The Future of Local Commerce
The author of this post suggests the future is Facebook, Foursquare, Yelp and Groupon. I’d be naive if I didn’t somewhat agree with the caveat that there are a lot of other players in this ecosystem including InSequent.
We are doing most of this already via the mobile web. We integrate with the social graph, provide reviews and coupons and are contemplating our check-in strategy. More than likely we will integrate with leading check-in sites so users can check in there (through our mobile web app) rather than recreating that wheel.
The author points out that a single “app” would be game changing. We have much of that app right now and the best part is that the local business owns it and controls it.
Now, should we build a handset-resident app to go along with our mobile web app? Have to think about that…
http://techcrunch.com/2010/10/30/the-future-of-local-commerce-facebook-foursq…
InSequent to launch redeemable, trackable mobile coupons on merchant mobile web sites.
No app required. This will be launching in mid November. All of our merchants are invited to create coupons, set quantity available and expiration. This program is available to all white label reseller partners and a great additional revenue channel for all. We’re not leaving this whole space to Groupon!
It’s a Mobile Nation as Cellphones and Tablets Take Hold
I’m not sure this really qualifies as news but more people now own cell phones than desktops or laptops. Link to full article above.
Palace Nightclub chooses InSequent
Welcome Palace Nightclub in Chicago as a user of the InSequent mobile platform (through our white label partner Mobilality (Inside Hospitality)). This 24,000 sq. ft. club accommodates up to 1500 people a night and is making a splash with its opening this month. Good luck!
Get more Facebook and Twitter followers
With a mobile website and keyword from InSequent you make it easy for consumers to follow you on Facebook and Twitter. Get yours at www.insequent.com.
Involver Closes $8 Million Series C
Involver, a firm that offers a social media management platform as well as a suite of Facebook Page apps, has closed an $8 million Series C funding round. The round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with existing investors Western Technology Investment and Cervin Ventures participating as well. The news was first noticed
by VentureBeat last week based on an SEC filing, though the reported amount was incorrect and details on investors were not announced.
Involver was founded in 2007 and has 100,000 clients, including big names like The White House, Alicia Keys, and Facebook itself. Its core products include Facebook apps which a brand can use to customize and enhance their Facebook Page (audio players, signup forms, and many more). Involver also recently launched its ‘AMP’ Dashboard, which helps brands manage their presences on Twitter, Facebook, and other sites, tracking inbound tweets, Facebook comments, and allowing the brand to also respond to users directly from the same dashboard.
Congrats to our friends at Involver.
A portal to your local business
A few new features are coming online this weekend:
Upon initial signup, a business will be able to input their telephone number and their business info will be pre-populated via a feed from Citysearch.
We will be featuring a new Reviews button on the mobile sites. These Reviews will be fed from Citysearch and also include Guest Feedback generated from users of our platform.
Businesses will be able to input their Facebook and Twitter URLs so that consumers visiting the mobile site can quickly follow with a touch of the icon.
Much more coming in the area of coupons, sharing/social. We have a large roadmap and an amazing dev team pumping out versions every two weeks.
This service is more than a website and a keyword, it is literally a portal for everything about a business which a consumer can access with a simple text message. Instant gratification, connection and long term relationship formed. Where else is that possible?
Mark
InSequent - Digital Services Platform for Local Businesses 