Archive for blog
Mobile Coupons are here and set to go ballistic!
It’s not just The Specials Board that thinks so either. Check out the views of Juniper Research on the issue:
“Mobile coupons are going mainstream,” Juniper Research analyst David Snow said in a statement.
“Cost-effective mobile coupon campaigns are now within the reach of smaller retailers, providing them with an easy way to drive profitable footfall and build customer loyalty. To ignore the potential of mobile coupons would be to ignore the future of mobile commerce.”
“Handled properly, the mobile coupon builds customer loyalty.”
Pretty compelling stuff we think and The Specials Board provides you with the perfect opportunity to get on board and capitalise on this huge growth industry with no cost and no hassle.
Mobile downloads to reach 50 billion in 2012
Here at TSB Towers we love to keep you updated with the latest facts and figures from the world of smartphones, apps and the mobile web and recently there have been several studies and bits of research we wanted to share with you.
Firstly a report from independent app store GetJar, has predicted that app downloads will reach a staggering 50 Billion by the end of 2012 which represents a huge leap since it last reported 7 Billion downloads in 2009.
Secondly and perhaps surprisingly given the staggering numbers quoted above ComScore revealed recently that fewer than 50% of mobile phones currently in use in the USA is a smart phone (i.e. able to download, install and use apps) – although this is changing rapidly.
How these figures relate to Australia is a moot point, but this demonstrates if nothing else, that we are still nowhere near the peak of smartphone and app usage.
Aussies like location based deals.
Here at TSB Towers, we like to think we’re on to a good thing, but it is always good to know that people agree with you, which is why when we came across this survey we thought we would share it with you. continue reading »
Why we are not like the daily deals sites
Often when I’m telling people about The Specials Board, they tend to say “What, you mean offers like scoopon / spreets / jumponit / livingsocial” (delete as appropriate)…
*Sigh*
Fine as many of those sites are, we’re not really like them at all, and I find myself several times a week explaining exactly why…. So naturally the thought occurred to me that I should write a blog explaining why we are different and (of course in my view) better!
The Specials Board on android
The Specials Board is now on android! Check us out on the android market
One of the most common comments we’ve had here at The Specials Board is “the iPhone app looks great, but I’ve got an HTC” (you can substitute HTC with Samsung Galaxy S/Xperia/a number of other handsets running android) – so over the last 6 weeks we’ve been resolving that ‘issue’ and developing a version of the app for android.
Because the app has a cloud based backend which supplies all the voucher information, you will find many of the same features from the iOS version on android, although with a few little tweaks unique to android.
Win a meal for 2!
Prize time! Here at TSB towers, we’re feeling generous. Maybe it’s because the rain has finally stopped….. anyway we’ve teamed up with the guys at the Dome restaurant in the Arthouse Hotel to give away a meal for 2 worth $200. (Melbourne – there’s a giveaway heading your way soon!)
It’s really easy to enter all you need to do is:
- Visit a TSB venue
- Buy something (not necessarily with an offer but why not?)
- Take a picture of the receipt.
- Send it to the email address you will find on one of the “Win a Meal for 2″ vouchers on the app.
At the end of June, we will pull a lucky winner at random from all the people who emailed in! Too easy!
Terms and conditions:
Draw takes place at the discretion of WH Mobile PTY Ltd.
This prize is not exchangeable for cash, in part or in full.
The winner will be notified via their email account and must supply us with their contact details.
Prize value is correct at time of publication, but no responsibility is taken for any variation in the value of the prize.
WH Mobile PTY Ltd will not be held responsible for the loss, theft or damage to any prize after it has been awarded, or for any injury that results directly or indirectly from this promotion.
WH Mobile PTY Ltd’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to.
WH Mobile PTY Ltd can amend the terms & conditions of the prize draw without prior notice.
By entering the prize draw, entrants will be deemed to have accepted these terms & conditions.
The Specials Board v2
We’re (beyond) very excited to announce that development is under way on the next major release of The Specials Board app. Our clever geeks are working overtime on a number of enhancements which hopefully should make the app much easier to use. There is some boring stuff to do with workflow, and optimising data retrieval, but here are the 3 main highlights as far as we are concerned:
Search
We’re changing the way the app works when you first load it up. All the clever stuff like finding a location and connecting to the server will happen in the background, but you’ll be able to do simple search for what you want straight away. Don’t worry, the GPS will still filter your results, but now you can find the nearest place with a lunch deal, or even search by location if you want to plan for later.
Favourite
Love one of the venues on the specials board, and just want to check quickly what they have on offer? No problem, as of this next release you can save “merchants” to your favourites folder, which will show all of their live vouchers and deals.
Share
Love a deal, and want to share it with your mates? Easy….. we’ve integrated facebook into the app, so with one touch you can send a status update to your page/share deals with your friends.
Android
Not only are we improving our iPhone app, but we’re also bring all the TSB “going out goodness” to android. That deserves another post in itself, so watch this space!
10 tips for marketing your restaurant online
Having been asked by quite a few of our customers for help with their web and social media presence I thought I would cobble together a post from at least a dozen emails I’ve sent out in the last 2 weeks, with a few pointers of (fairly) easy things restaurants and cafes can do themselves. continue reading »
The Specials Board brings restaurant deals to Melbourne
The Specials Board has officially hit Melbourne!
The first Melbourne venues have hit The Specials Board this week, offering Melburnians access to the same sorts of great deals Specials Board Sydney users have been enjoying since November. continue reading »
The Specials Board in 2011
After a successful launch at the end of last year (despite the Melbourne Cup and Christmas somewhat getting in our way!), we’re looking forward to a busy and exciting 2011. So what is in store for The Specials Board?
continue reading »