.
Figures gathered from GFK Retail and Technology Nigeria reveal that Nigerians spent an average of N92 billion ($566 million) in acquiring 1.82 million in 2012, and analysts believe the sector will record further growths in the next few years.

These figures, though relatively low compared to the country’s total population, still puts Nigeria as the leading market for smart phones in Africa.
According to a report, Nokia has about 73 percent of the Nigeria’s mobile phone market, with Samsung claiming 4 percent. The country currently has over 114 million mobile phones in operation, 10 percent of which are smartphones.

This has created an attractive market for app developers as higher sales and profit returns as well easy adoption makes it an ideal environment for local app development.
“You can see that it has taken an astronomical growth with over 110 million mobile lines. We are in the top ten biggest mobile market in the world, all this in less than a decade. The growth of the app market is a reflection of our mobile market, they go side by side,” said Osamede Umweni, MD of 70th Precinct Limited