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Explore strategies and Viber for Business solutions for impactful, goal-driven flash sale campaigns

How to run effective flash sale campaigns with Viber for Business

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Viber Chatbots can help brands balance automation with the human touch to create meaningful customer experiences. Learn how!

Viber Chatbots: Everything You Need to Know

Learn how connecting your chatbot to Viber can take your CX to the next level

Viber Chatbots: Everything you need to know

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Imagine a scenario where a consumer, eager to purchase their desired item, finds it out of stock. Traditionally, this might spell a lost sale for a business. But with back-in-stock alerts, this minor setback transforms into a sales recovery technique.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/business-messages/">Viber Business Messages</a> make it easy for brands to send personalized, timely back-in-stock alerts that increase click-through rates and sales - all while <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/faster-customer-service-and-lower-costs-how-viber-business-messages-make-it-happen/">enhancing the customer experience</a>. Read on to learn more about the benefits of sending back-in-stock alerts on Rakuten Viber, how they work as an efficient sales strategy, and how integrating them into your CRM and CDP platforms can help you deliver timely messages to customers.<h2>What are back-in-stock alerts?</h2>Back-in-stock alerts are notifications, often sent as a text, email, or push notification, that inform customers their desired item has been restocked and is ready to be purchased. More brands are turning to these alerts to boost sales and conversions, especially during slow periods after peak shopping seasons, to re-engage dormant customers. And they work:<ul><li>Push notifications outperform traditional email marketing, with a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://truelist.co/blog/push-notification-statistics/">50% higher open rate</a>.</li><li>Back-in-stock push notifications have the potential to recoup <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.sellerscommerce.com/blog/shopping-cart-abandonment-statistics/">more than 50%</a> of missed sales opportunities.</li></ul><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1920/1080;" src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/back_in_stock_alerts_blog_in_blog_graphic_01_978c8272fe.png" alt="back-in-stock alerts blog_in-blog graphic-01.png" srcset="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_back_in_stock_alerts_blog_in_blog_graphic_01_978c8272fe.png 245w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_back_in_stock_alerts_blog_in_blog_graphic_01_978c8272fe.png 500w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_back_in_stock_alerts_blog_in_blog_graphic_01_978c8272fe.png 750w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_back_in_stock_alerts_blog_in_blog_graphic_01_978c8272fe.png 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1920" height="1080"><figcaption>Example of a back-in-stock alert via Viber Business Message</figcaption></figure><h2>How back-in-stock alerts maximize engagement and revenue</h2>Customers who receive back-in-stock alerts are reminded that what they've been eyeing is ready for purchase, resulting in a significant boost in engagement and revenue:<ul><li>Increased click-through rates (CTR): Back-in-stock alerts help <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/why-messaging-apps-should-be-1-choice-for-marketers/">boost customer engagement</a>, prompting customers to take immediate action by clicking on the notification to revisit the product they were previously interested in. This leads to increased CTR, which is a strong indicator that the alerts are relevant and timely.</li><li>Improved customer loyalty: The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/the-rise-of-personalization-in-mobile-marketing/">personalization aspect</a> of back-in-stock alerts directly contributes to improved customer loyalty. These notifications show customers that a business is attentive to their needs and preferences, thereby nurturing a positive emotional connection to the brand. This personalized consumer experience can lead to repeat purchases and a higher lifetime value per customer, as shoppers often prefer to stick with brands that recognize and cater to their specific interests.</li><li>Soaring sales: The effectiveness of back-in-stock alerts in driving sales is notable as they encourage prompt responses from customers, who are less likely to seek out alternative brands when they quickly find what they want back in stock. They also promote more efficient inventory management, as items are quickly moved from restocked to sold, streamlining the overall sales process. Back-in-stock alerts effectively tap into existing customer interests, influencing higher sales for businesses.</li></ul><h2>The benefits of sending back-in-stock alerts via Rakuten Viber</h2>Rakuten Viber enables brands to reach a global audience across diverse regions and demographics to deliver notifications that feel tailored and genuine. Brands looking to capitalize on the ever-competitive eCommerce landscape can benefit from sending personalized back-in-stock alerts via <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/what-are-viber-business-messages/">Viber Business Messages</a>. Here’s how:<h3>Personalization</h3>Personalization in notifications is a game-changer, known to increase open rates by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.businessofapps.com/marketplace/push-notifications/research/push-notifications-statistics/">up to 400%</a>. Connecting Viber Business Messages to your <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/2023-marketing-toolbox-martech-and-adtech-cdp-ai-superapp/">customer data platform (CDP)</a> will help you use data such as demographics, behaviors, and previous purchases to send timely, personalized notifications that engage customers through rich features - influencing their purchase decisions.&nbsp;<h3>Targeting</h3>Another statistic shows that advanced targeting strategies can <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.businessofapps.com/marketplace/push-notifications/research/push-notifications-statistics/">triple (3x) the chance</a> of notifications being acted upon. Integrating Viber Business Messages into your customer relationship management (CRM) system enables you to send alerts to specific audience segments, increasing click-through rates and conversions. You can segment audiences based on age, gender, purchase history, and more - and tailor your back-in-stock alerts based on the items that speak most to each segment.<h3>AR-powered experiences</h3>Rakuten Viber enables brands to transform their mobile offers into interactive experiences for customers. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/rakuten-viber-and-kiko-milano-bridge-the-gap-between-online-and-offline-beauty-experiences-with-innovative-virtual-try-on/">Viber Lenses</a> are a good way to boost your back-in-stock alerts and influence sales by enabling customers to try on your products before buying them. This can turn hesitant shoppers into confident buyers waiting for your next offer.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1920/1080;" src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/3_ver3_c4971776ef.png" alt="Example of how to use Viber Lenses as a part of a back-in-stock alert" srcset="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_3_ver3_c4971776ef.png 245w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_3_ver3_c4971776ef.png 500w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_3_ver3_c4971776ef.png 750w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_3_ver3_c4971776ef.png 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1920" height="1080"><figcaption>Example of using Viber Lenses to enhance back-in-stock alerts</figcaption></figure><h3>Rich media</h3><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.businessofapps.com/marketplace/push-notifications/research/push-notifications-statistics/">Several factors</a> can amplify the effectiveness of personalized back-in-stock alerts even further. Emojis can make alerts more appealing, resulting in a 20% improvement in open rates. Timing is crucial, and sending notifications at industry-specific times can yield a 40% increase in opens. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/the-impact-of-visual-content-how-messaging-apps-are-changing-the-way-we-connect/">Rich formats</a>, including images or videos, can enhance engagement, leading to a 25% boost in open rates. Viber Business Messages enable brands to share images, videos, emojis, different types of files, and more to better display products, engage customers, and simplify purchase decisions.With Viber Business Messages, brands not only communicate—they engage and convert with precision. Combining the power of these tools and features on one of the world’s most popular <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/why-brands-need-to-embrace-super-apps/">super apps</a> enables you to:<ul><li>leverage advanced automated trigger notifications</li><li>send vivid alerts that engage shoppers at the perfect moment</li><li>provide a user-friendly shopping experience that is straightforward and stress-free</li></ul><h2>Step-by-step guide to sending back-in-stock alerts on Rakuten Viber</h2>To help you successfully implement Viber Business Messages as a part of your customer engagement strategy, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide that encourages higher click-through rates, conversions, and customer satisfaction:<ol><li>Identify popular items: Begin with a keen eye on your inventory trends. Analyze which items sell out quickly and generate a list of high-demand products. This is not just about stock levels—it's about knowing your customers' favorites and anticipating their needs.</li><li>CRM &amp; CDP integration: Connect your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Customer Data Platform (CDP) systems with Rakuten Viber. This will allow you to seamlessly track consumer interactions and facilitate personalized communications. By knowing which items a customer marks as their favorite, adds to a wishlist, or requests a notification, you can accurately target the right audience when an item is back in stock.</li><li>Set up triggered notifications: Leverage Viber Business Messages to create automated, triggered notifications. This system should be adept at recognizing when a customer's 'favorite' item is available, producing an immediate and personalized alert in response.</li><li>Personalize alerts: Dig into the data to craft notifications that resonate personally. Understanding consumer preferences is key to tailoring messages and transforming alerts into more than notifications. This level of customization elevates your service, respects the customer's distinctive taste, and values their time.</li><li>Enrich your messages: Add rich media to your alerts to showcase your products. These features will help you give customers an enticing experience rather than “just another notification” - increasing interest, engagement, and sales.</li><li>Two-click ordering process: Streamline the purchase process by ensuring that customer data, such as addresses and payment details, are securely stored. This convenience is key, allowing for smooth and hassle-free order completion—a priority for time-pressed consumers.</li><li>Analyze and adjust: Continuously measure the performance of your back-in-stock alerts by monitoring the click-through rate. Use these insights to refine your strategy, ensuring your notifications remain engaging and effective.</li></ol><h2>Transform your customer engagement strategy with Viber Business Messages</h2>Back-in-stock alerts are a great way to re-engage customers and encourage purchases. By connecting Viber Business Messages to your CDP and CRM systems, you can send personalized notifications to specific audience segments - increasing click-through rates and their likelihood to buy.You can also leverage rich media features, including images and videos, and call-to-action buttons to provide engaging, two-click purchasing options. Sending these alerts on a channel customers use daily with their family and friends builds trust and loyalty with your brand.<h3>Ready to set up back-in-stock alerts on Rakuten Viber?&nbsp;</h3><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/messaging-solutions/#form_844b64f4-4c98-4d6b-818f-165a36de8b2f">Talk to our team to get started.</a> &nbsp;

Discover how to boost sales with back-in-stock alerts via personalized Viber Business Messages.

Back-in-stock Alerts: How to Boost Sales with Rakuten Viber

Learn how Viber Business Messages help brands send personalized, timely back-in-stock alerts

Back-in-stock alerts: Boost sales with Viber Business Messages

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Rakuten Viber team announces exciting updates for 2025

Viber event recap: The super app for your business growth in the Philippines

Event recap: The super app for your business growth in the Philippines

Viber for Business event in Manila, Philippines

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Rakuten Viber reveals new features for users and businesses in the Philippines

Rakuten Viber unveils 2025 updates based on strong company growth in the Philippines

The app reveals new features to strengthen user-business interactions and foster genuine connections

Rakuten Viber unveils its 2025 updates at the media event in the Philippines

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Learn how super apps, zero-party data, AI, security, and shoppable livestreams are set to shape the industry

Top 5 brand-consumer communication trends to watch in 2025 and beyond

Learn how super apps, zero-party data, AI, security, and shoppable livestreams are set to shape the industry.

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As we embrace Valentine's Day, a time brimming with romance, affection, and connection, it’s a great time to explore creative methods to spread love. And what’s better than using Rakuten Viber, the&nbsp;<a style="text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/why-brands-need-to-embrace-super-apps/">super app</a> that connects billions of hearts globally? With its wide range of features, Rakuten Viber can not only make Valentine's Day special but also cater to changing consumer behavior.In this blog, we’ll walk you through creative ways to use Rakuten Viber for your Valentine’s Day campaigns and offers. Whether it’s sending heartfelt messages, promoting specific products, or just connecting more with your customers, the possibilities are endless. Read on to learn how to make this Valentine’s Day a memorable one for your brand.<h2>Boost engagement with a variety of ad formats and message types</h2>When it comes to&nbsp;<a style="text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/7-ways-to-level-up-your-holiday-marketing-with-rakuten-viber/">holiday campaigns</a>, diversity is best. Reaching customers in different ways will ensure you cut through the noise and that they resonate with at least one of your messages. If you want to set up a Viber Valentine’s Day campaign that grabs attention and keeps your audience engaged, you should consider using a combination of various ad formats and message types.Here are a few to consider:<ul style="margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-inline-start:48px;"><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><a style="text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/marketing-solutions/">Viber Ads</a> keep your brand top of mind during busy holiday seasons. Keep your brand visible among consumers while they chat, talk on the phone, or explore content within or outside the app.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Branded&nbsp;<a style="text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/get-creative-with-viber-lenses-how-to-leverage-them-for-unique-marketing-strategies/">Rakuten Viber Lenses</a> can amplify your promotional campaigns by placing your brand, offers, and discounts in high-visibility positions. These lenses provide an immersive, interactive experience for your audience and drive virality among&nbsp;<a style="text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/adapting-to-the-rise-of-generation-z-strategies-for-engaging-the-growing-wave-of-consumers/">Gen Z</a> consumers.&nbsp;<a style="text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/rakuten-viber-and-kiko-milano-bridge-the-gap-between-online-and-offline-beauty-experiences-with-innovative-virtual-try-on/">See how KIKO Milano used this solution to simplify the shopping experience for their customers</a>.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Branded Viber Gems can further boost your brand visibility by appearing on your audiences’ screens in response to holiday-related keywords, such as “love” or “Happy Valentine’s Day!”, immersing them in festive vibes for greater engagement.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><a style="text-decoration:none;" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/faster-customer-service-and-lower-costs-how-viber-business-messages-make-it-happen/">Rakuten Viber Business Messages</a> makes it easy to connect with your customers through two-way messaging. With a high delivery rate, you can share offers and discounts directly, while engaging with customers in real-time.</li><li style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;list-style-type:disc;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1">To maximize reach and conversions, amplify your offers and discounts with&nbsp;rich media including images, GIFs, videos, CTA buttons, and more.</li><li>A&nbsp;chatbot can be useful to provide your customers with unique redemption codes for your offers and discounts. It leads to higher conversions and a richer customer experience.&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>7 Creative ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Viber</h2>Here are a few ideas and examples of how you can use various features to set up an engaging Valentine’s Day experience on Rakuten Viber:<ol><li>Branded Gems: Set up keyword-triggered animations that appear on your customers’ screens when they chat with family and friends. This unique approach will help you boost visibility and increase reach as users see your brand pop up when they wish each other a “Happy Valentine’s Day” or say “I love you.”</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/dare-to-engage-captivate-your-audience-with-messaging-apps-and-interactive-content/">Branded Stickers</a>: Transform customers into brand ambassadors by creating branded Valentine's Day stickers they can use in their chats. This provides organic exposure and makes your brand a part of the conversation. You can also link the stickers to a Viber Chatbot, guiding users to subscribe when they download your sticker pack.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/how-to-effectively-engage-your-audience-on-viber-without-overwhelming-them/">Personalized Messaging</a>: Send personalized messages to loyal customers to show appreciation: "Thank you for being with us. Here's a little token of our love for you on Valentine's Day! Use this code to receive 15% off your entire purchase: VDAY15 🌹"</li><li>Special Announcements: Share special Valentine's Day news or events using an image that captures the moment, like unveiling a new product accompanied by a message: "Just launched: Our newest product to make your Valentine's Day unforgettable! ❣️"</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/how-viber-chatbots-can-help-improve-customer-service-for-large-companies/">Chatbots</a>: Make your Rakuten Viber chatbot love-ready. Program it to use Valentine's-themed stickers or emojis when interacting. Something like, "Happy Valentine's Day! How can I assist you today? 😍" could be a good start.</li><li>Seasonal Tips and Advice: Offer daily tips or advice leading up to Valentine's Day with appropriate emojis or images to brighten up the suggestions: "Day 5 Love Tip: Plan a surprise date night at home. Set the mood with candles, music, and a cozy atmosphere. 💑🕯️🎶"</li><li>Polls and Quizzes: Create polls and quizzes for segmented audiences to give them a more engaging experience. For example, if you want to target your Gen Z customers, you can ask them “What do you want for Valentine’s Day this year? 🍫Chocolate 💍Jewlery ✈️Adventure ♥️Quality time”&nbsp;</li></ol><h2>Piecing it all together: 360° Campaigns for Valentine’s Day</h2>Although many of these solutions might do the trick on their own, there is always more power in piecing it all together. Setting up a 360° campaign can take your Valentine’s Day marketing from good to great - giving your audience an end-to-end experience in one place.For example, if your goal is to attract a new audience, you can launch <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/marketing-solutions/">Viber Ads</a>, branded Gems or stickers, and AR-powered Lenses - all directing customers to your Viber chatbot. Your chatbot can then share your latest offers, links to your ordering site, and product recommendations. It can also assist your customers after they purchase if they aren’t sure about delivery times or refund policies.<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji-9e_6DQRM"></oembed></figure>Example of a 360° campaign for Valentine’s Day<h2>Unlock the power of Viber for Valentine’s Day</h2>Rakuten Viber offers a variety of features—from engaging <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/more-than-ads-discover-creative-tools-on-viber/">branded Lenses</a> and stickers, unique Gems, and eye-catching ads to personalized <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/viber-solutions-for-brands-business-messages-chatbots-ads-lenses-stickers-and-business-inbox-feature/">Business Messages and chatbots</a>—that can be leveraged to enhance the Valentine's Day experience for your customers. Especially relevant in an era where personal connections are cherished, businesses can set up 360° campaigns that help them connect with customers in a meaningful and heartfelt manner.The possibilities are endless. And it’s up to you to decide what your campaign goals are. Whether you want to build awareness, increase engagement, or simply connect with your customers - there’s a Viber for Business solution that can help. So, embrace the spirit of love and use Rakuten Viber to spread affection, foster connections, and create lasting memories for customers around the globe. Ready to set up your campaign?&nbsp; <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://b2b.viber.com/viber-for-business-form">Talk to us!</a> &nbsp;

Want to drive engagement and boost sales with your Valentine’s Day campaign? Viber for Business solutions can help. Learn how!


7 Creative Ways to Use Rakuten Viber for Valentine’s Day

Discover how Rakuten Viber can help you set up the perfect Valentine's Day campaigns

Spread love and romance: Creative ways to use Rakuten Viber for Valentine's Day

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Rakuten Viber reveals how businesses and users worldwide interacted on the super app

Viber for Business 2024: Key results of the year

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Security and data protection are among the top priorities for any business today - and a dealbreaker for most customers. In fact, <a href="https://iapp.org/resources/article/consumer-perspectives-of-privacy-and-ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">68% of consumers globally </a>are either somewhat or very concerned about their privacy online.Without efficient and <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/rakuten-viber-launches-new-security-solutions-for-businesses/">effective security solutions</a>, businesses are at risk of costly data breaches and leaks. While customers risk being exposed to identity theft and compromised accounts.That’s why Rakuten Viber has recently introduced a new verification message option - to help businesses build secure, trustworthy interactions with their customers.Read on to learn what Viber Verification Messages are, how brands can use them, and the benefits of sending these message types on one of <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/rakuten-viber-achieves-soc-2-type-2-certification/">the most secure super apps globally</a>.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">What are Viber Verification Messages (OTP)?</h2>Viber Verification Messages are <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/business-messages/">business messages</a> that enable brands to authenticate customers by sending them a one-time password (OTP).&nbsp;To help simplify the authentication process, we’ve created verification message templates in 33 languages that enable brands to send one-time passwords in seconds. And customers can complete the process just as fast.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/viber_verification_message_elements_fc39576b5c.png"><figcaption>Viber Verification Message (OTP) elements</figcaption></figure>Powered by high-security solutions on the backend, brands can use Rakuten Viber’s templates to simplify onboarding, shopping, and banking processes in a single app, while keeping all personal information safe. All they have to do is fill in text and numbers in the template and language of their choice.In essence, using Rakuten Viber to send one-time passwords helps brands set up an uninterrupted, secure authentication process with pre-approved localized templates that increase efficiency, security, and conversions.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Viber vs traditional SMS verification: What’s the difference?</h2>When it comes to authentication solutions, traditional SMS has made a name for itself in the one-time password space. However, as practical as SMS is, it lacks the key features Rakuten Viber offers to turn basic security transactions into a seamless branded experience.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/viber_verification_message_vs_sms_otp_message_24083fdd2a.png"><figcaption>Viber Verification Message vs SMS OTP message feature comparison</figcaption></figure><h3 style="text-align:justify;">Fast and simple authentication</h3>Initially, customers would receive a plain text message with their one-time password, which they would need to remember or struggle to copy and paste. Now, they can easily copy their password with the click of a button, speeding up the process and minimizing their frustration.And if you’re wondering how fast is “fast”, Viber Verification Messages can be sent within seconds - a much shorter time-to-live (TTL) than other message types.&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Branded experiences</h3>One-time passwords sent via SMS often arrive in a generic message thread, without a company logo or name. This can raise concern and caution among customers since they can appear as spam at first glance, especially if they are unexpected.&nbsp;With a verified and branded Rakuten Viber business account, one-time passwords are received in a verified business chat that is customized with brand elements, such as colors and a logo. This reassures customers that the message is coming from the right business, minimizing hesitation and increasing trust.&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Advanced security options</h3>Using Rakuten Viber, businesses can ensure their sensitive information stays protected through message encryption and sender verification checks.&nbsp;Viber SecurePlus Messages, for example, are business messages that unobtrusively check a recipient’s phone number to confirm it’s not flagged for potential fraudulent activity, and only deliver your one-time passwords when the recipient has been verified. Brands can also add on additional layers of security, such as:<ul><li>specific user checks</li><li>account activity checks</li><li>account activation/deactivation checks</li><li>device replacement checks</li></ul>Put simply, an SMS OTP message gets the job done but a Viber Verification Message integrates security into an end-to-end journey in one place.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">How Rakuten Viber improves authentication for customers</h2>By using Rakuten Viber, brands can enhance user trust, reduce friction during the authentication process, and improve overall security.In practice, when a customer initiates the OTP process, they will receive their password as a Viber Business Message delivered to a dedicated Business chat inbox, and will simultaneously receive a push notification in their notification bar or lock screen.&nbsp;The message will include a “copy” button which the customer taps to copy the password to their clipboard and paste on the website or in the app. Alternatively, if they don’t want to leave the website or app screen, they can copy and paste the password directly from the push notification.Both options offer users an easy and convenient way to complete their authentication process, eliminating friction and increasing customer satisfaction.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/viber_verification_message_in_practice_3001366ac9.png"><figcaption>Example of receiving a Viber Verification Message in-app and as a push notification</figcaption></figure><h2 style="text-align:justify;">How to get started with Viber Verification Messages</h2>If you already have a Rakuten Viber business account, the process of sending an OTP message is simple. Once our <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/messaging-partners/">messaging partner</a> of your choice updates the Rakuten Viber API, you will be able to unlock the verification message features. Reach out to your messaging partner or your Rakuten Viber Account Manager to learn more.<h3>Don’t have a Rakuten Viber business account?</h3>If you want to start using verification message templates but don’t have a Rakuten Viber business account, you can talk to our experts or <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/messaging-partners/">explore our partner page</a> to get started.<h3 style="text-align:justify;">I’m a messaging platform provider, what do I do?</h3>If you’re a messaging platform provider that wants to facilitate the one-time passwords brands send on your platform, simply integrate the latest version of our API and the verification message templates feature will be available to your clients. If you have any questions, please reach out to your dedicated Rakuten Viber Account Manager.

How to use Rakuten Viber as an OTP channel

Learn more about Viber Verification Messages and why brands should use them to send one-time passwords (OTP) to customers

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The holidays bring one of the year’s most important sales opportunities for businesses, and super apps like Rakuten Viber have taken center stage for successful holiday campaigns. As consumers become more digitally engaged, the way they interact with brands is evolving, and Viber provides unique opportunities for holiday marketing that can help businesses reach their target audience and drive results.Viber for Business solutions enable you to create seamless, all-in-app customer journeys. Regardless of where your customer is in their journey, you can effortlessly continue the interaction and guide them to the next step.&nbsp;Whether you're looking to increase sales, build customer loyalty, or simply raise brand awareness, here are some effective strategies you can use to maximize your holiday marketing:<h2 style="text-align:justify;">1. Leverage Viber Rich Business Messaging&nbsp;</h2>Rakuten Viber offers advanced communication solutions and features to engage customers, and during the holiday season, they become even more powerful. Here are some options you can incorporate into your holiday marketing campaign:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Viber Business Messages: If your goal is to inform and engage customers about new products and services, Viber Business Messages are an effective tool. You can send personalized, one-to-one messages directly to clients who have given consent to receive notifications from your brand. Use <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/viber-business-messages-essentials-for-brand-growth/">Business Messages</a> to reach your customer database with personalized, festive content. Whether it's a holiday sale announcement or a time-sensitive offer, customers can receive your seasonal promotions on the platform they use daily with friends and family - increasing visibility and conversions.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Viber Chatbots: Holiday shoppers are often looking for quick answers. With Viber’s <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/the-chatbot-evolution-from-simple-interactions-to-sentient-like-conversations/">chatbot integration</a>, you can automate responses to common questions about products, shipping details, or store hours. You can also set up holiday-specific workflows to guide customers through your special offers.</li></ul>Use rich media, such as high-quality images, videos, and files, to create visually appealing business messages. You can share holiday-themed content like promotional videos or gift guides to spark interest, add emojis for a playful touch, and create compelling messages of up to 1,000 characters to keep your audience engaged.&nbsp;To boost chatbot engagement, customize buttons to guide users through seamless interactions, and enhance the experience with <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/marketing-solutions/#:~:text=CONTACT%20US-,Stickers,-A%C2%A0picture%20really">holiday-themed stickers</a> and GIFs that add personality. Create carousels showcasing festive products to drive purchases, while providing personalized recommendations that resonate with your audience. These features not only capture attention but also foster deeper connections with your brand, improving customer satisfaction and driving conversion.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">2. Personalize messaging for a better customer experience</h2>Personalization is key to standing out during the busy holiday season. With Rakuten Viber, you can send customized messages that speak directly to your audience’s preferences and behavior. Here are a few ideas how:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Send relevant content: Integrate your CDP or CRM system with Viber Rich Business Messaging to analyze customers, segment your audience into different groups (e.g., frequent shoppers, first-time visitors, high spenders), and send them tailored offers. Personalization can go beyond names to include product recommendations based on previous purchases or browsing behavior.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Share holiday greetings: A simple, heartfelt message can go a long way. Send personalized holiday greetings to your customers to show appreciation for their support over the year. This adds a personal touch that helps build brand loyalty.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Offer exclusive deals to loyal customers: Create VIP promotions or exclusive discounts for your loyalty club members. Offering these special perks makes customers feel valued and encourages them to repeat purchases from your business.</li></ul><h2 style="text-align:justify;">3. Run targeted ads</h2><a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/rakuten-viber-ads-vs-traditional-advertising-efficiency-and-scale/">Viber Ads</a> allow businesses to run targeted ad campaigns that reach the right audience at the right time. This solution is perfect for holiday marketing and, among many use cases, it allows you to:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Raise awareness and generate new leads: Use targeting capabilities to reach users who may be new to your brand but share similar interests or behaviors with your existing customers. Run eye-catching ads that highlight your unique holiday offerings, keeping your brand top-of-mind for your prospective audience.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Retarget past customers: If you’ve been running campaigns throughout the year, you can use Viber’s retargeting capabilities to re-engage users who have interacted with your brand but haven’t converted into paying customers yet. Retargeting can help you fight cart abandonment, upsell and cross sell during the holiday season.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Create seasonal promotions: Launch geo-targeted ads to reach customers in specific regions with localized holiday promotions. Whether you’re running a holiday discount or promoting an exclusive event, location-based targeting can ensure your message reaches the right people.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Facilitate conversions: With the Click-to-Message solution on Viber, you can drive simpler and faster conversions from your ads. This solution pairs ads with a chatbot: users click the ad, interact with a pre-defined chatbot, and complete purchases in just a few clicks. It’s ideal for businesses looking for quick, effective conversions without the need to build complex chatbots.&nbsp;</li></ul><h2 style="text-align:justify;">4. Engage with customers through interactive content</h2>The holiday season is about connecting with your customers in fun and engaging ways. Viber offers several interactive options to make your brand part of the festive excitement:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Virtual showrooms: Use <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/get-creative-with-viber-lenses-how-to-leverage-them-for-unique-marketing-strategies/">AR-powered Viber Lenses</a> to create a virtual try-on experience. During the busy shopping season, customers will appreciate the option to try products from the comfort of their homes. Your Lenses can link directly to your website or Viber Chatbot, allowing customers to complete their purchases in just a few clicks. <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/rakuten-viber-and-kiko-milano-bridge-the-gap-between-online-and-offline-beauty-experiences-with-innovative-virtual-try-on/">See how KIKO Milano used this solution to simplify the shopping experience for their customers</a></li><li style="text-align:justify;">Branded stickers: Viber Stickers allow your brand to integrate seamlessly into users' conversations. Create holiday-themed stickers that feature your brand and encourage users to share them with their contacts. This provides organic exposure and makes your brand a part of the conversation. You can also link the stickers to a Viber Chatbot, guiding users to subscribe when they download your sticker pack. This helps build awareness and creates a lead generation funnel during the festive season.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Holiday Gems: Viber Gems are animations triggered by specific keywords in user chats which offer exclusive brand placement, since only one brand can reserve them at a time in each market. You can brand these animations during the holidays to seamlessly become part of the celebrations. For example, in Greece, Fanta <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/success-stories/story/fanta-greece/">joined the carnival </a>celebrations in user chats, Puma launched branded animations during the European Championship, and in the Philippines, Nestlé Nido <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/branded-viber-gems-debut-in-apac-nido-mothers-day-campaign-in-the-philippines-on-rakuten-viber/">became a part of customers' Mother's Day</a> greetings.</li></ul>If your goal is to attract a new audience, you can create effective 360° campaigns that lead users to your chatbot, providing a seamless customer experience. For example, you can launch Viber Ads, branded Stickers, and AR-powered Lenses—all directing customers to your chatbot on Viber to drive conversions during the holiday season. Additionally, to boost your brand’s visibility, you can use branded Gems that appear in response to holiday-related keywords, immersing users in festive vibes for greater engagement.<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/Ji-9e_6DQRM?si=WkzErjCv-vBxNVna"></oembed></figure>Example of a 360° campaign for Valentine’s Day<h2 style="text-align:justify;">5. Track performance and adjust your campaigns in real-time</h2>One of the biggest advantages of using Rakuten Viber for holiday marketing is the ability to track campaign performance in real-time. With Viber’s analytics tools, you can monitor seen rates, click-through rates, and engagement metrics to see how your messages and ads are performing.If you want your campaign to perform better, you can quickly make adjustments to optimize your efforts. For example, you can tweak your messaging, target a different audience segment, or experiment with a different type of content to see what resonates best during the holiday season.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">6. Build long-term customer relationships beyond the holidays</h2>While the holiday season is a great opportunity for short-term sales, it’s also important to think about long-term customer relationships. Use Rakuten Viber as a channel to foster loyalty and keep your audience engaged well beyond the holidays:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Customer support: After the holiday rush, customers often have questions about their purchases, like how to use or assemble them. And since <a href="https://www.liveperson.com/resources/reports/2021-conversational-commerce/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">91% of customers</a> prefer brands that offer the option to message or call for support, it’s important to have both of these options available to them. Keep your <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/how-to-open-a-viber-business-account/">Viber Business Account</a> active and responsive with chatbots and business messages to provide quick support. While <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/rakuten-viber-expands-its-portfolio-for-brand-user-interaction-with-business-calls/">Viber Business Calls</a> enables customers to call you for free from anywhere in the world - whether they can’t continue typing or simply because it’s easier to explain certain details over the phone.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Post-holiday promotions: Don’t let the momentum stop when the holiday passes. Run post-holiday sales and promotions to capitalize on the ongoing shopping mood and clear out leftover inventory.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Customer feedback: Ask customers for feedback on their holiday shopping experience with your brand. This shows you care about their opinions and can help you refine future marketing strategies.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Subscription offers: Encourage customers to stay connected with your brand by offering subscription options for exclusive offers, early access to sales, or birthday discounts throughout the year.</li></ul><h2 style="text-align:justify;">7. Stay ahead of trends with Rakuten Viber’s innovations</h2>Rakuten Viber is constantly evolving, introducing new solutions and features that can further enhance your holiday marketing campaigns. From raising awareness and generating new leads to driving sales and building loyalty, Rakuten Viber is helping brands create more dynamic and effective campaigns to achieve different business goals.Make sure you’re taking advantage of <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/maximizing-sales-the-power-of-viber-ads-and-viber-business-messages/">Viber for Business solutions</a> to stay ahead of the curve and maximize your holiday marketing impact.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Level up your holiday marketing campaigns</h2>The holiday season is the perfect time to connect with your customers in meaningful ways, and Rakuten Viber offers an array of tools to help you do just that. From personalized messaging and interactive content to targeted ads and performance tracking, Rakuten Viber can elevate your holiday marketing efforts and drive real results.By creating a festive, engaging, and customer-centric experience on Viber, your brand can stand out from the competition, build lasting relationships, and make the next holiday season your most successful one yet.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Ready to get started?</h2>If you're looking to elevate your holiday marketing strategy on Rakuten Viber, reach out to our team for more tips, tools, and best practices!

7 ways to level up your holiday marketing with Rakuten Viber

Set up your holiday marketing campaign on Rakuten Viber to increase reach, conversions, and loyalty

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Why brands need to embrace super apps

Learn about the features and benefits of super apps and how brands are using them

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September 26 was an important day for our team and partners as we gathered in Bulgaria to discuss the current trends taking shape within business messaging and the important role super apps play in customer communication.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Challenges and trends for businesses: The super app era</h2>Our Chief Revenue Officer, Cristina Constandache, opened the event discussing the current communication challenges businesses and their customers face, and the trends we need to know today to stay relevant tomorrow.Here are a few of the key trends highlighted during the event:<ol><li style="text-align:justify;">Consumers want privacy – but are looking for relevance: It’s time to move away from spray-and-pray messaging and lean into zero-party data that enables targeted and personalized two-way communication.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Mobile-first to mobile-only: As 5G and mobile commerce grow, brands will shift to mobile-only, focusing on seamless mobile engagement.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Consumers use fewer mobile apps as they settle on favorites: Brands need to embrace super apps, that will end up on users' home screens - the most expensive digital real estate.</li></ol>When choosing digital channels, brands should also pay attention to security and privacy features, as choosing an untrustworthy channel poses several threats. In her presentation, Cristina shared how Rakuten Viber has been building its <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/superapp-for-marketers-part-2-viber-a-trending-superapp/">super app</a> ecosystem over the years, while keeping security at it’s core, which has led to its top three ranking among messaging and calling apps for security.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Viber for Business: A powerful suite of solutions for brands&nbsp;</h2>Our Senior Director of Advertising solutions, Jean-Marc Alomassor, and Partnerships Account Director, Limor Bailey, shared the many ways businesses can use Viber for Business to grab customer attention, guide them on their journey with your brand, and keep them coming back for more – all in one place.With 94% of smartphone users in Bulgaria already using Rakuten Viber, brands that are thinking of building their presence on the app can ensure they’ll reach their customers - old and new.&nbsp;And with our recent innovations and newly launched features, brands have a wider scope of use cases to experiment with to learn what resonates with their customers, including:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Full screen ads that help your message grab customers’ undivided attention</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Click-to-message solution that make it easier for you to quickly convert potential leads into customers with a combination of Ads and a pre-defined Viber Chatbot</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Viber Gems which enable brands to <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/success-stories/story/fanta-greece/">build emotional connections</a> with customers with the help of branded animations in user chats that are triggered by keywords during important seasons, such as holidays or international sporting events</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Verification messages that help brands send one-time passwords in a cost-efficient and secure manner</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Enhanced-protection messages that provide maximum safety and security with user verification before sharing sensitive information</li></ul><h2 style="text-align:justify;">What’s next for Rakuten Viber?</h2>Although we are launching new solutions that brands can use to boost their marketing efforts, we aren’t stopping there.Cristina Constandache highlighted Rakuten Viber’s plans to create a one-stop shop for customers and businesses of all sizes – providing a seamless, cost-efficient way to maintain online presence that makes it easy to find, reach, and do business with brands.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">How brands use Rakuten Viber to reach their goals</h2>Our Senior Director of Sales and Partnerships, Noa Bar Shay, and Director of Global Strategic Partnerships, Konstantin Kostadinov, showed how to use Viber for Business to <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/enhancing-security-efficiency-revolutionizing-banking-communications-through-viber-business-messages/">enhance security</a>, create <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9MOlK-NQZE&amp;t=1s">360-degree campaigns</a>, and build a unique and personalized <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/how-to-enhance-customer-experience-foster-customer-loyalty-with-rakuten-viber/">customer experience</a>.We even had the chance to hear the success stories from our customers and partners who have built brand presence on Rakuten Viber using our suite of business solutions. Among the presenters were:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Angela Sinkovic, Head of Enterprise at our trusted partner NTH Group, who presented the success story of Klett. The company used personalized and targeted Viber Business Messages to enhance marketing campaign effectiveness, leading to higher delivery rates and doubled event registrations.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Boryana Gigova, Marketing and Business Development at The Media Shop Bulgaria, who shared a success story of our client Mr. Bricolage about how Viber Ads and branded Viber Lenses leading to their new channel increased engagement and click-through rates.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Radoslav Dimitrov, Senior Director, Card Business at Borica Bank Services, who showcased how they used a Viber Chatbot to simplify food voucher management and access to exclusive promotions and discounts from retailers for its employees.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Maya Angelova, CEO of DSK Ventures, who explained how they used transactional Viber Business Messages with SMS fallback and rich promotional Viber Business Messages for marketing campaigns to reach more than half of their customers while reducing costs.</li></ul>The Rakuten Viber team was delighted to meet with brands and partners in Bulgaria! Watch the video of the best moments and highlights of the evening below to relive it with us.If you’re ready to tap into Viber for Business solutions to reach your business goals, <a href="https://b2b.viber.com/viber-for-business-form">talk to our team</a>.<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/5YnZ8sEXhWA?si=TBTkyhqWFBoi5vYc"></oembed></figure>

Discover how brands in Bulgaria can use Viber for Business solutions

Event recap: The Super App for All Your Business Needs in Bulgaria

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Rakuten Viber, a pioneer in secure global messaging solutions and a leading super app in Europe, today launches new security solutions to further protect communication on the platform. Now businesses can authenticate users to enhance trust and reduce fraud.Verification messages provide a secure and seamless way to authenticate clients through one-time passwords (OTPs). Businesses can use ready-made templates, which are designed to increase conversions, to send OTPs easily and save time. Rakuten Viber offers lower costs than SMS and allows businesses to set a time limit for delivery. The messages are encrypted, and the sender is marked with a blue tick to indicate a verified business, adding an extra layer of trust. When users receive a Viber verification message, they can quickly copy the PIN code using a ‘copy’ button in the chat. Push notifications also feature a 'copy' button, allowing users to copy codes without even opening the chat.SecurePlus messages add an extra layer of security by checking the recipient’s number to confirm it’s not flagged for potential fraudulent activity. Private and sensitive information, such as transaction details and bank statements, is only delivered once Rakuten Viber has verified the recipient in real-time. Originally developed for Eurobank, one of Europe’s leading banks, this solution is now available globally to meet the growing demand for <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/how-brands-can-find-the-most-secure-messaging-app-for-business-use/">advanced security</a> from companies handling sensitive customer information.&nbsp;New solutions help businesses increase trust and meet rising consumer expectations, as<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1332294/trustworthiness-transparency-in-marketing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"> 60% of online customers</a> now prioritize security and transparency in communications with businesses. This is especially important for companies in the <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/enhancing-security-efficiency-revolutionizing-banking-communications-through-viber-business-messages/">finance</a>, insurance, and pharmaceutical industries, handling sensitive customer information. In addition, Viber verification messages support a fast, frictionless authentication process, and data shows that this smooth experience can boost conversions by <a href="https://www.beyondidentity.com/resource/the-importance-of-user-experience-in-customer-authentication#:~:text=The%20Benefits%20of%20Optimizing%20The%20User%20Experience&amp;text=When%20the%20UX%20behind%20your,as%2054%25%20for%20new%20customers." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">up to 54% for new customers</a>.These updates are complemented by Rakuten Viber’s recent <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/rakuten-viber-achieves-soc-2-type-2-certification/">SOC 2 Type II certification</a>, a rigorous security audit that validates the app’s robust data protection measures. As one of the top three messaging and calling apps rated for security by <a href="https://www.test.de/Messenger-Apps-im-Vergleich-4884453-0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Stiftung Warentest</a>, Rakuten Viber provides encryption in transit for communication between businesses and users, while maintaining end-to-end encryption for private and group chats as well as private calls. Rakuten Viber’s enhanced security means that private messages are never stored on the super app's servers and that all connections remain HTTPS-secure.Sokratis Kalamatianos, responsible for Digital Solutions at Eurobank comments, “As a bank, security is paramount to us. Collaborating with Rakuten Viber to develop a product for enhancing the protection of sensitive information was truly rewarding for Eurobank. Our journey through this process was seamless, driven by our shared commitment to security. The fact that this solution is being rolled out further is a testament to our innovative collaboration.”"Security is a part of Rakuten Viber's DNA," said Cristina Constandache, Chief Revenue Officer at Rakuten Viber. "Our new solutions reinforce our commitment to safeguarding every brand-user interaction while solidifying our role as a secure super app. Our mission is to create a platform where everyone can engage seamlessly, with confidence in the privacy and integrity of their communications.”The new security solutions are available to businesses worldwide on demand.If you’d like to learn more about building customer communication within a secure ecosystem, feel free to <a href="https://b2b.viber.com/viber-for-business-form">reach out to us.</a>

Learn about the latest updates for safe communications between businesses and customers

Rakuten Viber launches new security solutions for businesses 

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Leading messaging app Rakuten Viber has officially opened its new office in the Philippines, marking a significant milestone for the company as it broadens its presence and increases activities in the region. This new hub is a major indication of how Rakuten Viber - which is part of Rakuten Group, Inc. - intends to expand its investments and operations in the market.Located in the bustling BGC in Manila, the new office aims to foster a culture of creativity and innovation and is designed to facilitate collaboration and growth for the local key business units. These include Growth covering marketing and business development, B2B for advertising sales and business messages, Fintech which involves legal and product management, and Customer Support.&nbsp;David Tse, Senior Director for APAC at Rakuten Viber, shared that the opening of the Manila office is part of the goal to support the growth of the region. “Rakuten Viber is evolving into the next stage. We are adding more features to meet the growing needs of our users, both individuals and businesses. This is an essential part of our growth strategy as a true super app in the Philippines,” said Tse.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Official_opening_of_the_new_Rakuten_Viber_office_in_the_Philippines_de5d5599c2.jpg"><figcaption>Official opening of the new Rakuten Viber office in the Philippines (L-R) Karla Banua, Sales Lead – Advertising, APAC; Kris Aquino, Support Shift Manager; Kiel Desengaño, Product Manager (Fintech); and David Tse, Senior Director for APAC</figcaption></figure>Rakuten Viber has consistently extended its features and services in the Philippines, from channels promoting small businesses to enabling artists to engage with fans via the Backstage Pass Channel. The app also offers useful productivity tools such as the AI Chat Summarizer and Folders to organize chats, on top of business toolkits for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME). These initiatives have made the super app an essential part of the daily communication and lifestyle needs of Filipinos, with more features for individuals and businesses set to be released in 2025.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Rakuten_Viber_office_in_the_Philippines_aa639eb7f1.JPG"><figcaption>Rakuten Viber office in Manila</figcaption></figure>Tse added, “The Philippine market has absolutely evolved for Rakuten Viber. This would not have been possible without every person on the Rakuten Viber team in the country. We will continue to expand our headcount and are building a truly great team here. I’m happy to see their passion and dedication in providing more innovative solutions and services that will enhance the lives of our Filipino users.”&nbsp; &nbsp;

Rakuten Viber is evolving into the next stage in the Philippines

Rakuten Viber expands operations with new Manila office to boost services for Filipino users

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<a href="https://www.viber.com/">Rakuten Viber</a>, the leading global communications platform that securely connects hundreds of millions of users with thousands of brands worldwide, presented new features of the app, enabling efficient and trusted interactions between Hungarian businesses and consumers.&nbsp;At an event held in Budapest, Rakuten Viber looked at how trust impacts reputation and revenue for businesses. This is particularly important for the diverse business community in Hungary where the rules of communication are changing, with users relying on fewer mobile apps but are also expecting personalised offers while their privacy is upheld.&nbsp;&nbsp;Expanding features for businesses&nbsp;To address this changing landscape, Rakuten Viber is a superapp that matches expectations of Hungarian consumers with moderated public channels, manually verified official business accounts and high-level encryption and processes that are certified and compliant with international and local data privacy laws.&nbsp;The company enables businesses to reach their customers safely and efficiently through dedicated <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/">Viber for Business</a> solutions, which are gaining more interest among Hungarian brands. In a year, average monthly impressions for <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/marketing-solutions/">Viber Ads</a> grew by 15% as brands enhance their visibility and attract new users. The number of <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/business-messages/">business messages</a>, used to build 1-to-1 communication, increased by 19%. Among these, promotional notifications like special offers grew by 27%, conversational messages used for around-sales support grew by 88%, and transactional messages, such as order confirmations and important information like account balances, grew by 47%, reflecting greater trust from brands.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Konstantin_Kostadinov_Director_Global_Strategic_Partnerships_at_Rakuten_Viber_3b14f54915.JPG"><figcaption>Konstantin Kostadinov, Director, Global Strategic Partnerships at Rakuten Viber</figcaption></figure>The app is expanding its suite for businesses, helping them further build brand awareness, customer engagement and trust. Amongst the updates are click-to-message solutions for simple conversions and branded <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/immersive-advertising-on-rakuten-viber-loux-fyi-marketing-easter-campaign-with-viber-gems/">Viber Gems</a> - animations that appear in response to keywords in user chats, which businesses in Hungary can now brand for special occasions.Rakuten Viber also launched Secure Rich Business Messaging solutions for one-to-one communication with customers, which provide a high level of safety for user and transaction verification. In addition, Viber now offers <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/rakuten-viber-expands-its-portfolio-for-brand-user-interaction-with-business-calls/">Business Calls</a> in Hungary, which serve as an ‘in-app business call center’ customers can reach from anywhere, for free. This feature has been developed to cater for the <a href="https://www.liveperson.com/resources/reports/2021-conversational-commerce/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">91% of consumers</a> who prefer brands that offer them the option to call or message.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Mariia_Martyrosian_Global_PR_and_Marketing_Innovations_Director_B2_B_at_Rakuten_Viber_190ee04cf5.JPG"><figcaption>Mariia Martyrosian, Global PR &amp; Marketing Innovations Director, B2B at Rakuten Viber</figcaption></figure>Peace of mind for users and brandsWhile these features enable businesses to optimise customer experience, trust is often eroded by identity theft and cyberattacks. Hungary has the fourth highest exposure rate to cybercrime in Central and Eastern Europe, according to a report from 2022. With Hungary also lagging behind other European countries in terms of cyber awareness, businesses in the country are particularly vulnerable to cybercrime.To support them, Rakuten Viber is built with security at its core. Rated among the top three messaging and calling apps for security by the European consumer organization<a href="https://www.test.de/Messenger-Apps-im-Vergleich-4884453-0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"> Stiftung Warentest</a>, Rakuten Viber uses encryption in transit for brand-user communication. The app also offers end-to-end encryption for its core private and group chats as well as private calls. Private messages are never stored on Viber’s servers, and connections are secure and HTTPS-only. These high security standards give Hungarian users and brands a unique opportunity to communicate with each other in a safe space.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Noa_Bar_Shay_Senior_Director_Sales_and_Partnerships_at_Rakuten_Viber_3cc9bb8560.JPG"><figcaption>Noa Bar Shay, Senior Director, Sales &amp; Partnerships at Rakuten Viber</figcaption></figure>“Hungary has been one of our key markets for many years, and we are excited to expand our offering in the country”, said Noa Bar Shay, Senior Director, Partnerships &amp; Sales at Rakuten Viber. “Businesses are under a lot of pressure to build, retain and grow a loyal customer base. With budget restraints, an easy-to-use and cost-efficient platform is crucial for them to communicate safely with their customers. We will give them a boost with safe and efficient tools that help them increase customer satisfaction and retention.”The new features form part of Rakuten Viber’s superapp strategy in Hungary to build a trusted ecosystem for businesses of all sizes, from MSMEs to large corporations with international operations.<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/p5tKlfxnJDs"></oembed></figure>

Viber for Business team shows how the app develops solutions to meet the needs of brands and users

Rakuten Viber reveals new superapp features for  trusted brand-user communication in Hungary

Viber for Business team shows how the app develops solutions to meet the needs of brands and users


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Athens, Greece – Rakuten Viber, <a href="https://www.coca-cola.com/gr/el">The Coca-Cola Company </a>, and <a href="https://www.mindshareworld.com/">Mindshare</a>, won the Silver Award at the <a href="https://www.digitalmediaawards.gr/">Digital Media Awards 2024</a> in Greece for Best Innovative Service, recognizing their <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/a-unique-media-first-campaign-is-led-by-fanta-on-rakuten-viber/">media-first Fanta campaign</a>. The ceremony, held at the Markou Wine Museum, celebrated top innovations in the digital media space.The Fanta campaign, launched during Greece’s vibrant carnival season, introduced two groundbreaking solutions on Rakuten Viber:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Branded Viber Gems: Fanta-themed animations were activated by carnival-related keywords and phrases in users' chats and brought the celebration spirit to life. In Greece alone, Viber Gems are used approximately 7.3 million times each month, highlighting the significant reach and impact of this innovative approach.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Branded Viber Lenses: Powered by Augmented Reality (AR) technology, these interactive lenses allowed users to embellish their photos and videos with festive carnival themes, encouraging user-generated content and deepening engagement with the Gen Z demographic.</li></ul>Both the Fanta-branded Lenses and Gems were promoted externally and within the app through the official Rakuten Viber Greece channel and a banner on the Explore screen.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Branded_Viber_Lenses_and_Viber_Gems_for_the_award_winning_Fanta_campaign_in_Greece_e4a4579963.png"><figcaption>Branded Viber Lenses and Viber Gems for the Fanta campaign in Greece</figcaption></figure>The Coca-Cola Company became the first company worldwide to use branded Viber Gems and the first to launch branded Viber Lenses in Greece. During the <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/success-stories/story/fanta-greece/">two-week campaign</a>, over 5.6 million Fanta-branded Viber Gems appeared in the chats, and more than 256,000 users engaged with the AR-powered Lenses. Impressively, 13.5% of those who tried the Lenses shared their photos with others."We're thrilled to see our collaboration with Rakuten Viber recognized on such a prestigious platform. The implementation of branded Viber Gems and Viber Lenses marked a significant innovation in digital marketing, resonating strongly with the target audience of the campaign," said Maria Fitta, Media Operations Senior Manager Greece, Cyprus &amp; Malta, at The Coca-Cola Company.Nikos Syrios, Sales Manager, CEE at Rakuten Viber, added, "This award is a testament to our mission to empower local businesses with innovative digital solutions. Our collaboration with Coca-Cola Hellas and Mindshare has pushed the boundaries of what's possible in digital media, and we are honored to have been part of this journey."To learn more about Rakuten Viber’s innovative advertising tools, feel free to <a href="mailto:advertisers@forbusiness.viber.com">reach out</a> to our team.

Branded Viber Gems and Viber Lenses take the award for Best Innovative Service

Rakuten Viber, Fanta, and Mindshare win Silver at the Digital Media Awards 2024 in Greece

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Rakuten Viber visited Vietnam to meet with local journalists, brands, and partners and announce the launch of new initiatives to strengthen ties with users and businesses in the country. At the events with media and brands in Hanoi, the company unveiled its strategy to support local communities with innovative and secure communications solutions.&nbsp;A key focus for the company, which has been in the market for several years,&nbsp; is to provide Vietnamese users and brands with innovative products and features that resonate with their daily needs. Rakuten Viber is already collaborating with multiple government services and over 100 leading brands across sectors including telecommunications, financial technology, and aviation.&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;"> App usage is growing in Vietnam, based on advanced security features</h4> Each month, Vietnamese Viber users send 474 million messages, make 16 million calls, and exchange 36 million pictures on the app. Usage numbers continue to grow and are primarily driven by highly dynamic working professionals, with the majority living in big cities and 67% aged 25 to 50. The app provides them with new intuitive tools to organize and summarize chat messages, enhancing their productivity.Rakuten Viber also provides users with peace of mind by offering end-to-end encryption for all private and group chats as well as private calls. Messages are never stored on Viber’s servers, and connections are secure and HTTPS-only, keeping the user experience safe. This is crucial as security is a growing concern in Vietnam, with 32,265 cyber attack attempts reported in Q1 2024 by the Information Technology and Cyber Security Monitoring Center of Vietnam. Rated among the top three messaging apps for security by the European consumer organization <a href="https://www.test.de/Messenger-Apps-im-Vergleich-4884453-0/">Stiftung Warentest</a>, Rakuten Viber also uses encryption in transit for brand-user chats. These high security standards give users and brands a unique opportunity to communicate with each other in a safe space.&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;"> Trusted and targeted communications for businesses</h4> To further enhance the security of these user interactions, Rakuten Viber recently introduced a secure way for brands to safely share activation passwords (OTP codes). Rakuten Viber will also launch ‘enhanced-protection messages’, which verify that a recipient's number is not connected to fraudulent activity. This feature will be available to Vietnamese brands by Q1 2025 and is especially useful for banks, financial institutions, and companies dealing with sensitive information.Vietnamese brands also benefit from Viber for Business, a suite of solutions to build tailored customer journeys within the app. These include Viber Advertising to reach and engage target audiences, and Viber Rich Business Messaging for secure and cost-effective one-to-one communication between brands and users. Viber Business Calls provide an ‘in-app call center’ that is accessible and free for customers from anywhere in the world, helping brands create a better customer experience. In Vietnam, key industries using these solutions are travel and hospitality, retail and e-commerce, finance, real estate, logistics, and transportation. During the presentations, the Rakuten Viber team showed how to use Viber for Business to elevate the brand's mobile marketing strategy.“Vietnam is one of the most developed countries in the world when it comes to smartphone usage, and messaging is a crucial element of day-to-day communications”, says David Hoang, Business Development &amp; Sales Manager for Vietnam at Rakuten Viber. “We look forward to working closely with consumers and businesses in Vietnam, to create an experience that is built on a maximum of security and brings value to both with innovative solutions. These help users to communicate freely and safely, and businesses to engage efficiently and securely with them.”&nbsp;<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/d1LO7QzIJrs"></oembed></figure>

Rakuten Viber unveils new added-value features for users and brands in Vietnam

Global app goes local: Recap of Rakuten Viber events in Vietnam

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In today's business world, customer experience and loyalty are pivotal in ensuring long-term success. As businesses recognize the profound impact of retaining existing customers versus acquiring new ones, the focus has shifted to enhancing customer experiences and nurturing lasting relationships. It is estimated that it can cost up to <a href="https://www.outboundengine.com/blog/customer-retention-marketing-vs-customer-acquisition-marketing/#:~:text=Acquiring%20a%20new%20customer%20can,customer%20is%205%2D20%25." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">five times more</a> to attract new customers than to keep existing ones, making it clear that investment in customer satisfaction and loyalty is not just beneficial but essential.&nbsp;The benefits are manifold:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Increased customer retention: A superior customer experience ensures that customers are satisfied, reducing the likelihood of them switching to competitors.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Higher customer lifetime value: Loyal customers are more likely to make repeated purchases and spend more over time.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Positive word of mouth: Happy customers are your best advocates. Their satisfaction drives recommendations and organic growth.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Enhanced brand reputation: Consistently delivering excellent customer experiences strengthens your brand’s reputation and builds trust.</li></ul>Implementing a rewards program is a highly effective strategy for fostering customer loyalty and spending. Research indicates that <a href="https://dc-docs.dcatalog.com/Bond-Brand-Loyalty/TLR-2021/ea224c14-999b-404d-9ec9-c2bd8a2ffab3/TLR2021_ExecutiveSummary_USA.pdf?v=16351975111190.2676058934113973" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">64%</a> of loyalty program members spend more money.Given that a significant number of customers prefer rewards that are accessible via mobile devices, Rakuten Viber offers an ideal platform to meet this requirement.Rakuten Viber offers a range of features designed to enhance customer experience effectively. From <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/the-rise-of-conversational-commerce-how-viber-rich-business-messaging-is-transforming-the-customer-experience/">Rich Business Messaging</a> and personalized interactions to integrated CRM and CDP systems, the platform ensures that your customers feel valued and understood. Rakuten Viber is not just about enhancing experiences; it's about building lasting relationships.&nbsp;<h2>Enhance Your Loyalty Program with Viber Integration</h2>Loyalty programs supported by Viber can significantly boost customer satisfaction and spending.Here are several ways you can leverage Viber:1. Virtual loyalty cards: Provide your customers with virtual loyalty cards that they can easily access and manage through the Viber app. This not only makes it convenient for them but also keeps your brand top-of-mind.2. Promoting loyalty programs and encouraging customers to join: Using <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/marketing-solutions/">Viber Ads</a> in conjunction with personalized messages ensures that a business’ promotional efforts are both effective and non-intrusive. Viber integrates ads seamlessly into the user experience, while personalized messages provide value and relevance, enhancing customer satisfaction and brand perception.&nbsp;3. Reminder notifications: Send timely reminders to customers about their bonus points and encourage them to redeem these points. This can effectively drive repeat purchases and maintain engagement.4. Exclusive offers and updates: Send personalized messages and exclusive offers to your loyalty program members. Keeping your customers informed about the latest deals and updates can further incentivize them to stay engaged with your brand.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Promote_and_manage_loyalty_programs_with_Viber_Ads_and_Rich_Business_Messaging_a671001b36.png"><figcaption>Promote and manage loyalty programs with Viber Ads and Rich Business Messaging</figcaption></figure><h2 style="text-align:justify;">Streamline Your Loyalty Program: Leverage CRM, CDP, and Viber Chatbots for Ultimate Efficiency</h2>Managing a loyalty program requires efficient handling of customer data and interactions. Integrating Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems with Customer Data Platforms (CDP) can significantly enhance your ability to manage and optimize your loyalty program.1. Comprehensive customer profiles: By merging CRM and CDP, you can create detailed customer profiles that consolidate data from various touchpoints. This unified view helps you understand customer behaviors, preferences, and purchase history, enabling more personalized engagement.2. Data-driven insights: The integration of CRM and CDP provides robust data analytics capabilities. You can identify trends, segment your customer base more effectively, and tailor your loyalty program to meet the specific needs of different customer groups.3. Enhanced targeting: With a comprehensive dataset at your disposal, you can design targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with individual customers. This can increase the effectiveness of your loyalty program, driving higher engagement and retention rates.4. Real-time updates: A synchronized CRM and CDP setup allows for real-time data updates. This means that any changes in customer behavior or preferences are immediately reflected, which enables you to respond promptly and keep your loyalty program relevant.Automation is a key component in managing a loyalty program efficiently, and <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/chatbots/">Viber Chatbots</a> offer an excellent solution for this purpose.&nbsp;<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Personalized communication: With the help of integrated CRM and CDP systems, Viber Chatbots can deliver personalized messages and offers to the members of the loyalty program.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Automated reminders and notifications: Chatbots can be programmed to send automated reminders to customers about their unredeemed points, upcoming expiration dates, or new rewards. These timely notifications encourage them to stay active in the loyalty program.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Interactive engagement: Viber Chatbots can facilitate interactive experiences, such as quizzes, surveys, or mini-games to keep your customers engaged. These activities can be linked to earning additional points or unlock special rewards, adding a fun element to your loyalty program.</li></ul><figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Send_special_offers_to_loyal_customers_through_Viber_Chatbots_6addd50785.png"><figcaption>Send special offers to loyal customers through Viber Chatbots</figcaption></figure><h2 style="text-align:justify;">Podorozhnyk’s Success Story</h2>For over twenty years, the <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/success-stories/story/podorozhnyk-pharmacy/">Podorozhnyk</a> pharmacy chain has been at the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry in Ukraine, dedicated to providing high-quality pharmaceutical care.Podorozhnyk aimed to achieve the following goals through the partnership with Rakuten Viber:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Enhance customer engagement</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Generate leads and boost revenue</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Offer tailored promotions</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Collect customer feedback</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Improve customer experience and loyalty</li></ul>To meet these objectives, Podorozhnyk utilized Viber Rich Business Messaging to engage with customers throughout their purchasing journey. Personalized Viber Business Messages directed users to the chatbot, which increased engagement with promotional offers. The Viber Chatbot played multiple roles: it gathered feedback, conducted polls and promotions, acted as a virtual loyalty card, and facilitated order placements for in-store pickup.The results of this strategy were impressive:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Return on Investment: Increased by 10%</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Year-over-Year Turnover: Grew by 37%</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Promotional Campaign Performance: Achieved a 450% Return on Marketing Investment</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Chatbot Subscribers: Reached 1.1 million within the first year</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Customer Feedback: Received from 46% of bot subscribers</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Online Orders: Half of all online orders for pickup were placed via the chatbot</li></ul>This case study highlights how Podorozhnyk’s strategic use of Viber Business Messages and Chatbot functionalities significantly boosted customer engagement, feedback collection, and overall business performance.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/How_Podorozhnyk_Pharmacy_engaged_1_M_audience_in_a_year_on_Rakuten_Viber_113a9986e9.png"><figcaption>How Podorozhnyk Pharmacy engaged 1M+ audience in a year on Rakuten Viber</figcaption></figure><h2 style="text-align:justify;">Seamless and Swift: Delivering Instant, Efficient Customer Support</h2>In today's fast-paced world, customers have exceptionally high expectations for support services—<a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/live-chat-go-to-market-flaw?hubs_content=blog.hubspot.com%2Fservice%2Fcustomer-service-stats&amp;hubs_content-cta=HubSpot%20Research" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">most expect assistance to be instantaneous</a>. Poor quality or delayed support can severely impact the customer experience, leading to dissatisfaction and potential loss of business. Viber Business Messages and Chatbots are designed to <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/improve-customer-service-with-viber-messaging-solutions/">meet this demand</a>.1. 24/7 chatbot support: Viber Chatbots can address routine inquiries around the clock, and manage multiple questions simultaneously. This not only ensures that customers receive immediate responses but also alleviates the workload and operational costs for human agents.2. Efficiency and speed: Automated responses through chatbots handle common queries instantly, while more nuanced issues are escalated to human agents for personalized care.3. Seamless two-way communication with Viber Business Messages: Engaging with a brand on Viber is as straightforward and convenient as chatting with a friend. This ease of use enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty. Moreover, this platform supports the exchange of pictures, videos, and files, allowing for a richer and more responsive experience.4. Personalized human assistance: For more complex issues that require a human touch, Viber’s Conversational Business Messages facilitate convenient, one-on-one communication between customers and support agents. This ensures that customers receive personalized and attentive service when it matters most.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Provide_customer_support_with_Viber_Chatbots_and_Viber_Business_Messages_d62227909d.png"><figcaption>Provide customer support with Viber Chatbots and Viber Business Messages</figcaption></figure><h2 style="text-align:justify;">Viber Business Calls for Instant, In-App Support</h2>Statistics show that <a href="https://pr.liveperson.com/2022-04-20-Hold-the-phone-87-of-consumers-worldwide-prefer-brands-that-connect-their-interactions-across-voice-and-messaging" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">91%</a> of customers prefer to have the option to message or call a business. For those who prefer voice communication, <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/rakuten-viber-expands-its-portfolio-for-brand-user-interaction-with-business-calls/">Viber Business Calls</a> provide a seamless and free in-app calling option.&nbsp;Early adopters have the option to set up searchable business accounts featuring an integrated Viber Business Call button or to incorporate this functionality into their current accounts. This integration simplifies the process for customers to locate and directly contact the service through the app. Moreover, users can start a call straight from a chat, such as contacting a delivery service to reschedule a parcel delivery after getting a notification.This feature serves multiple purposes across various industries, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.1. Retail and delivery sector: Assist customers with product inquiries, track orders, and provide post-sales support.&nbsp;2. Banking and financial services: Address account inquiries, schedule appointments, manage transactions, and offer personalized financial advice.&nbsp;3. Pharmacies and healthcare: Assist with prescription refills, share branch schedules, and provide consultations on medications, including advice on allergic reactions and side effects.&nbsp;4. Travel and hospitality: Manage bookings, provide travel advice, and handle cancellations or rescheduling.&nbsp;5. Telecommunications: Troubleshoot technical issues, manage service plans, and offer promotional deals.&nbsp;All in all, in-app calls enable instant resolution of customer queries, reducing wait times and enhancing customer satisfaction.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Give_customers_the_choice_to_message_or_call_your_brand_via_Viber_Business_Calls_9c7717fcdf.png"><figcaption>Give customers the choice to message or call your brand via Viber Business Calls</figcaption></figure><h2 style="text-align:justify;">Secure Your Brand’s Future</h2>Investing in customer experience and fostering loyalty is not just good practice; it's necessary for any brand aiming for long-term success. By neglecting loyalty programs and robust customer support mechanisms, brands risk losing a significant portion of clientele over time. Rakuten Viber offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to enhance customer satisfaction, from promoting loyalty programs with Viber Ads and personalized messages to managing these programs efficiently through CRM and CDP integration and Viber Chatbots. Additionally, Viber’s capabilities in providing personalized assistance and instant support via Business Messages and in-app call centers ensure that your customers receive the timely and effective service they deserve.Don’t wait to see your customers drift away. Take proactive steps to enhance their experience and foster loyalty. Turn to the Rakuten Viber team today and revolutionize your customer engagement strategy.&nbsp;<a href="https://b2b.viber.com/viber-for-business-form">Contact us</a> now to get started.

Boost CX and loyalty with Rakuten Viber via ads, chatbots, personalized messages, and in-app calls

How to enhance customer experience & foster customer loyalty with Rakuten Viber

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<a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/">Rakuten Viber</a>, the global leader in private and secure messaging and voice-based communication, has teamed up with <a href="https://faisgroup.com/index.php/en/faisgroup/">KIKO Milano</a>, No. 1 makeup brand in Italy, distributed exclusively by Fais Group, to transform the beauty shopping experience in Greece. Now, Greek users can <a href="https://lenses.viber.com/4ea08b8a-3a16-41cc-b6c6-efc6f15bd0cf/05c50ddf-2c46-4c9a-b64d-9ebf738c5db2">try on the iconic KIKO Milano 3D Hydra Lipgloss</a> virtually within the Rakuten Viber app and then quickly buy it with just a few clicks.KIKO Milano creatively uses <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/get-creative-with-viber-lenses-how-to-leverage-them-for-unique-marketing-strategies/">branded Viber Lenses</a> for a virtual try-on, blending the physical and digital ("phy-gital") experiences to create a smarter, more engaging way for consumers to interact with beauty products. This innovation leverages the trend of <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/why-your-e-commerce-strategy-needs-rakuten-viber-a-path-to-success/">online shopping</a>, as 67% of internet users in Greece shopped online last year, according to Eurostat.How it works:&nbsp;<ol><li>Users find KIKO Milano lipsticks in the Rakuten Viber app’s Lens collection.</li><li>They can try different shades virtually without visiting a store.</li><li>Users click the purchase button to go to the KIKO Milano website and complete the purchase.</li></ol><figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Viber_Lenses_for_a_virtual_try_on_Kiko_Milano_ed766ea541.png"><figcaption>Virtual try-on of KIKO Milano lipstick with Viber Lenses</figcaption></figure>To draw customers’ attention to the virtual try-on Lens, KIKO Milano has used Viber Ads, guiding users from the Explore screen — where they typically read local content and news — straight to the Lens.Nikos Syrios, Media Sales Manager in CEE at Rakuten Viber, commented on the collaboration: "We are thrilled to partner with KIKO Milano to bring this innovative virtual try-on experience to our users in Greece. By combining the power of AR with the convenience of mobile shopping, we are setting a new standard for consumer engagement in the beauty industry."Thymios Kostakis, Head of Digital Marketing at Fais Group, added: "At KIKO Milano, we are always looking for innovative ways to connect with our customers and enhance their shopping experience. Our partnership with Rakuten Viber allows us to bring the magic of our products directly to our customers' fingertips, making beauty shopping more accessible and enjoyable."<a href="https://lenses.viber.com/4ea08b8a-3a16-41cc-b6c6-efc6f15bd0cf/05c50ddf-2c46-4c9a-b64d-9ebf738c5db2">Viber Lenses with KIKO Milano lipstick</a> are available in the app’s Lens collection until June 22.&nbsp;Would you like to create your own virtual try-on experience with branded Viber Lenses? <a href="mailto:advertisers@forbusiness.viber.com">Reach out </a>to our team to launch your innovative campaign.<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/DczLWdvxmQE?si=etM4vsMy4Xd59vQ1"></oembed></figure>

KIKO Milano leverages branded Viber Lenses for an immersive shopping experience in Greece

Rakuten Viber and KIKO Milano bridge the gap between online and offline beauty experiences with innovative virtual try-on

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At Rakuten Viber, security and privacy are core to our product design and philosophy. As we aim to provide a secure communication environment for users and brands, we are proud to announce that Rakuten Viber has received the SOC 2 Type II certification.<h3 style="text-align:justify;">What is SOC 2 Type II?</h3>SOC 2 is a rigorous audit framework commonly used for SaaS companies and developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). SOC 2 is like a financial audit but for data security. Just as an accountant thoroughly reviews a company’s financial records to ensure they are accurate and comply with regulations, SOC 2 auditors thoroughly review a company’s data security practices to ensure they meet high standards.Type II involves extended testing of security systems: from three months to a year. This thorough approach ensures the company consistently maintains high security standards, not just for a short time. It provides stronger proof that the company's data protection measures are reliable and trustworthy.Rakuten Viber’s audit was conducted by one of the Big Four professional services firms and a true auditing expert. It confirms our high standards in security, availability, confidentiality, and privacy of customer data.This certification proves that Rakuten Viber’s security practices meet some of the highest standards in the world.“Obtaining SOC 2 Type II compliance is a significant milestone for Rakuten Viber and a testament to our unwavering commitment to ensuring the security and privacy of our users,” said Liad Shnell, VP Engineering and CISO. “This certification validates our proactive approach to information security and our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of data protection. We will continue to prioritize the confidentiality and integrity of the information entrusted to us and strive to provide a secure and reliable messaging platform for our global community.”<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Rakuten Viber: private &amp; secure — as a standard</h3>SOC 2 compliance is an important benchmark, but it's not the only reason to trust us. In 2016, Rakuten Viber became one of the first major messaging apps to implement end-to-end encryption for all private chats and video calls, and we constantly work on improving our infrastructure to ensure security.Key security and privacy measures:<ol><li style="text-align:justify;">AWS cloud infrastructure&nbsp; (Amazon Web Services): Our servers use AWS, which supports many security standards and compliance certifications: PCI-DSS, HIPAA/HITECH, FedRAMP, GDPR, FIPS 140-2, and NIST 800-171.&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Secure connections: Public servers connect to ours over HTTPS only, and communication with partner or customer servers is always SSL-encrypted.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Legal compliance: We comply with PCI, GDPR, and applicable data protection laws, including CCPA &amp; CPRA. (Rakuten Viber’s GDPR compliance includes complete data mapping, adjustments to data practices where required, and also allowing the automated exercise of data subject rights.)&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">IP Whitelisting: We whitelist specific IPs, rather than domains, for each business.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">No message storage: We do not store the contents of our customers’ private messages on our servers after delivering them.&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Rigorous encryption: All private and group chats and private calls use end-to-end encryption by default. Viber Business Messages and bots are protected with encryption in transit: as soon as the message is sent (it’s “in transit”), it’s encrypted and will stay encrypted while it is in transit — until it reaches the final destination.&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">No data selling: Rakuten Viber never sells our customer information.</li></ol>We want everyone using Rakuten Viber — both users and brands — to feel completely safe and in control of their data.&nbsp;Have questions about our security practices? Check out these resources for more information:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;"><a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/privacy/">Viber for Business: security &amp; privacy</a></li><li style="text-align:justify;"><a href="https://www.viber.com/en/terms/viber-privacy-policy/">Rakuten Viber: Privacy Policy</a></li></ul>

Our commitment to top security and user privacy is recognized at the highest level

Rakuten Viber achieves SOC 2 Type II certification

Our commitment to top security and user privacy is recognized at the highest level


Rakuten Viber achieves SOC 2 Type II certification.png

In collaboration with Rakuten Viber and our partner FYI Marketing House, Greek beverage company Loux , 'celebrated' Easter with an immersive marketing campaign on Rakuten Viber. Loux became the first local brand in Greece to use branded Viber Gems for an Easter celebration.Viber Gems are special animations activated by specific holiday-related words and phrases in users' conversations. So, this year, as millions of people in Greece sent Easter greetings to each other, phrases like "Happy Easter", "Many Happy Returns", and "Xristos Anesti" activated a branded Loux animation with the Easter basket.Perfect for holiday marketing, corporate branded Viber Gems offer a unique brand placement opportunity. They increase brand visibility, while staying immersive and creating a pleasant and positive association between the brand and a holiday period full of festive vibes. During the Easter period of 2024 in Greece, 13 million Loux-branded Viber Gems were created within just 5 days, making the brand a part of the nationwide celebrations. This was an excellent way to leverage the new holiday marketing tool, as well as Rakuten Viber’s tremendous presence in <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/shaping-the-future-viber-for-business-exclusive-event-in-greece/">Greece, which is one of the company’s key markets</a>.“In Lοux's DNA lies innovation, even in communication. Through the collaboration we've developed with Rakuten Viber, we believe we've done something different. The utilization of branded Viber Gems not only amplified engagement with Loux but also expanded our reach to a broader audience demographic,” says Platon Marlafekas, Vice President at LOUX. “This online campaign differs from the ways of interacting with the public that we have been using until now as it has something completely new to offer.”<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Branded_Viber_Gems_used_in_Loux_s_2024_Easter_campaign_2c635f1ce7.png"><figcaption>Branded Viber Gems used in Loux’s 2024 Easter campaign</figcaption></figure>Branded Viber Gems are an innovation in digital marketing because they:<ul><li>seamlessly integrate the brand into users' daily conversations on Rakuten Viber, providing a unique opportunity to enhance brand recognition immersively;</li><li>offer a <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/more-than-ads-discover-creative-tools-on-viber/">fun way to showcase the brand</a> and create positive emotional associations for the users;</li><li>cut through the competition and noise in the digital space as vibrant branded animations easily <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/maximizing-the-power-of-viber-advertising-solutions-for-building-brand-awareness/">garner attention from users</a>;</li><li>increase audience interaction and engagement with the brand, while offering a fun user experience on the Rakuten Viber platform;</li><li>enhance the brand's image in the digital space and highlight its use of innovative marketing tools and technical solutions, attracting new and existing customers.</li></ul>"We would like to thank our client, Loux, and our partner, FYI Marketing House, for their trust and continuous effort to innovate and offer inventive formats to the public,” says Nikos Syrios, Media Sales Manager, CEE, at Rakuten Viber. “We believe that this kind of campaign offers Rakuten Viber users a unique interactive experience and strengthens brand awareness.""We're incredibly proud of our collaboration with Loux and Rakuten Viber on this pioneering campaign,” says Giorgos Karamitsos, CEO at FYI Marketing House. “By harnessing the power of branded Viber Gems, we've not only elevated engagement with Loux but also revolutionized the digital marketing landscape in Greece. This innovative approach marks a new era in our industry."Curious about this ground-breaking tool for immersive advertising? <a href="mailto:advertisers@forbusiness.viber.com">Get in touch with us</a> to learn more about branded Viber Gems!

Immersive advertising on Rakuten Viber: Loux & FYI Marketing Easter campaign with Viber Gems

Loux joined nationwide Easter celebrations in Greece with a holiday marketing campaign using branded Viber Gems

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In the <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/why-your-e-commerce-strategy-needs-rakuten-viber-a-path-to-success/">world of e-commerce</a>, one of the biggest challenges retailers face is cart abandonment. Imagine a scenario: you've spent hours curating a beautiful online store, optimizing your product descriptions, and crafting irresistible offers. A customer comes along, fills their virtual cart with items, and then, just as they're about to check out, something distracts them. Maybe their phone rings, or they get a notification on another app. Whatever the reason, they abandon their cart, denying you potential sales. Many e-commerce brands will find this scenario all too familiar.The phenomenon of cart abandonment is a menace to businesses worldwide. According to Forrester Research, it costs brands up to <a href="https://www.dynamicyield.com/blog/shopping-cart-abandonment-ebook-announcement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">$18 billion</a> in lost sales revenue annually. That's a staggering amount of potential revenue slipping through the cracks.Cart abandonment rates are not static; they fluctuate based on factors such as device used, geographic location, and specific industry. However, as aggregated data from <a href="https://marketing.dynamicyield.com/benchmarks/cart-abandonment-rate/#:~:text=Cart%20abandonment%20rate%20statistics&amp;text=APAC%20has%20witnessed%20the%20most,%2C%20and%2061.18%25%20from%20desktop." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Dynamic Yield</a> shows, the average rate rose to 72.97% (as of April 2024), across all devices and regions.Assessing from a regional standpoint, the APAC region outdid others with the highest proportion of abandoned carts at <a href="https://marketing.dynamicyield.com/benchmarks/cart-abandonment-rate/#:~:text=Cart%20abandonment%20rate%20statistics&amp;text=APAC%20has%20witnessed%20the%20most,%2C%20and%2061.18%25%20from%20desktop." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">79.94%</a>, followed by EMEA at <a href="https://marketing.dynamicyield.com/benchmarks/cart-abandonment-rate/#:~:text=Cart%20abandonment%20rate%20statistics&amp;text=APAC%20has%20witnessed%20the%20most,%2C%20and%2061.18%25%20from%20desktop." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">72.8%</a>, and then the Americas at <a href="https://marketing.dynamicyield.com/benchmarks/cart-abandonment-rate/#:~:text=Cart%20abandonment%20rate%20statistics&amp;text=APAC%20has%20witnessed%20the%20most,%2C%20and%2061.18%25%20from%20desktop." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">71.76%</a>.These rates can rise even further for particular device types, industries, or types of products. For instance, as <a href="https://marketing.dynamicyield.com/benchmarks/cart-abandonment-rate/#:~:text=Cart%20abandonment%20rate%20statistics&amp;text=APAC%20has%20witnessed%20the%20most,%2C%20and%2061.18%25%20from%20desktop." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Dynamic Yield’s data</a> shows, mobile has been responsible for 76.06% of shopping cart abandonment across all industries and regions.There are differences by industry, too: for example, Luxury &amp; Jewelry saw the highest cart abandonment rate (<a href="https://marketing.dynamicyield.com/benchmarks/cart-abandonment-rate/#:~:text=Cart%20abandonment%20rate%20statistics&amp;text=APAC%20has%20witnessed%20the%20most,%2C%20and%2061.18%25%20from%20desktop." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">79.04%</a> in April of 2024 and on average <a href="https://marketing.dynamicyield.com/benchmarks/cart-abandonment-rate/#:~:text=Cart%20abandonment%20rate%20statistics&amp;text=APAC%20has%20witnessed%20the%20most,%2C%20and%2061.18%25%20from%20desktop." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">80.22%</a> over the past twelve months), compared to Pet Care &amp; Veterinary Services where it’s been the lowest in the last year, at <a href="https://marketing.dynamicyield.com/benchmarks/cart-abandonment-rate/#:~:text=Cart%20abandonment%20rate%20statistics&amp;text=APAC%20has%20witnessed%20the%20most,%2C%20and%2061.18%25%20from%20desktop.">57.43%</a>.This issue is alarmingly prevalent when it comes to <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/mobile-commerce-how-messaging-apps-are-driving-sales-and-conversions/">mobile commerce</a>, especially during a time when e-commerce brands are witnessing the increased shift to mobile shopping, with <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/568684/e-commerce-website-visit-and-orders-by-device/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">78%</a> of global retail site traffic being attributed to smartphones, mobile accounts for more than two-thirds of all online shopping transactions as over <a href="https://webinarcare.com/best-mobile-e-commerce-software/mobile-e-commerce-statistics/#:~:text=The%20share%20of%20mobile%20ecommerce,2016%20market%20share%20of%2052.4%25." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">72% </a>of e-commerce sales happen on mobile devices.There is a solution to combat cart abandonment with the help of <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/business-messages/">Viber Business Messages</a>. In this article, we will explore various methods that can help <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/the-ultimate-guide-to-viber-for-business-for-retail-brands/">retailers</a> recover lost sales and engage with their customers effectively.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/How_to_reduce_cart_abandonment_with_Viber_Rich_Business_Messages_d890341c2c.png"><figcaption>How to reduce cart abandonment with Viber Rich Business Messages</figcaption></figure><h2>Cart Abandonment in Focus</h2>To effectively address the cart abandonment issue, businesses must understand the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8811303/pdf/fpsyg-12-829696.pdf">reasons</a> shoppers abandon purchases — and implement effective sales-rescue strategies. Here are some top reasons why consumers abandon carts:1. Distractions: Customers can be easily sidetracked by everyday occurrences like calls, messages, or other events.2. Cost-related issues: Higher total costs due to shipping fees or any other additional charges might deter a person from completing the purchase.3. Indecisiveness: Customers may have doubts and second thoughts about making a purchase, especially if they're uncertain about the product's quality, suitability, or functionality.4. Lack of time-based incentives: If offers aren't time-bound, buyers might add items to the cart intending to finalize the process later but end up forgetting all about it.5. Lack of personalized offers: Customers are always looking for deals that cater to their specific needs. If the offer isn't tailored enough, they may drop out.6. Lack of trust: Many customers have concerns about data privacy and safety and feel reluctant to provide their personal and financial details to unfamiliar websites.7. Lackluster visuals: Unappealing visual presentations of the products or the offers can lead to cart abandonment.&nbsp;8. Complex checkout process: A lengthy or complicated checkout process can cause customer friction and discourage shoppers from completing their purchases.While it sounds challenging, all of these issues can be addressed with a smart strategy that combats cart abandonment. Getting it done right would allow your business to:<ul><li>Recover lost sales: combating cart abandonments allows businesses to recover potential lost sales by convincing customers to make it through the transaction. This can significantly impact revenue and profitability.</li><li>Build customer loyalty: Implementing effective remarketing methods shows customers that the company values their business and wants to help them complete their purchase. This can build trust, loyalty, and long-term customer relationships.</li><li>Improve customer satisfaction: By addressing cart abandonment causes, businesses can improve the overall customer experience. Simplifying the checkout process, offering multiple payment options, and providing clear product information can help buyers feel more confident about their purchase decisions — which improves both customer satisfaction and your bottom line.</li><li>Increase customer lifetime value: smart remarketing tactics and personalized offers not only help recover lost sales but also increase the potential for repeat purchases. By re-engaging customers who have abandoned their carts, businesses can increase their customer lifetime value (CLTV) and generate additional revenue in the long term.</li><li>Gain competitive advantage: Companies that effectively address cart abandonment gain a competitive advantage in the market. By offering a seamless and personalized shopping experience, they can draw customers away from competitors and secure a larger market share.</li></ul><figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Smart_remarketing_tactics_and_personalized_offers_with_Viber_Rich_Business_Messages_4b7bd85a92.png"><figcaption>Smart remarketing tactics and personalized offers with Viber Rich Business Messages</figcaption></figure><h2>Rakuten Viber's Arsenal: Tactics to Beat Cart Abandonment</h2>Let's explore some tactics that can help you beat cart abandonment using Rakuten Viber.&nbsp;1. Using Viber Rich Business Messaging for reminders: One effective tactic is sending reminders to customers about their abandoned shopping carts. Thanks to rich media available withViber Rich Business Messaging, you can create eye-catching and visually appealing messages that capture their attention and remind them why they wanted the product to begin with. Use images, video to showcase the products left in their carts and provide a link to complete the purchase easily and quickly, before another distraction or concern can get in the way. The attractive visuals and persuasive content will motivate them to finish their shopping.2. Offer personalized incentives to complete the purchase: Sometimes, all it takes is a little nudge to push shoppers toward completing their purchase. Rakuten Viber allows you to integrate CRM &amp; CDP systems, so each offer you send via Viber Business Messages can be tailored to each specific customer. Use your owned customer data to segment your audience and deliver custom incentives that would actually tempt the customer: exclusive discounts on products they buy frequently, free shipping, or a personalized offer they are likely to want. With a smart cross-selling approach, you can laser-target your offers based on the customer’s history of purchases and everything else you know about them. A compelling incentive is both more effective and appreciated: it can make your customers feel valued and provide them with an extra push to complete their purchase.3. Use instant messaging on Rakuten Viber to send time-sensitive updates and offers: Creating a sense of urgency can be a powerful motivator for customers to complete the purchase. Rakuten Viber's TTL feature enables you to send messages that must be delivered within a specified timeframe, so you can use them to send limited-time offers. Combined with good CTA buttons, the urgency compels buyers to take immediate action, reducing the chances of them abandoning their carts and boosting conversions. With limited-time personalized offers, you can create a feeling of exclusivity and encourage customers to act quickly to secure the deal.4. Remarketing strategies:&nbsp;Another effective tactic to tackle cart abandonment is remarketing. With Rakuten Viber, you can leverage the owned, first-party data you’ve collected from customer interactions and create personalized remarketing campaigns. By retargeting customers who abandoned their carts with tailored offers and messages, you can remind them of their unfinished purchases and entice them to come back. Rakuten Viber Rich Business Messaging and <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/marketing-solutions/">Viber Advertising solutions</a>&nbsp;can both be used to engage and reconnect with potential customers.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/How_personalized_offers_via_Viber_Rich_Business_Messages_help_with_cart_abandonment_774394e45d.png"><figcaption>How personalized offers via Viber Rich Business Messages help with cart abandonment</figcaption></figure><h2>Case Study</h2><a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/success-stories/story/yespo/">Yespo</a>, an omnichannel customer data platform catering to B2C businesses, integrated Rakuten Viber as part of its communication portfolio to extend its outreach. The platform deployed the combined power of Rakuten Viber's promotional and transactional business messages, aiding brands in delivering tailored offers, diminishing shopping cart abandonment, boosting revenues, and carrying out entire omnichannel cascade campaigns.Many of Yespo's customers benefited from this integration with Rakuten Viber. For example, the international e-commerce marketplace Shafa used promotional Viber Business Messages containing links and dynamic content. Thanks to Rakuten Viber, it received 2.5x more orders at half the operational costs.Another notable example is the Auchan supermarket chain in Ukraine: after Rakuten Viber was added to Yespo’s CDP, Rakuten Viber users generated revenue accounting for an impressive 20% of their total. 70% of this revenue was attributed to reducing cart abandonment through the use of promotional Viber Business Messages.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Success_Story_how_Yespos_integration_with_Rakuten_Viber_boosted_sales_and_reduced_costs_by_reducing_cart_abandonment_b5c131eb24.png"><figcaption>Success Story: how Yespo's integration with Rakuten Viber boosted sales and reduced costs by reducing cart abandonment</figcaption></figure><h2>Rakuten Viber: Your Solution for Recovering Abandoned Carts</h2>Reducing cart abandonment and <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/maximizing-sales-the-power-of-viber-ads-and-viber-business-messages/">boosting sales</a> is much easier with Viber Rich Business Messages. By using personalized offers and reminders, time-sensitive updates, and remarketing tactics, businesses can engage customers, recover lost sales, and increase revenue. With a large user base and high engagement rates, Rakuten Viber provides a wide reach and the right tools for maximum impact. By optimizing campaigns using data-driven insights in real time, businesses can enhance their cart recovery tactics and achieve even better results.Don't miss the chance to re-engage customers and maximize revenue. Contact our <a href="https://b2b.viber.com/viber-for-business-form">team</a> today, and we’ll help you implement effective cart abandonment solutions with Rakuten Viber.&nbsp;

Recovering Lost Sales: Reducing Cart Abandonment with Viber Business Messages

Reduce cart abandonment with Viber Business Messages. Discover effective tactics to recover lost sales and boost conversions.

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Rakuten Viber, the global leader in private and secure messaging and voice-based communication and a leading communication app in the Philippines, has <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/a-unique-media-first-campaign-is-led-by-fanta-on-rakuten-viber/">recently rolled out</a> Branded Viber Gems, its latest interactive <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/maximizing-the-power-of-viber-advertising-solutions-for-building-brand-awareness/">advertising</a> solution.One of the country’s trusted growing up milk brands and the expert in healthy toddlerhood, NIDO 3+5+, introduced the solution in the Philippines with a special Mother’s Day campaign, developed together with its integrated media agency OpenMind. The NIDO 3+5+ Branded Viber Gems campaign is the solution’s debut not just in the country, but across the entire Asia Pacific region.Viber Gems are special festive animations activated when users send certain words or phrases such as ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘Happy New Year’. The feature has long been enlivening chats: in 2023 alone, it received over 35 million views in the Philippines. Branded Viber Gems are a unique product placement option that raises <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/more-than-ads-discover-creative-tools-on-viber/">brand visibility</a> and creates <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/the-power-of-being-authentic/">positive associations</a> between a popular holiday and a brand.Rakuten Viber and NIDO 3+5+ made sure to celebrate all moms and their acts of love: when users send ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ in chat, their moms, grandmas, aunts, and all kinds of mothers (fur ones included!) will see a vibrant festive greeting with a yellow heart, courtesy of NIDO 3+5+. Truly recognizing everything our moms do for us and honoring every mom as a #1Mom.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Branded_Viber_Gems_debut_in_APAC_with_Nido_Mother_s_Day_campaign_mockups_purple_fc97bf91d4.png"><figcaption>Branded Viber Gems debut in APAC with Nido Mother’s Day campaign</figcaption></figure>“NIDO 3+5+ has been the #1 Ally of Filipino moms for more than 50 years now. We take pride in supporting our moms in ensuring a healthy future for their toddlers. That's why we celebrate all moms as #1Moms! We're very excited to partner with Rakuten Viber for our Mother’s Day campaign. We see Branded Viber Gems as an innovative digital advertising tool in raising brand awareness and engagement but also a way to really connect with an evolving and modern audience,” says Gian Abaya, NIDO 3+5+ Brand Manager. “Given that 65% of Rakuten Viber users in the Philippines are women, we want to leverage this unique opportunity to boost engagement with our target market and deepen our connection with them during this highly anticipated celebration, a time when mothers get the spotlight, uplift each other, and also express love to those who raised them.”“Seeing Filipinos’ enthusiastic response to Viber Gems, we seized the opportunity to introduce it to our brand partners as an <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/the-impact-of-visual-content-how-messaging-apps-are-changing-the-way-we-connect/">inventive way to interact</a> with their customers,” shares Karla Banua, Sales Lead, Advertising in APAC at Rakuten Viber. “We’re thrilled to roll out this Branded Viber Gems campaign in collaboration with NIDO 3+5+ and OpenMind for Mother’s Day, a cherished occasion in the country. This partnership allowed us to launch the first Branded Viber Gems campaign in the Philippines and across Asia Pacific. Together, we hope to set new standards for creating immersive digital solutions that enhance positive brand experiences.”&nbsp;The Nido-branded Viber Gems are accessible to users in the Philippines on May 11–15: both on mobile and desktop, matching fun and festive greetings will help celebrate Mother’s Day.Curious about this ground-breaking tool for immersive advertising? <a href="advertisers@forbusiness.viber.com">Get in touch</a> with us to learn more about branded Viber Gems <a href="advertisers@forbusiness.viber.com">advertisers@forbusiness.viber.com</a>

Branded Viber Gems debut in APAC: Nido Mother’s Day campaign in the Philippines on Rakuten Viber

 The superapp and the milk brand make chats more festive for the special occasion

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Rakuten Viber, a global leader in private and secure messaging and voice-based communication and a leading chat app in the Philippines, has partnered with Korean online-to-offline casual mobile commerce company Share Treats to introduce the first-of-its-kind gifting experience in South East Asia with <a href="https://chats.viber.com/sharetreats">Treats on Rakuten Viber</a>. Filipinos can now greet and treat the special people in their lives directly in the Rakuten Viber app, as well as request gifts for any occasion, be it a birthday, a regular fine day, or an upcoming holiday like Mother’s Day.Thanks to their partnership with Rakuten Viber, Share Treats has become the first company to introduce the gifticon technology (a combination of ‘gift’ and ‘icon’) in the Philippines. With this technology, which originated in South Korea, online gift-giving is as easy as sending a message — and comes with a plethora of options to suit every taste and budget.&nbsp;With Treats on Rakuten Viber, users can now send online gift cards to their friends and family: from beloved food chains like Jollibee, Dunkin’, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Auntie Anne’s, The Bistro Group and McDonald’s — to essential staples like the convenience store giant 7-Eleven and trusted pharmacy Mercury Drug. They can also share online gift passes for shopping destinations, such as The SM Store and Lazada, or services, like the FoodPanda food delivery and motorcycle taxi app Angkas. They can even give vouchers for e-wallets such as GCash and Maya or gift codes for GrabGifts.&nbsp;To start giving and getting gifts, users need to subscribe to the Treats on Rakuten Viber chatbot or look for it via the app’s search function. They can also subscribe to the bot simply by clicking "Send Birthday Treat" in the one-to-one chat when they see a birthday notification for a person in their contacts. Once subscribed, users can pick a brand and a specific treat. They can proceed to payment through options like GCash, Maya, and GrabPay. After payment, users can select a Rakuten Viber friend and send the treat! Similarly, to request a treat, users can simply choose a brand, or an item from the brand, and then click ‘Request’ and send it to any contact.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Gifting_experience_with_Share_Treats_on_Rakuten_Viber_501f4e7f6e.png"><figcaption>Gifting experience with Share Treats on Rakuten Viber</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;As Mother's Day approaches, Share Treats and Rakuten Viber provide a way to express love and gratitude to mothers — and a variety of options to make the day truly special. Users can now send heartfelt gifts with just a few taps on their smartphones, seamlessly and regardless of distance. Soon, users will be able to create and see their contacts’ WishLists to make the gifting experience even easier.&nbsp;“It is a significant milestone in digital gifting that allows Filipinos to send greetings with treats, while prioritizing ease of use, security, and efficiency,” says Hong Bae Lee, CEO and President of Share Treats Innovation. “Rakuten Viber already has millions of Filipino users who are relying on this superapp to stay connected with their loved ones. It’s an essential part of everyday conversations. Adding the Share Treats experience to the app allows them to give gifts as easily as sending a message.”“Rakuten Viber is thrilled to partner with Share Treats because it’s part of our goal as a superapp to enrich the overall experience of our users and meet their needs at every touch point,” explains Karla Banua, Sales Lead, Advertising in APAC at Rakuten Viber. “Given the Filipino’s rich gift-giving culture, this partnership with Share Treats allows our users to strengthen connections and express their thoughtfulness in exciting new ways.”&nbsp;&nbsp;About Share Treats&nbsp;The first in the Philippines to introduce the power of Gifticon, <a href="https://www.sharetreats.ph/welcome">Share Treats Innovation Corporation</a> (STIC) allows Filipinos to send casual treats through different platforms. With more than 10,000 Merchant Redemption Centers nationwide, STIC provide its partners diverse content for their e-commerce platforms, loyalty, rewards and engagement Programs. Share Treats has offices across South Korea, the Philippines and Indonesia.&nbsp;&nbsp;About Rakuten Viber<a href="https://www.viber.com/en/">Rakuten Viber</a> connects people. No matter who they are or where they are from. The global user base has access to a range of features like one-on-one chats, video calls, group messaging, and updates and discussions with their favorite brands and celebrities. Rakuten Viber ensures users have a secure and free environment to share their emotions. Rakuten Viber is part of Rakuten Group, Inc., a world leader in e-commerce and financial services.<a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/">For businesses</a>, Rakuten Viber offers rich business messaging solutions (business messages, chatbots), display ads, branded stickers and lenses, and business calling solutions. All these tools help businesses to reach their customers at each stage of the customer journey.All private, group chats and private calls on Viber are protected by built-in end-to-end encryption, and Viber Business Messages have encryption in transit, so users and brands can be sure that their conversations are always secure.

Rakuten Viber and Share Treats join forces to deliver a unique gifting experience in the Philippines

​​Rakuten Viber and Share Treats join forces to deliver a unique gifting experience in the Philippines

The Korean m-commerce company partners with Rakuten Viber to offer easy direct-into-chat gifting 

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<a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/">Rakuten Viber</a>, <a href="https://www.coca-cola.com/gr/el">Coca-Cola Hellas</a>, and <a href="https://www.mindshareworld.com/">Mindshare</a> partner to create media-first advertising formats for a Fanta campaign that spotlights carnival season in Greece. With this initiative, Coca-Cola Hellas becomes the first company in the world to use branded Viber Gems, as well as the first to launch branded Viber Lenses in Greece.The capabilities of branded Viber Lenses and Viber Gems:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;"><a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/rakuten-viber-snap-partnership/">Viber Lenses</a>, powered by Augmented Reality (AR): They enable users to instantly enhance their photos and videos using AR, which fosters interactive engagement. By sharing these augmented moments, users can deepen their connection with brands.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Viber Gems: ‘Gems’ are special animations triggered by specific words and phrases in users' conversations, such as 'Happy Birthday', 'Happy New Year', and similar holiday greetings. Used nearly 7.3 million times each month in Greece, Viber Gems brighten up the chats and draw additional attention to special occasions. This year, for the first time, carnival-related words (Carnival, Masquerade, Clean Monday, Meatfare Thursday, Koulouma, Costume, Dress up, Long weekend) activated a Fanta-branded carnival animation in conversations.</li></ul><figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Branded_Viber_Lenses_and_Viber_Gems_for_the_Fanta_campaign_in_Greece_922b7a443d.png"><figcaption>Branded Viber Lenses and Viber Gems for the Fanta campaign in Greece</figcaption></figure>"We're thrilled about our collaboration with Rakuten Viber on this pioneering “media-first” campaign. Viber Gems and Viber Lenses attracted the Gen Z audience and boosted engagement with Fanta. The implementation of these solutions, for the first time in Greece, represents a significant innovation in digital marketing," stated Maria Fitta, Media Operations Senior Manager MED at Coca-Cola Hellas."Our goal is clear — to empower Greek businesses to innovate and to serve as a global superapp that addresses their local needs,” says Nikos Syrios, Sales Manager, CEE, at Rakuten Viber. “Our collaboration with Coca-Cola Hellas and Mindshare to introduce branded Viber Gems and Viber Lenses for the first time in the country has been a part of this mission, made possible thanks to the company’s trust and dedication to pushing boundaries.”<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/vz5grN5ExUI?si=OuxBZDmrZ3yiHq9o"></oembed></figure>

 Coca-Cola Hellas is pioneering innovative advertising formats with Fanta’s campaign on Rakuten Viber

A unique “Media-first” campaign is led by Fanta on Rakuten Viber

Coca-Cola Hellas is pioneering innovative advertising formats with Fanta’s campaign on Rakuten Viber


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Kyiv, April 10, 2024 — Rakuten Viber appointed Ilya Boshnyakov as the Country Director in Ukraine. He will lead the local team, oversee the adaptation of the new features for the Ukrainian market and diaspora worldwide, and manage partnerships, marketing, and communications in the country. Previously, VP of Global Marketing &amp; Growth Atanas Raykov was responsible for these activities from the office in Sofia, Bulgaria.Atanas Raykov, Rakuten Viber's VP of Global Marketing and Growth, comments on the new appointment: “Ukraine is one of the key countries for Rakuten Viber, and we were looking for a highly reputable leader who understands Ukrainian needs and how our product can best match them. At Rakuten Viber, we are building an extensive ecosystem of seamlessly integrated features and services that allow our users to save time, money, and effort in their key daily tasks. According to this strategy, Ilya will be responsible for local launches of all new products and solutions to ensure that Ukraine sees as many of the latest innovations from Rakuten Viber as possible. We have been meticulously looking for the right person. Now that he is finally on board, we are focused on greatly scaling up our activities."Ilya Boshnyakov shares his impressions of the first weeks in the team: "I have long admired the concept behind Rakuten Viber, which first set the app as the standard for many aspects of daily life and has now built an entire ecosystem of products, content, and services on that foundation. I am excited to join the team and collaborate on solutions that have a tangible positive impact on users, businesses, and the economy as a whole."Previously, Ilya led the technology media outlet AIN.UA for 8 years. In the last 3 years, he launched AIN.Capital, AIN.Business, and Recruitika. Before his media career, Ilya managed recruiting and HR for a group of British technology companies covering FinTech, GameDev, MarTech, and other industries.&nbsp;

Rakuten Viber reinforces its commitment to Ukraine by appointing its first Country Director

Rakuten Viber has appointed Ilya Boshnyakov as Country Director in Ukraine

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In recent years, with the advent of smartphones and the widespread availability of mobile internet, the way we live, communicate, and shop has completely transformed. Gone are the days when making a purchase required a visit to a physical store or spending countless hours navigating complex websites. With just a tap of a finger, we can now order goods and services from anywhere in the world, all from the convenience of our mobile devices.Conversational commerce takes this convenience to a whole new level by enabling businesses and customers to engage in real-time conversations through messaging platforms. It allows for seamless, interactive communication, transforming transactions into conversations and creating a more engaging and satisfying customer experience.<a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/what-are-viber-business-messages/">Viber Rich Business Messaging</a>, which consists of <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/business-messages/">Viber Business Messages</a> and <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/chatbots/">Viber Chatbots</a>, is at the forefront of this conversational commerce revolution. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, businesses can now connect with their customers on a deeper level, providing personalized recommendations, answering queries, sending booking confirmations or transactional details, and even completing transactions within the chat interface.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Conversational Commerce: Enhancing Customer Experience Through Personalization and Convenience</h2><a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/what-is-conversational-commerce/">Conversational commerce</a> is a significant shift in modern business interactions, as it enables companies to engage customers in natural and meaningful two-way exchanges. This approach refers to the use of messaging apps, chatbots, voice assistants, and other conversational interfaces to facilitate sales and customer service.&nbsp;One of the key advantages of c-commerce is the ability to provide personalized experiences. By leveraging data and AI-driven technologies, companies can tailor their interactions to individual customers, taking into account their preferences, pain points, purchase history, and even their current context. This level of personalization creates a sense of being understood and valued, which can lead to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.Another benefit of c-commerce is the convenience it offers to customers. With <a href="https://cxm.co.uk/webexs-guide-to-conversational-messaging-can-enhance-brand-interaction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">messaging apps being a preferred method of communication for many people</a>, they can easily engage with businesses at any time and from anywhere. Whether it's seeking product recommendations, getting real-time support, or making a purchase, customers can do so effortlessly through a conversation. Plus, conversational commerce eliminates the need to switch between different platforms or websites, improving accessibility for customers.Furthermore, it allows for interactive and engaging experiences. Through chatbots and voice assistants, brands can guide customers through the buying process, provide product information, and even offer personalized recommendations. This interactive nature adds an element of fun and excitement to the buyer’s journey, making it more memorable and enjoyable.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Viber Business Messages: Seamless Conversations, Unforgettable Experiences</h2><a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/viber-business-messages-essentials-for-brand-growth/">Viber Business Messages</a> empowers brands to have real-time, personalized conversations with their customers, unlocking new levels of customer engagement and satisfaction. With its impressive features and capabilities, this platform is a game-changer in the world of customer communication.&nbsp;<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Customized and individualized conversations: Viber Business Messages allows businesses to tailor their communication to ensure an experience that resonates with the customer. Be it a query, support request, or promotional message.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Instant messaging for smooth interactions: Businesses can have instant communication with their customers, just like having a conversation with a friend. This enables frictionless back-and-forth interactions, fostering trust and reliability between the brand and the consumer. Whether it's resolving a customer's concern or offering real-time support, this platform empowers you to be there for your customers when they need you the most.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Showcase creativity and brand personality: Brands can incorporate emojis, files, pictures, and even videos into their messages, adding a touch of visual appeal to their conversations.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Use interactive buttons to drive engagement and conversions: Businesses can use interactive buttons, such as call-to-action buttons, to guide customers toward specific actions or promotions. This not only enhances the user experience but also drives increased engagement and conversions.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Easy conversation management with reply and pin features: Users can reply to specific messages, allowing for easy context within the conversation. Messages can also be pinned for quick reference.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Effortless sharing and accessing of information: Users can copy codes, emails, and links directly from the message, making sharing and accessing information a breeze.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Visual communication through photos and videos: Customers can send photos and videos to the brand, enabling them to share visuals that give additional context or support their inquiries. This rich media integration allows for a more immersive and comprehensive customer experience.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Send messages up to 1000 characters for comprehensive communication: Businesses can effectively convey their message with Viber Business Messages, providing all the necessary details in a concise yet comprehensive manner. This eliminates the need for multiple exchanges and ensures that customers have access to the information they need without any hassle.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Auto-reply messages for added convenience: With this feature you can automatically respond to customer inquiries, even outside of regular business hours, ensuring that no message goes unanswered.&nbsp;</li></ul>With Viber Business Messages, your brand can <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/faster-customer-service-and-lower-costs-how-viber-business-messages-make-it-happen/">elevate customer experiences</a> by integrating interactive messaging, multimedia content, and efficient customer support. By providing a convenient and engaging communication platform, you can strengthen brand loyalty and drive business growth.<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Tailoring Experiences for Success: The Benefits of Personalization</h3>Tailoring messages and offers to individual customers is key to building strong relationships and driving loyalty.Studies show that customers expect personalized interactions from businesses. In fact, <a href="https://www.slideshare.net/EpsilonMktg/the-power-of-me-the-impact-of-personalization-on-marketing-performance#1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">80%</a> of consumers are more inclined to buy from companies that provide tailored experiences, while <a href="https://c.smarterhq.com/resources/Privacy-Personalization-Report.pdf?mtime=20200616175059&amp;focal=none" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">72%</a> indicate that they will only interact with brands that provide personalized messaging. By delivering <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/ua/blog/post/the-benefits-of-personalization-how-tailoring-content-to-your-audience-can-improve-engagement-and-conversions/">customized content</a>, businesses can not only meet customer expectations but also increase engagement and conversions.Viber Business Messages equip brands with the tools they need to create and send personalized messages to their customers. By leveraging customer data and insights, businesses can send tailored messages and offers. For example, new customers can receive personalized onboarding messages, offering special discounts or free samples to help them get acquainted with products or services.&nbsp;Additionally, Viber Business Messages allows businesses to send automated reminders, personalized recommendations, and exclusive offers based on customer behavior and purchase history. This level of customization creates a personalized journey for each client, increasing their satisfaction and loyalty to the brand.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">The benefits of personalized recommendations and targeted marketing campaigns</h4>1. Enhanced Customer Experience: Personalized recommendations create a meaningful and relevant customer experience, boosting loyalty and engagement.2. Increased Sales: When a client feels understood and valued, the chances of making a purchase skyrocket. Individualized recommendations tap into the customer's preferences and buying behaviors, enabling you to provide offers that are almost impossible to resist.&nbsp;3. Cost-Effectiveness: Tailoring messages maximizes the impact of your marketing budget, ensuring each dollar spent delivers the desired results. Moreover, with Viber Business Messages brands pay for delivered messages only.4. Improved Customer Retention: By consistently providing relevant offers and recommendations, you foster loyalty, encouraging customers to return for future purchases.5. Data-Driven Insights: Personalized recommendations and targeted marketing campaigns generate a wealth of data. By analyzing this data, you can gain valuable insights into customer behaviors and trends, informing future marketing strategies.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Convenience at Every Step: Viber Business Messages and the Streamlined Transactions</h2>Rakuten Viber Business Messages cater to a wide range of business needs:&nbsp;Send <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/enhancing-customer-experience-in-transportation-logistics-with-viber-business-messages/">order confirmations</a> with attached receipts directly to your customers, providing them with all the necessary information at once. Keep your customers informed about the status of their orders with a tracking link, ensuring transparency and satisfaction.Want to authenticate registrations? Deliver <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/enhancing-security-efficiency-revolutionizing-banking-communications-through-viber-business-messages/">one-time passwords</a> (OTPs) through Rakuten Viber, simplifying the login process for your users and enhancing security.Running low on stock? Send personalized triggers to encourage repeat purchases, offering discounts or promotions on frequently ordered items.Don't miss out on appointments or meetings. Viber allows you to <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/viber-business-messages-for-thepharmaceutical-industry/">send reminders</a> to ensure your customers never forget important engagements.Showcase your products directly within the messaging platform: You can provide visually rich product photos or videos, detailed descriptions, and even consumer reviews. This not only enhances the customer experience but also increases the likelihood of <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/why-your-e-commerce-strategy-needs-rakuten-viber-a-path-to-success/">making a purchase</a> right then and there.Supply customers with real-time product information. Whether it's the latest stock availability, pricing updates, or limited-time promotions, you can keep your customers informed and engaged.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Viber_Rich_Business_Messaging_solutions_for_streamlined_customer_interactions_94d6c60614.png"><figcaption>Viber Rich Business Messaging solutions for streamlined customer interactions</figcaption></figure><h2 style="text-align:justify;">Chatbots to Virtual Assistants: The Evolution of Conversational Commerce</h2>Viber <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/the-evolution-of-chatbots/">Chatbots</a> are a great rich business messaging tool that allows brands to provide automated around-the-clock support and sales assistance. Brands can customize their chatbots with interactive buttons, send personalized notifications to customers, and engage them with photos, emojis, and GIFs. They can also showcase products with carousels and lead customers to complete transactions directly in the bot. With the ability to showcase products, provide real-time information, and facilitate seamless purchases, Viber Chatbots eliminate the need for customers to jump through hoops while navigating multiple websites or filling out lengthy formsThe future of chatbots in conversational commerce is promising, thanks to advancements in technologies like artificial intelligence and natural language processing (NLP). These technologies empower businesses to create even more advanced and intelligent chatbot systems that can understand and respond to customer queries with greater accuracy and efficiency.Furthermore, AI and NLP technologies enable chatbots to learn and improve over time. With every interaction, chatbots can gather valuable insights and data, allowing businesses to refine their marketing strategies, improve customer service, and enhance the overall user experience.&nbsp;In addition to AI and NLP, other advancements include the integration of voice commands and virtual assistants. Voice technology is becoming increasingly popular, with devices like smart speakers and virtual assistants becoming commonplace in households. Customers will be able to make purchases, order products, and access customer support services using voice commands, making shopping even more convenient and hands-free.Conversational commerce will seamlessly integrate across various channels, including websites, mobile apps, social media platforms, and messaging apps. Customers will enjoy a consistent experience, regardless of the channel they choose to interact with the brand, resulting in a frictionless purchasing process.Conversational commerce is here to stay, and companies that embrace it will gain a significant competitive advantage in the future. By leveraging AI, integrating with popular platforms, and providing personalized, context-aware communication, businesses can create engaging customer experiences, drive sales, and build long-lasting relationships.&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Empowering Businesses, Enchanting Customers</h2>As the world of conversational commerce continues to evolve, Viber Rich Business Messaging remains at the forefront of the customer experience transformation. By providing a perfect solution for personalized interactions, it empowers businesses to meet the evolving demands of today's consumers. With its ability to enhance the customer experience and foster loyalty, this tool is revolutionizing the way brands connect with their clientele. Stay ahead of the curve and embrace the power of Viber Rich Business Messaging to <a href="https://b2b.viber.com/viber-for-business-form">transform your customer experience</a>.

Discover the power of Viber Rich Business Messaging for the elevated customer experience 

The Rise of Conversational Commerce: How Viber Rich Business Messaging is Transforming the Customer Experience

Discover the power of Viber Rich Business Messaging for the elevated customer experience

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Athens, Greece – February 13, 2024 – Rakuten Viber, one of the leading global communication companies and a pioneer in Greece, is proud to announce the upcoming launch of a cutting-edge incentive program tailored for advertising agencies in Greece. This dynamic initiative reflects the company's commitment to fostering mutually beneficial collaborations within the Greek market, assisting advertising agencies in their growth through enhanced education and new tools, thereby building stronger relationships with their clients.With the Partner Excellence Program, Rakuten Viber underscores its dedication to cultivating relationships with advertising agencies in Greece. Ready to reveal the program, Rakuten Viber sees Greece taking the lead as the inaugural market in its global rollout. This marks a significant milestone, underlining once again the strategic importance of the Greek market for Rakuten Viber.The elements of this program aim to fortify agencies and their clients to reach new heights. By opting to become official partners through the Rakuten Viber Partner Excellence Program, advertising agencies not only elevate their recognition and prestige but also gain exclusive tools that empower them to deliver distinctive services, reinforcing and enriching their collaborative endeavors.The program will have three different tiers—Partner, Gold Partner, and Platinum Partner—to access exclusive privileges, such as:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Recognition: public acknowledgment as official partners.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Education and training: access to specialized educational resources and training programs.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Priority access to new products: early access to new products or features, providing a competitive advantage.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Premium support: availability of premium support services for the highest level of assistance.</li></ul>With the Rakuten Viber Partners Excellence program, advertising agencies demonstrate their commitment to best practices in Viber's products, and each level's certification serves as a testament to the reliability by Rakuten Viber.&nbsp;To learn more information about the program's benefits for advertising agencies, please visit the <a href="https://stage.forbusiness.viber.com/partner-excellence-program/">landing page</a>.“We always strive to innovate in our industry, offering exceptional added value to our core services and more functionalities. Our mission with this program is clear: to be your steadfast partner in the advertising market's journey toward unparalleled success," stated Cristina Constandache, Chief Revenue Officer of Rakuten Viber. “We tailored the Rakuten Viber Excellence Program to be a reliable companion, offering new advantages that enable companies and advertisers to chart new paths to success. I am genuinely excited about the incredible journey we are about to embark on and look forward to celebrating new successes for your company through our collaboration”.

Rakuten Viber announces dynamic partner program to maximize advertising effectiveness

Starting with Greece: Rakuten Viber launches Partner Excellence Program for advertising companies

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Athens, Greece – January 25, 2024 – On January 24, Rakuten Viber, the global leader in private and secure messaging and voice-based communication, held its first exclusive business event in Greece in seven years. The event took place at the stunning Lighthouse at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens, with a focus on exploring innovative solutions addressing contemporary business challenges. The focal point of the event was Viber for Business, an ecosystem of solutions for all business needs, powered by the well-known Rakuten Viber app.Led by Rakuten Viber's senior executive team, including CEO Ofir Eyal on his first visit to Greece since taking the role, and Chief Revenue Officer Cristina Constandache, the event drew in top industry experts and leading brands in Greece. Ofir Eyal referred to Greece as a flagship market for many Rakuten Viber updates and emphasized the country's pivotal role in the company's superapp development.&nbsp;"Greece is one of the biggest stars of Europe, seamlessly blending its heritage and culture with technology and progress. Watching how Greeks preserve their rich history while embracing innovation is truly inspiring," says Ofir Eyal, CEO at Rakuten Viber. "We are honored to be a part of your digital transformation journey, helping local businesses change, grow, and innovate."<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Ofir_Eyal_CEO_at_Rakuten_Viber_d893313537.jpg"><figcaption>Ofir Eyal, CEO at Rakuten Viber</figcaption></figure>This was followed by the honorable commencement delivered by Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou. He emphasized the importance of empowering digital transformation to make Greece even more outward-looking, brighter, and digital. In addition, a separate reference was made to the digital assistant mAIgov, the first Artificial Intelligence application for the Greek public sector. It further facilitates the daily lives of citizens and businesses, simplifying and accelerating their interaction with the state.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Dimitris_Papastergiou_Minister_of_Digital_Governance_87c90ac9d4.jpg"><figcaption>Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance</figcaption></figure>Delving into the latest digital trends and future predictions, Rakuten Viber’s Chief Revenue Officer, Cristina Constandache, highlighted the key factors businesses need to be aware of today for future success. Notable trends include direct-to-consumer marketing, two-way brand-user interaction, and a reduced number of MarTech tools used by brands. Cristina noted that brands might soon be seeking a single platform to address their needs, and superapps are expected to continue their emergence in Europe, following significant success in Asia with examples such as WeChat, Line, and Grab.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Cristina_Constandache_Chief_Revenue_Officer_at_Rakuten_Viber_c1ce5f6bf5.jpg"><figcaption>Cristina Constandache, Chief Revenue Officer at Rakuten Viber</figcaption></figure>Rakuten Viber’s Noa Bar Shay, Sr. Director, Partnerships &amp; Sales, and Konstantin Kostadinov, Sr. Sales Director CEE &amp; CIS, presented how brands can use Viber for Business solutions as a superapp ecosystem for their various business needs: building brand awareness, boosting sales, increasing ROI, enhancing customer experience and building loyalty and more.&nbsp;They noted that the top-5 industries using Viber for Business today in Greece include: retail &amp; ecommerce (43%), finance &amp; insurance (14%), health &amp; wellness (11%), FMCG (10%), IT &amp; telecom (7%), closely followed by hospitality.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Noa_Bar_Shay_Konstantin_Kostadinov_Rakuten_Viber_f09832c566.jpg"><figcaption>Rakuten Viber’s Noa Bar Shay, Sr. Director, Partnerships &amp; Sales, and Konstantin Kostadinov, Sr. Sales Director CEE &amp; CIS</figcaption></figure>Leading industry experts and top brands in Greece shared their insights on digital transformation and trends. Expert insights included a fireside chat and a panel discussion on how brands should navigate the current digital landscape and what they should consider when building digital strategies.&nbsp;Rakuten Viber’s team offered a glimpse of a few upcoming releases that Greek brands can expect in the future. These include a click-to-message ad that allows brands to convert leads to customers in a few steps, a brand-new solution for one-time passwords, enhanced security for brand-user interactions, and an opportunity for users to make free calls to brands, recently launched worldwide."All of these updates are part of our superapp strategy, which involves building an ecosystem of solutions for businesses of all sizes to address their needs," says Cristina Constandache, Chief Revenue Officer at Rakuten Viber. "Our goal is clear – to empower Greek businesses to innovate and to serve as a global superapp that addresses their local needs."Following the presentations, attendees enjoyed a networking soirée and a special performance by the exceptional Thodoris Marantinis, singer of the band Onirama.Watch the key highlights from the dynamic Viber for Business event in Greece in this <a href="https://youtu.be/Z_Ku0YlgMK0?si=pjXubnj-ONVyHoTc">video recap</a>.<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/Z_Ku0YlgMK0?si=o4Dp9A-6e85c5WFp"></oembed></figure>

Rakuten Viber boosts digital transformation of Greek brands at Athens event

Shaping the future: Viber for Business exclusive event in Greece

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<a href="https://www.viber.com/">Rakuten Viber</a>, the global leader in private and secure messaging and voice-based communication, announces the global launch of Business Calls, a solution designed to enhance communication between businesses and their customers on the app. Brands can establish a new communication channel, letting customers make free international calls to their landline numbers directly through Rakuten Viber—a unique service in the messaging app industry.&nbsp;The new offering is particularly valuable for businesses that rely on call centers. In-app calls can serve various purposes, such as assisting with product inquiries, order tracking, and post-sales support in the retail and delivery sector. Banks can address account inquiries, schedule appointments, manage transactions, and offer financial advice and support, while pharmacies can assist with prescription refills, share branch schedules, and provide consultations on allergic reactions and side effects. Rakuten Viber brings a powerful tool to businesses across various industries to effectively address customer queries in a convenient place, ultimately enhancing the customer experience.&nbsp;Surveys indicate that <a href="https://www.liveperson.com/resources/reports/2021-conversational-commerce/">91% of consumers</a> prefer brands that offer the option to either call or message.&nbsp; Viber Business Calls enhances the current communication suite of Viber for Business Solutions and complements the existing business messaging solution, which has facilitated connections between customers and brands. With the introduction of Business Calls, Rakuten Viber offers users the freedom to choose their preferred method of communication with a brand, whether through calling or messaging.&nbsp;The in-app call option allows users to make calls seamlessly within the same app, eliminating the need to switch applications. This boosts conversions for brands, facilitates immediate query resolution, mitigates customer frustration that can result in negative feedback and reputation damage, and opens up opportunities for upselling and cross-selling products during conversations.Early adopters have the opportunity to create searchable business accounts with an embedded Viber Business Call button or add the solution to their existing accounts in the app, allowing customers to easily find and call the service. Users can also initiate a call directly from a chat with a business, for example, reaching out to a delivery service to reschedule a parcel delivery after receiving a notification. Brands can include a Rakuten Viber call link on their websites, making it even more convenient for customers to get in touch with them.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Using_Viber_Business_Calls_to_contact_brand_0edb2b9b20.png"><figcaption>User contacting a brand directly from a chat via Viber Business Calls</figcaption></figure>All business calls will be free for customers, regardless of their location. This is particularly beneficial for serving customers calling from abroad, such as a foreign traveler seeking information about their booking or a local bank client experiencing issues with their credit card overseas. It allows to improve global brand accessibility, elevate crisis management, and gain a competitive advantage by providing free support calls for customers anywhere. Businesses can choose to either designate a specific number for Rakuten Viber or continue using their regular call center number.&nbsp;"Rakuten Viber was the first messaging app to offer business messaging nine years ago, revolutionizing the way businesses communicate with their customers. Since then, we have developed a robust business messaging ecosystem and are now taking a significant step forward by introducing in-app Business Calls, a distinctive offering in the market,” says Cristina Constandache, Chief Revenue Officer at Rakuten Viber. "Being a superapp means providing our users with as many value-added services as possible throughout their day and offering brands more opportunities to engage with their customers. This update marks our next step in advancing our global superapp strategy."Viber Business Calls are now available for integration globally. To use the solution, brands can inquire with the <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/messaging-partners/">official partners of Rakuten Viber</a> whether they already support Business Calls or <a href="mailto:calls@forbusiness.viber.com">contact the Rakuten Viber team</a> and learn how to get started.To discover more about Viber Business Calls, visit <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/business-calls.pdf">this page</a>.&nbsp;

Rakuten Viber launches a unique business tool, serving as an in-app call center 

Rakuten Viber expands its portfolio for brand-user interaction with Business Calls 

Rakuten Viber launches a unique business tool, serving as an in-app call center 


Rakuten Viber expands its portfolio for brand-user interaction with Business Calls

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Rakuten Group, Inc., a leading technology conglomerate and owner of Rakuten Viber, Ukraine’s most widely adopted messaging and communications app, today announced that the Group has established an office in the heart of the country’s capital city, Kyiv, and plans to join Ukraine’s “Diia City” initiative to grow the country’s IT sector. The new Rakuten office opened its doors earlier today.Three of Rakuten’s businesses – Rakuten Viber, Rakuten Advertising, and Rakuten Rewards – currently have software development and digital marketing operations concentrated in Kyiv and Odesa. The new Kyiv office will enable local contributors to work together to bring valuable technology products and services to users around the world, further cementing Ukraine’s reputation as an IT innovation hub. Rakuten’s commitment comes after Chairman and CEO Mickey Mikitani recently accompanied Japanese government officials on a diplomatic mission to Ukraine in September 2023. Serving as a representative of Japan’s private sector, Mikitani met with Ukraine leaders including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister for Innovation, Development of Education, Science and Technology and Minister of Digital Transformation. Rakuten has provided consistent support to Ukraine throughout the war and demonstrated a commitment to its people, economy and post-war reconstruction. Among other actions,&nbsp;<a href="https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/press/2023/0802_02.html">Rakuten signed a memorandum of understanding with VEON Ltd.</a>&nbsp;(NASDAQ: VEON, Euronext Amsterdam: VEON) to collaborate on the reconstruction of the country’s infrastructure through open radio access networks (Open RAN) and digital services. Additionally, Rakuten launched the&nbsp;<a href="https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/update/2022/0228_02.html">Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Emergency Relief Fund</a>&nbsp;through its online donation platform, Rakuten Clutch&nbsp;Special Charity Fund, and held a&nbsp;<a href="https://global.rakuten.com/corp/news/update/2022/0311_01.html">t-shirt donation drive to support Ukraine</a>&nbsp;that raised more than 1.3 billion yen*.&nbsp; Mikitani has also shown strong personal support for Ukraine on multiple occasions. At the war’s onset, he made a personal donation of 1 billion yen to the Ukrainian government for humanitarian aid. Last winter, he supported the donation and delivery of 500&nbsp;power generators to Ukrainian citizens through the Samurai Donation Project. In recognition of his efforts and those of Rakuten Group, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Japan recently awarded Mikitani with the national Order of Merit for distinguished service*. Rakuten's plans for its Kyiv location include additional hiring in the technology sector and appointment of a country manager to oversee local operations. One of these is expected to be the launch in Ukraine of Rakuten Viber’s digital wallet service, following its successful introduction in several European countries. This service will provide Viber users in Ukraine, where its app is installed on 98% of mobile phones, with enhanced financial accessibility, including the ability to send money in and out of the country through secure instant messaging transactions. *1. Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Emergency Relief Fund: Approximately 1.29 billion yen&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Charity T-shirt donation drive for Ukraine: Approximately 51 million yen Both fundraising events ended June 30, 2022. *2. Ukraine Order of Merit (Distinguished service), third class.

Rakuten Viber now has an office in Kyiv, Ukraine,  along with Rakuten Advertising and Rakuten Rewards

Rakuten Expands Commitment to Ukraine with New Office in Kyiv

Rakuten Viber now has an office in Kyiv, Ukraine,  along with Rakuten Advertising and Rakuten Rewards


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Review key mobile messaging marketing trends in 2023 and how Rakuten Viber makes the most of them

2023 Recap: Top Mobile Messaging Marketing Trends

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Rakuten Viber has recently celebrated its 13th birthday and today it is one of the leading global messaging apps with users in more than 190 countries around the world. It allows people to connect via voice and video calls, private and group text messaging, media sharing, and much more. But it's not just a tool for personal communication, it's also a dynamic platform to connect with customers and solve business goals, providing solutions such as <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/viber-solutions-for-brands-business-messages-chatbots-ads-lenses-stickers-and-business-inbox-feature/">Viber Ads and Viber Business Messages</a>. Introduced years ago as the first business tools on the app, they now help more than 20,000 brands all over the world to reach wider audiences, enhance brand visibility, and boost sales. Let’s see how these solutions that once have shaken the traditional marketing landscape can benefit your brand today.&nbsp;<h2>Redefining Advertising Strategies with Viber Ads</h2>The importance of digital campaigns in today's competitive market cannot be overstated. As the world becomes increasingly connected, businesses must adapt their strategies to reach customers where they are most active – online. Digital ads have been proven to enhance brand awareness by a staggering <a href="https://techjury.net/blog/ppc-stats/#gref" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">80%</a>, making them a vital tool in any marketer's arsenal. They also have a considerable influence on online behavior, with the likelihood of consumers searching for brand-specific terms increasing by <a href="https://techjury.net/blog/ppc-stats/#gref" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">155%</a> after being exposed to display ads. This heightened interest can directly translate into sales, as customers are <a href="https://techjury.net/blog/ppc-stats/#gref" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">70%</a> more likely to purchase via a retargeting ad. With these impressive statistics, it's clear that digital advertising is not just a trend but a necessity for companies aiming to thrive in the digital age.<a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/marketing-solutions/">Viber Ads</a> offer businesses an opportunity to increase <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/maximizing-the-power-of-viber-advertising-solutions-for-building-brand-awareness/">brand awareness</a> and bring more customers, thus driving both online and in-store sales. It allows companies to showcase their advertising where people spend the majority of their time – on a chat app – while placing it natively within the interface. These ads can target the audience based on their interests and demographics, making it easier to attract their attention. It helps brands to stay on top of minds of their potential customers, increasing the chances of turning them into buyers, whether they choose to purchase online or in the store. Moreover, brands can get analytics about the performance of their ads to further strengthen their campaigns and optimize their strategies for maximum impact.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Examples_of_Ads_on_Rakuten_Viber_2d58dafbc5.png"><figcaption>Examples of different ad placements on Rakuten Viber</figcaption></figure>For online sales, Viber Ads can drive traffic directly to an e-commerce website or a specific product page. Potential customers can be redirected to the store website by clicking on the link inside the ad, thereby facilitating an immediate purchase. This can be particularly effective during the sales season or in combination with special promotions and discounts that incentivize potential consumers to buy online. Soon, Viber Ads will also allow brands to lead customers to a specific product or selection of products within the app.&nbsp;For in-store sales, Rakuten Viber Ads can be used to promote events, new product releases, or deals available only at physical locations. Geolocation features can target Rakuten Viber users in a specific area, making the ads highly relevant and timely. This can drive foot traffic to physical shops, enhancing the opportunity for in-store sales.In a time where competition is rife and businesses are looking for effective methods to stand out, Viber Ads offer a great solution. It allows companies to reach out to their customers in a way impossible with <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/rakuten-viber-ads-vs-traditional-advertising-efficiency-and-scale/">traditional advertising</a> channels. They can help businesses build strong relationships with their clients and drive revenue, both online and in-store.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Use_Rakuten_Viber_Ads_for_targeted_campaigns_a1a375253f.png"><figcaption>Targeted Viber Ads campaigns&nbsp;</figcaption></figure><h2>Unlocking Customer Engagement: The Impact of Viber Business Messages</h2><a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/business-messages/">Viber Business Messages</a> is a powerful tool to engage clients in a more personalized and interactive manner. It allows companies to send alerts, promotional messages, and service notifications directly to their customers' Rakuten Viber app. Moreover, consumers can reply or send questions, facilitating two-way communication. Businesses can also share images, videos, buttons, URLs, and various types of files in the messages, making them more engaging and informative. It's all about enhancing customer experience and building stronger relationships while simultaneously bringing more opportunities to drive sales.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Rich_media_Viber_Business_Messages_1b03ab62ee.png"><figcaption>Examples of rich-media Viber Business Messages</figcaption></figure>The many <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/viber-for-business-how-to-increase-engagement-and-drive-sales/">benefits of Viber Business Messages</a> include:• Broad User Base: Rakuten Viber boasts over 1 billion Android downloads, making it a widely-used messaging app globally. This assures businesses that clients from their customer base are already on the app and can be effectively reached there.&nbsp;• Direct and Instant Communication: Viber Business Messages allow brands to communicate directly with their customers in real-time. This direct and instant communication enables brands to provide immediate support, answer questions, and resolve issues efficiently.• Enhanced User Satisfaction: Businesses can integrate their CDP or CRM system with Viber Business Messages to send targeted messages to their clients, thereby increasing loyalty and enhancing client satisfaction. It ensures that every interaction is relevant to the audience.• Improved Conversion Rates: Brands can send promotional offers, assist with purchases, send updates on the delivery, and collect feedback through a single chat. This helps customers to get all essential information in one place, prevents platform-switching that can lead to shopping fatigue, and thereby increases conversion rates.• Detailed Analytics: Rakuten Viber provides analytics of your marketing campaigns, including seen and click-through rates. This allows companies to monitor their success and optimize for better results.&nbsp;• Cost Efficiency: With Rakuten Viber, businesses can benefit from pricing strategies that maximize their ROI. For example, when sending Business Messages, brands only pay for messages that are delivered, ensuring that the campaign budget is allocated to customers who have received the messages.&nbsp;<h2>Leveraging Viber Business Messages for Retail Success</h2>Viber Business Messages offer plenty of opportunities for businesses to establish a stronger bond with their customers, boost sales, and drive revenue.1. Personalized Promotions: Utilize Rakuten Viber to send consumers <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/how-to-effectively-engage-your-audience-on-viber-without-overwhelming-them/">customized promotional messages</a> or discounts based on their purchase history and preferences. Making them unique and relevant to each client increases their likelihood of purchase.2. Sales Event Updates: Keep your customers informed about new product releases, exclusive launches, or upcoming sales. This creates anticipation and increases the chance of clients visiting your online or physical store.&nbsp;3. Customer Service: Viber Business Messages can be an effective <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/faster-customer-service-and-lower-costs-how-viber-business-messages-make-it-happen/">customer service</a> tool. Prompt resolution of consumer inquiries or issues not only improves client satisfaction but also fosters a positive relationship with the consumer, encouraging them to frequent the store.4. Product Recommendations: Based on customer purchase history, recommend products they might be interested in. Such personalized suggestions can act as a catalyst for additional purchases.5. Loyalty Programs: Use Rakuten Viber to update customers about their loyalty program status, reward points, and exclusive member-only offers. This not only gives customers a sense of exclusivity but also incentivizes them to make more purchases to earn more bonuses.6. Feedback Requests: Ask customers for feedback on their shopping experience or on products they've bought. This not only provides valuable insights for the company but also makes customers feel valued and heard, which can encourage repeat purchases.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Examples_of_business_messaging_on_Rakuten_Viber_8a6bc1b084.png"><figcaption>Using Viber Business Messages in retail&nbsp;</figcaption></figure><h2>A New Era of In-Store Sales: The Potential of Viber Ads and Viber Business Messages&nbsp;</h2>Using Viber Ads and Viber Business Messages can help you enhance your in-store sales. Here's how:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Boosted Brand Awareness: Using Viber Ads can boost your brand awareness among customers. Increased recognition can lead to more in-store visits and, therefore, more revenue.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">In-Store Experiences: Promote unique experiences, such as expert consultations or live demonstrations, via Viber Business Messages or Viber Ads. These events can attract customers to your physical location.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Cross-promotion: Collaborate with other local companies to offer joint promotions that can be redeemed in-store. Spread the word about these deals via Viber Business Messages.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">In-store Pickup: Promote 'buy online, pick up in-store' services through Viber Ads and Viber Business Messages. This can increase visits to your store and potentially lead to additional purchases.</li></ul><h2>Increase Your Sales Footprint with Viber for Business</h2>Viber Ads and Viber Business Messages were the first solutions that helped businesses interact with audiences on Rakuten Viber. With Viber Business Messages, businesses can engage with their customers personally and directly communicate promotions, updates, and essential information. This not only enhances the customer experience but also drives sales and fosters brand loyalty. Viber Ads provide an effective way for businesses to advertise their products or services. With its targeting capabilities, brands can ensure that their ads reach the right audience, resulting in higher brand awareness and helping to drive sales. Moreover, businesses have access to analytics and valuable insights into campaign performance, enabling them to optimize their strategies and maximize their return on investment.&nbsp;If you’d like to learn how Viber for Business solutions can help your brand achieve your goals, don’t hesitate to <a href="https://b2b.viber.com/viber-for-business-form">reach out to us</a>.&nbsp;

Discover how Viber Ads and Viber Business Messages can help you boost your online and in-store sales

Maximizing Sales: The Power of Viber Ads and Viber Business Messages

Discover how Viber Ads and Viber Business Messages can help you boost your online and in-store sales 

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The Mobile Ecosystem Forum events are always a great source of learning and inspiration for professionals in the industry, and one of the most productive ways to get insights from fellow participants is — through open conversations. At <a href="https://mobileecosystemforum.com/event/mef-connects-omnichannel/">MEF CONNECTS Omnichannel 2023</a>, our Chief Revenue Officer, Cristina Constandache, and Head of Carrier Relations, Messaging, Ritu Taneja, took part in two excellent discussions, alongside industry experts:<ul><li>Catalin Badea, VP Product Management at netnumber Global Data Services</li><li>Ron Bonnici, VP Pre-Sales &amp; Product Management at HAUD</li><li>Silvija Renusa, Senior Product Partnership Manager at Infobip</li><li>Paul Louden, Regional Director UK &amp; Ireland at Sinch</li><li>Moderated by James Williams, MEF Director of Programmes</li></ul>Here are some key takeaways from these sessions.Connecting the Dots: New and Old in the OmnichannelA lot of modern conversations about traditional channels such as SMS and the “new-comers” (having been in the messaging business for over a decade, we use the term loosely) such as OTT messaging apps — focus on comparing the two, as competition. However, the simple truth is that, when it comes to omnichannel strategies, businesses should not choose one channel, but rather look for the most effective ways to use them in synergy. So, for most enterprises, it’s not a question of whether to pick SMS or a messaging app, so much as a quest to optimize their communication via both: to be most effective, to engage their customers better, and to save costs.&nbsp;As Cristina Constandache put it, OTT messaging doesn’t have to be an alternative to SMS when they can instead <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/mef-the-changing-dynamics-in-business-messaging/">work together</a>. One example from Rakuten Viber’s own practice is the SMS Fallback feature that allows our clients to automatically deliver via SMS those messages that couldn’t be delivered via Rakuten Viber (for example, if the intended recipient is not connected to the Internet). This is just one example, showing how intelligent communication strategies that use SMS and Rakuten Viber in tandem can create a better experience for the brands’ customers.Driving Omnichannel Adoption: the ChallengesBusinesses are certainly seeing value in many individual channels, and, as Paul Louden astutely pointed out, there’s an appetite for omnichannel. But there are two challenges enterprises face here: one, building a cohesive omnichannel strategy where channels work optimally and supplement each other without duplicating information and cluttering the brand-user communication. And two — integrating it all smoothly, which is where companies like Infobip and Sinch come in to save the day, that is to make implementation and use of the omnichannel strategy easier and more seamless for the brands.Another challenge is how fast <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/navigating-the-digital-transformation-trends-shaping-the-future-of-messaging-and-connectivity/">digital transformation</a> impacts communication tools. Although the pace of technological progress can hardly be viewed as a bad thing, it leaves many enterprises struggling to keep up with the ever-shifting landscape of digital communication. As a result, many companies may be underestimating the potential of some tools, such as rich messaging, or, even if interested, lack the understanding to implement them effectively. So, education of business clients is another major goal that Rakuten Viber shares with our messaging partners. Ultimately, the <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/the-types-and-advantages-of-viber-business-messages/">advantages of rich business messaging</a> — such as the personalization capabilities, the inherent two-way nature, and the versatility of applications — speak for themselves and drive adoption.Transcending Boundaries: Use Cases for Rich Business MessagingOne important driver of digital transformation is the abundance of use cases that benefit from an optimized messaging strategy. Communication channels are applied by different departments, for different goals across each enterprise: from providing effective customer support in a channel where customers already spend their time — to sending promotions and other marketing messages or driving sales directly.&nbsp;Even <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/enhancing-security-efficiency-revolutionizing-banking-communications-through-viber-business-messages/">security can be empowered</a> by messaging: as Ritu Taneja pointed out, the ongoing challenges in identity verification have created a demand among businesses for additional safeguards, especially when communicating sensitive customer information. This is one of the reasons Rakuten Viber is working on a new offering that provides an extra layer of security for transactional business messages and helps ensure that the right messages reach the right customers.&nbsp;Establishing trust in brand-user communication is an important objective for which rich business messaging is being used by companies in a wide range of industries, from banking and finance to <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/the-ultimate-guide-to-viber-for-business-for-retail-brands/">retail</a> and <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/enhancing-customer-experience-in-transportation-logistics-with-viber-business-messages/">delivery</a> companies. These are aided both by the ability to send files, images, and video safely — and by the very conversational nature of two-way communication.&nbsp;Collaboration: Synergy between Actors in the IndustryFor Rakuten Viber, a collaborative approach has always come naturally: aside from working directly with our business clients, we have long relied on partnerships with other major stakeholders in the industry, including developers, MNOs, and, of course, our messaging partners. That includes joint efforts in driving product awareness, adoption, and customer education and onboarding.But as Silvija Renusa pointed out, another form of inter-industry collaboration is being each other’s clients: for example, many MNOs work with aggregators, such as Infobip, to use Rakuten Viber as a communication tool to reach their customer base (for instance, with special offers and entire marketing campaigns). Similarly, our partnership with Netnumber helps Rakuten Viber solve our verification objectives at scale.As our Chief Revenue Officer Cristina Constandache summarized it, “There is a place for every channel in this ecosystem, it’s just a matter of joining the dots. Finding a way to jointly educate the enterprises on how to best use the omnichannel.”You can watch the recording of these sessions here:&nbsp;<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/SDKM3ESwpTw?si=mf-U5qkiqcTCD2EG"></oembed></figure>Connecting the Dots: Building Untapped Synergies to Advance Businesses<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/8nr_ZXKgmp0?si=imSp_49tGqziDw4C"></oembed></figure>Phone Number Verification: Must-Haves, Methodologies &amp; Mastery

Discover how collaboration between different messaging players can benefit the industry

Recap: Key Discussions at MEF CONNECTS Omnichannel 2023

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In today's digital age, secure and efficient customer communication has become a cornerstone of success in the banking industry. With the surge of online and mobile finance platforms, customers expect instant yet secure conversations with their financial institutions. According to a study by The Motley Fool Ascent, <a href="https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/digital-banking-trends/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">92%</a> of consumers consider the security of their data one of the most important features when choosing their bank. Meanwhile, research published in the International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences shows that communication and information accessibility accounted for a <a href="https://faculty.uobasrah.edu.iq/uploads/publications/1646395792.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">36%</a> variance in customer experience.Meeting these expectations is where <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/business-messages/">Rakuten Viber’s Business Messages</a> step in. A part of the app’s Rich Business Messaging, it offers a secure, real-time means of communication, enabling banks to interact directly with their clients in an efficient, streamlined manner. This approach not only <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/how-banks-can-use-viber-to-reach-out-to-young-generation/">aligns with users' expectations</a> but also adds value to their experience.&nbsp;This article explores how Viber Business Messages can enhance client service, shows its key security features, and demonstrates how banks can successfully integrate business messaging into their communication strategies.&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Mastering Mobile Messaging: A Look at PrivatBank and Ukrsibbank's Strategy</h2>The banking industry has seen significant changes in the way banks communicate with their customers. Viber Business Messages is an innovative tool that has redefined customer communication in the industry. Its successful implementation by leading banks throughout the world showcases its potential to drive customer engagement and improve the delivery of services. Let’s look at the real-life example showcasing how Ukrsibbank used Viber Business Messages.<a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/success-stories/story/ukrsibbank/">Ukrsibbank</a>, a subsidiary of the French international bank BNP Paribas operating in Ukraine, aimed to increase client adoption of their mobile app and educate existing clients on its functionalities. To achieve this, Ukrsibbank turned to Rakuten Viber’s official partner <a href="https://www.gms-worldwide.com/">GMS</a> and utilized Viber Business Messages, integrating images, CTA buttons, and standard text to drive user engagement and enhance campaign performance. The adoption of Viber Business Messages was a game-changer for Ukrsibbank. Over three months, they sent 6M+ messages to their clients via Rakuten Viber, resulting in a 2x higher conversion rate compared to traditional SMS. The campaign exceeded initial expectations with a 50% increase in app downloads and a 30% rise in app usage.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Ukrsibbank_using_Viber_Business_Messages_for_marketing_d90ea8301c.png"><figcaption>Ukrsibbank using Viber Business Messages for marketing</figcaption></figure><h2 style="text-align:justify;">Unmatched Security: Safeguarding Your Business Communications with Rakuten Viber</h2>Rakuten Viber Business Messages offers a robust suite of features, ensuring that banks and financial institutions can <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/the-power-of-customer-data-how-to-use-it-to-improve-your-marketing-efforts/">reliably communicate with their users</a>.<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">All public server connections are made over HTTPS only, designed to provide a secure connection that guards against interception and eavesdropping.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Specific IPs are whitelisted for each business, adding an extra layer of security and trust for users.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">All Viber Business Messages are encrypted in transit, ensuring a high level of security for brand-user interactions.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Client information is never sold, reinforcing Rakuten Viber's commitment to privacy.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Messages are not stored on Rakuten Viber servers after delivery, further safeguarding client data.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Rakuten Viber’s servers support numerous security standards and compliance certifications to make sure we provide secure communication.</li></ul>These are just a few measures that Rakuten Viber is taking to secure communication on the platform. The company is also continually developing new solutions to enhance security further. The upcoming updates will include the possibility for brands to highlight any non-compliant activity for the recipient’s number before sharing essential information, such as OTP passwords, transaction notifications, account balance updates, and other confidential information. It further solidifies the security of transactional business messages which is essential for the financial industry.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Viber_Business_Messages_for_sharing_important_information_9109b1cc1f.png"><figcaption>Viber Business Messages for sharing important information</figcaption></figure><h2 style="text-align:justify;">Streamlining Customer Communication: The Power of Efficiency with Rakuten Viber Business Messages</h2>Banks can significantly benefit from using Rakuten Viber Business Messages to enhance customer communication efficiency.&nbsp;<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">The platform provides instant message delivery, ensuring clients receive real-time updates on transactions and account balances.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">The provision of read receipts enhances transparency, confirming that messages have been successfully received.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Rakuten Viber's automation capability allows banks to program responses to frequently asked questions, freeing up time and resources for other crucial tasks.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">The platform maximizes engagement through personalized messages, fostering a stronger customer bond.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Rakuten Viber's security features mentioned above offer an added layer of protection, ensuring all communications are secure.</li></ul>To sum up, utilizing Rakuten Viber Business Messages in banking not only boosts efficiency and customer service but also fortifies client loyalty through its engaging and protected platform.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">Enhancing Customer Experience: Implementing Rakuten Viber Business Messages in Banking</h2>To integrate Rakuten Viber Business Messages into your financial operations, find <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/messaging-partners/">a trusted messaging partner</a> well-versed in the financial sector. This partner will guide you throughout the process, providing crucial support tailored to your needs. The next step involves the creation of your business account.&nbsp;How to open a Rakuten Viber Business AccountYour chosen partner will fully support the creation of your dedicated business account and integration with your existing banking CRM system. This integration is essential to streamline and manage customer interactions skillfully. After the successful setup and once clients from your existing database have approved to receive notifications from you, you can begin client engagements, providing real-time updates and personalized services through Rakuten Viber.In order to fully leverage the potential of Viber Business Messages in the banking sector, you can follow a set of best practices. Here are several tips for successfully implementing Viber Business Messages in your financial operations:1. Thorough Training: Ensure your team is well-trained in utilizing the new platform. This will help seamless integration and efficient use of Rakuten Viber’s Business Messages.2. Clear Onboarding: Make sure to notify your customers about the new communication channel through the onboarding message on Rakuten Viber and by sharing information in your other channels.&nbsp;3. Consent is Crucial: Remember to send messages to the clients from your own customer database who gave consent to receiving marketing communication from your bank (for example, when filling out a loyalty program).4. Integration with Existing Systems: Correctly integrate Rakuten Viber into your existing CRM system. This will help in tracking user interactions and providing personalized service.5. Regular Updates: Update your customers with the latest information about your bank’s promotions. This will help in keeping your clients informed and engaged.6. Prompt Response: Open two-way communication with your clients through Viber Business Messages, enabling real-time conversations. This approach ensures swift responses to user inquiries and requests, fostering trust and boosting client satisfaction.7. Analyze and Improve: Regularly analyze the performance of your Rakuten Viber Business account. Use insights to upgrade your communication strategy.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Viber_Business_Messages_for_enhancing_bank_clients_experience_e6943be603.png"><figcaption>Viber Business Messages for enhancing bank clients' experience</figcaption></figure><h2>Rakuten Viber: A Game-Changer in the Banking Sector</h2>Here are just a few examples of how financial organizations can use Viber Business Messages:<ul><li>Send messages about transactions to keep clients informed</li><li>Remind about important account updates</li><li>Share news about new products or services</li><li>Send interesting and informative content using multimedia features</li><li>Answer questions and provide support</li><li>Send messages based on what each client is interested in</li></ul>While banks increasingly use business messages to&nbsp;send updates, help customers, and share new offers, they also turn to Viber for Business suite to achieve more business goals. The super app makes it easy for banks to reach a wide audience, promote banking services, and strengthen customer relationships. For example, Rakuten Viber also allows banks to set up chatbots to answer questions and provide support. This helps banks stay connected and <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/the-power-of-viber-for-banks-boosting-customer-engagement/">engage more with their clients</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/success-stories/story/raiffeisen-bank/">Raiffeisen Bank</a>, a leading financial institution in Serbia, aimed to amplify its mobile presence and offer an integrated digital experience to its existing and prospective customers. Raiffeisen Bank has chosen to utilize Rakuten Viber's Stickers and Chatbot to optimize its client engagement. Focusing on the interactive and automated elements of the platform, the bank launched an animated "free &amp; subscribe" Rakuten Viber sticker campaign and developed a chatbot in the native Serbian language. The results were striking: the campaign reached 850K Serbian users, saw over 209K sticker packs downloaded, and recruited over 120K chatbot subscribers, significantly enhancing brand awareness and client engagement.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Raiffeisen_Bank_using_Viber_Chatbot_and_Stickers_for_client_engagement_6bc8d74b73.png"><figcaption>Raiffeisen Bank using Viber Chatbot and Stickers for client engagement</figcaption></figure><h2 style="text-align:justify;">Stepping Up Banking Security and Communication: How Rakuten Viber Business Messages Makes the Difference</h2>The integration of Viber for Business solutions, Business Messages, in particular, has proven to be a significant step toward secure and efficient customer communication for many banks. This comprehensive platform and its tools enhance the financial industry's service, operational efficiency, and security.Other benefits include:&nbsp;<ul><li>Automated messages for account activities</li><li>24/7 customer service with automatic responses</li><li>Secure communication</li><li>Powerful marketing tool for targeted promotions</li><li>Greater client loyalty due to improved service</li><li>Ability to track client engagement and response</li><li>Automated reminders for bill payments or due dates</li><li>Easy integration with existing banking systems</li></ul>Adopting Viber for Business solutions, and Business Messages in particular, is not just about staying on par with technology trends; it's about future-proofing your financial operations and setting a new standard in customer service. It's an investment in your bank's future, ensuring you remain at the forefront of the ever-evolving banking industry.If you're interested in Viber Business Messages for your banking needs, feel free to <a href="https://b2b.viber.com/viber-for-business-form">reach out to our team</a>.

Discover how Viber Business Messages boost secure banking communication and integration

Enhancing Security & Efficiency: Revolutionizing Banking Communications through Viber Business Messages

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Retailers face a variety of challenges, including attracting new customers, maximising sales, and building loyalty. Finding a native environment for brand-user interactions across various touchpoints to solve all of these challenges can be tricky, yet messaging apps can be an effective solution. <a href="https://datareportal.com/global-digital-overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Nearly 95% of adults</a> worldwide actively use chat apps, making them a great way for retail brands to interact directly with consumers. &nbsp;Rakuten Viber provides a cost-effective and efficient suite of tools for a variety of business goals. <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/">Viber for Business</a> solutions work in synergy, offering an array of features to connect seamlessly with clients, regardless of their location or stage in the buying process. Retail brands can personalize customer communication by integrating the app's business solutions with CRM and CDP tools. Rakuten Viber's rich media capabilities provide a powerful opportunity to create visually appealing, interactive, and engaging content that drives brand awareness, engagement, and ultimately, purchases.<h2 style="text-align:justify;">The Viber for Business Ecosystem: Boost Your Marketing, Sales and Customer Service</h2>A global leader in messaging communication, Rakuten Viber has an active, payable audience. The app has successfully established a worldwide presence, spanning more than 190 countries. It makes Rakuten Viber a valuable platform for businesses around the world aiming to connect with their audiences.Viber for Business suite of solutions is designed to help brands drive sales, enhance marketing, and improve customer support.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/marketing-solutions/">Advertising solutions</a>, which include Viber Ads, branded Viber Stickers, and branded Lenses, provide creative and effective ways to promote a brand to a wide user base.<a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/messaging-solutions/">Rich Business Messaging solutions</a>, which are made up of <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/business-messages/">Business Messages</a> and <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/chatbots/">Viber Chatbots</a>, allow brands to strengthen their communication with customers. Viber Business Messages offer retailers a streamlined and efficient communication channel to become closer to their customers. Brands can drive purchases by delivering personalised promotional messages, send important notifications through transactional messages, and provide around-sales customer service through conversational messages. Viber Chatbots allow businesses to provide automated support, available 24/7 without the added costs of human resources. This gives human service agents time to focus on more complex customer care needs, ultimately enhancing customer experience.All messages from brands land in the <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/boost-your-brand-with-the-power-of-business-inbox/">Business Inbox</a> by default – a dedicated folder for brand-user interactions that keeps brand-consumer conversations separate from regular chats.With the <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/milestone-release-meet-commercial-account-and-business-inbox/">Business Account</a>, retailers can also establish a brand presence on Rakuten Viber. This is a searchable account where customers can learn more about the brand and initiate a conversation.&nbsp;Viber for Business offers all the business solutions a brand needs at <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/what-viber-tools-to-use-at-each-step-of-the-customer-journey/">each stage of the marketing funnel</a> to build awareness, spark interest, drive conversion, and nurture loyalty. Let's explore how Rakuten Viber for Business can solve retailers’ pain points and help them achieve their goals at each of these stages.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Rakuten_Viber_for_Business_solutions_1_fb9bcabef8_f009f88942.png"><figcaption>Rakuten Viber for Business: suite of solutions for all your needs</figcaption></figure><h2 style="text-align:justify;">From Awareness to Loyalty: Optimizing the Marketing Funnel with Rakuten Viber for Business</h2>Retailers can use Viber for Business solutions for various business needs. Here are some of the ideas on how brands can achieve their objectives with Viber along the marketing funnel.<h3>Awareness</h3><ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Enhance brand visibility. Use a range of Viber Ad formats and placements that can be seamlessly integrated into chat or call screens, as well as other frequently visited areas.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Catch customers’ attention. Design interactive AR Viber Lenses for your audience to use in the photos or videos. This is a great way for people to connect with your business in a non-common way.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Generate new leads. Use a synergy of solutions on Rakuten Viber. For example, you can reach users with Viber Ads with a CTA button incentivizing them to share contact information and sign up for your marketing offers. Then, you can send targeted offers via Viber Business Messages. You can also use branded Stickers, Lenses, and Ads to bring prospective customers to your chatbot on Rakuten Viber.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Drive product demand. Make the most of Viber Ads by utilizing the targeting options by age, gender, geographical location, and even personal interests. You can also create and launch personalized campaigns with contextually relevant creative content and offers.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Inform existing clients about new offerings. Multimedia features of Viber Business Messages allow you to interact with your customers in a more visually pleasing way through photos, videos, and emojis, and better showcase your products.</li></ul><figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Building_brand_awareness_with_Viber_for_Business_solutions_d6e1d479b5.png"><figcaption>Building brand awareness with Viber for Business solutions</figcaption></figure><h3>Interest</h3><ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Stay top of mind. Reach a wide audience with compelling Viber Ads and show your competitive advantage or facilitate immersive product interactions with AR-powered Viber Lenses.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Re-engage interested customers. Use Viber Ads to reignite their existing interest and encourage action. You can also use CRM and CDP insights to send Viber Business Messages with restock alerts to customers who are interested in the product. Don’t forget to share helpful content through Viber Business Messages, showcasing products through rich media.</li></ul><figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Generating_interest_via_Viber_Lenses_Ads_and_Business_Messages_48bf84c496.png"><figcaption>Generating interest via Viber Lenses, Ads, and Business Messages</figcaption></figure><h3>Conversion&nbsp;</h3><ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Boost conversions with flash offers. Use Viber Ads and Viber Business Messages to share limited-time offers with the relevant segments of the audience.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Enhance holiday sales by communicating special deals. Send discount alerts or offer customers an extra perk with their purchased product to drive seasonal sales via Viber Business Messages or Viber Chatbot.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Fight cart abandonment. Send reminders about items left in the cart and offer personalized discounts on abandoned items using Viber Business Messages and Viber Chatbots.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Upsell and cross-sell. Use customers’ purchase history to recommend products &amp; make personalized offers through Viber Business Messages. Use interactive carousels in Viber Сhatbot to suggest add-on products that go with the customer’s main purchase.</li></ul><figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Converting_leads_into_customers_via_Viber_Advertising_and_Messaging_solutions_cb15aeb875.png"><figcaption>Converting leads into customers via Rakuten Viber Advertising and Rich Business Messaging solutions</figcaption></figure><h3 style="text-align:justify;">Loyalty</h3><ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Encourage repeat purchases. Remind buyers about their bonuses or discounts through Viber Business Messages or Viber Chatbots.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Build long-term relationships. You can use Viber Chatbots to provide your customers with convenient access to the loyalty program details.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Collect customer feedback. Automate customer feedback collection via Viber Chatbot to get product insights efficiently. Use Viber Business Messages to collect feedback and promptly address any issues in personal, 1-to-1 chats.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Personalise your customers’ experience. Send personalized gifts and offers to earn customer loyalty and celebrate your relationship with each customer in a personalized holiday greeting using Viber Business Messages.</li></ul><figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Re_engaging_customers_and_building_loyalty_via_Viber_Messaging_solutions_638da269f1.png"><figcaption>Re-engaging customers and building loyalty via Rich Business Messaging on Rakuten Viber</figcaption></figure>Viber for Business supports retailers from raising awareness to fostering customer loyalty while enhancing the buyer’s journey.<h2>The Impact of Viber for Business on Customer Support and Experience</h2>According to HubSpot research, <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/service/customer-service-stats" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">93%</a> of consumers are likely to continue buying from companies that provide exceptional customer service. Viber for Business solutions can help retailers significantly enhance support and the customer experience. Brands can provide real-time customer support via conversational Viber Business Messages and instantly answer urgent questions from many customers at the same time by using a Viber Chatbot to automatically reply.&nbsp;&nbsp;It allows seamless interaction between the brand and its users, enabling quick and efficient problem-solving. By integrating CRM and CDP tools with Rakuten Viber's Rich Business Messaging, brands can access relevant information for each user's query.&nbsp;Retailers can save resources by automating responses to frequently asked questions using a Viber Chatbot. It will also help brands prevent customer loss during off-hours, as Viber Chatbots can deliver customer support 24/7.Rakuten Viber makes it easy for brands to update customers on their orders and transactions. Retailers can provide rapid order status updates using Viber Business Messages or Viber Chatbot, giving customers easy access to necessary information. They can also empower customers to directly manage their orders, ensuring seamless delivery. Plus, with Viber Business Messages, brands can easily send important documents like receipts, warranties, and bills. Thus, customers will have all the information they need organised in one place.&nbsp;Rakuten Viber also allows for easy verifications through OTP messages, important reminders, and updates on purchase status.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Providing_customer_support_with_help_of_Viber_for_Business_solutions_6c999f90df.png"><figcaption>Providing customer support with the help of Viber for Business solutions</figcaption></figure><h2 style="text-align:justify;">A Seamless Customer Journey: The Power of Viber for Business Solutions in Action</h2>In the current digital landscape, the client's purchasing journey is no longer a straightforward path. Instead, it has evolved into a complex process where consumers interact across multiple channels, devices, and touchpoints before making a purchase. Businesses need to be present where their audiences are, and Rakuten Viber, with <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/viber-in-2022-trends-defining-the-future-of-brand-user-communication/">over a billion downloads on Android alone</a>, provides just that platform.To understand how users become loyal customers on the app, let's explore how your brand can influence a customer's journey with Viber for Business solutions. Imagine that a potential client comes across a Viber Ad and decides to opt in to marketing notifications from your brand. You can then send a personalized discount via Viber Business Message, enticing them to make a purchase. To keep the product top-of-mind, you can use Viber Ads for retargeting, reminding the person about the item they showed interest in. To further spark interest, you can send additional information about the product via another Viber Business Message.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Viber_user_s_introduction_to_the_brand_3c273eec03.png"><figcaption>Rakuten Viber user's introduction to the brand</figcaption></figure>Later, the client adds products to their cart and subscribes to your chatbot to have easy access to your offering. To encourage completion of the purchase, you can send a reminder about the items in the cart via a Viber Chatbot. Once a purchase is made, a confirmation and receipt are sent via Viber Business Message.&nbsp;After the purchase, you can continue the interaction by collecting post-purchase feedback using Viber Business Messages. This prolonged engagement helps to build a lasting relationship with the client, fostering loyalty and encouraging repeat purchases.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Customers_receiving_around_sales_support_on_Viber_410d560f06.png"><figcaption>Customers receiving around-sales support on Rakuten Viber&nbsp;</figcaption></figure><h2>Success Stories of Viber for Business Clients</h2><a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/success-stories/story/coca-cola/">Coca-Cola</a>, the world's largest beverage company, wanted to expand its mobile presence and engage with both existing and new consumers in Bulgaria. To achieve these goals, Coca-Cola strategically partnered with Rakuten Viber because of its connected and engaged audience in the country. Through the launch of Viber Stickers with a promo code mechanism and a chatbot experience on Rakuten Viber, Coca-Cola was able to reach a wider audience and drive conversions over a 3-months period. By cross-promoting this campaign across their social channels and supporting an "under-the-cap" sweepstake, Coca-Cola achieved impressive results, including almost 30,000 cap codes redeemed and a 30% conversion rate, 10 times higher than the industry average.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Viber_campaign_results_for_Coca_Cola_in_Bulgaria_0e885982e7.png"><figcaption>Coca-Cola’s marketing campaign using Viber for Business solutions</figcaption></figure>The <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/success-stories/story/primer/">Primer Group of Companies</a>, a prominent retailer in the Philippines known for distributing a variety of consumer goods, utilized personalized promotional Viber Business Messages to stimulate client interest and drive sales. In collaboration with Rakuten Viber's messaging partner, <a href="https://www.infobip.com/">Infobip</a>, Primer sent e-vouchers to the clients of its youth apparel and lifestyle store Bratpack. The result was a staggering 401% surge in sales and a code redemption conversion rate of 53%.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Primer_s_campaign_via_Viber_Business_Messages_3d9b8161f5.png"><figcaption>Primer’s campaign via Viber Business Messages</figcaption></figure>Another compelling example is <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/success-stories/story/leroy-merlin/">Leroy Merlin</a>, the largest home improvement retailer in Europe. They were looking for innovative ways to make interactions with the members of their new loyalty program more convenient. With the help of Rakuten Viber’s official messaging partner, <a href="https://www.m-stat.gr/">M-STAT</a>, Leroy Merlin adopted Viber Business Messages to communicate with their loyal customers. The outcome was a 300% faster customer service response and a 20% growth in basket size.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Viber_Business_Messages_from_Leroy_Merlin_e04d976177.png"><figcaption>Leroy Merlin sending Viber Business Messages to their customers</figcaption></figure><h2>Harness the Power of Viber for Business for Retail Success</h2>Rakuten Viber for Business is the ultimate retail solution that directly addresses the needs of today's customer-centric market. Its ability to support every stage of the marketing funnel, from raising awareness to fostering loyalty, makes it an indispensable tool for retailers. Thus, retail brands around the world already see great results using Viber for Business solutions.&nbsp;In short, if you're a retailer and not using these instruments yet, you're missing out on a potential game-changer for your business. Leverage Viber for Business and experience firsthand the difference it can make in your customer engagement. Your audience is already on Rakuten Viber; it's time for your business to be there, too.Feel free to <a href="https://b2b.viber.com/viber-for-business-form">contact our team</a> to learn more about Viber for Business capabilities for your retail brand.

Discover how to use Viber for Business to optimize your retail marketing funnel

The Ultimate Guide to Viber for Business for Retail Brands

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Black Friday, the annual shopping extravaganza that occurs on the last Friday of November, has become a highly anticipated event for both consumers and businesses alike. With huge discounts and limited-time offers, it's a race to snag the best deals.&nbsp;In the age of digital shopping, retailers have shifted their focus to online platforms to reach a wider audience and increase sales. The following statistics show why it's crucial to embrace mobile marketing as an essential part of your Black Friday campaign:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;"><a href="https://influencermarketinghub.com/black-friday-mobile-shopping-trends/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">89%</a> of shoppers rely on their mobile devices to read product reviews before making a purchase, emphasizing the need to have a strong mobile presence.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Smartphones accounted for a substantial <a href="https://www.salecycle.com/blog/blog/2022-black-friday-ecommerce-strategy-stats-report-webinar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">74%</a> of the total traffic on Black Friday.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Mobile shopping on Thanksgiving and Cyber Week in 2022 reached an all-time high and accounted for an impressive <a href="https://news.adobe.com/news/news-details/2022/Adobe-Cyber-Monday-Drove-11.3-Billion-in-Online-Spending-Breaking-E-Commerce-Record--/default.aspx#:~:text=Get%20started-,Adobe%3A%20Cyber%20Monday%20Drove%20%2411.3%20Billion%20in,Spending%2C%20Breaking%20E%2DCommerce%20Record&amp;text=SAN%20JOSE%2C%20Calif.,Black%20Friday%20and%20Cyber%20Monday." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">55%</a> of online sales.</li></ul>One tool that has proven to be highly effective in Black Friday marketing is Rakuten <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Viber for Business solutions</a>. Rakuten Viber offers a range of tools and features designed to help businesses connect with their customers, and these tools are especially relevant during this busy shopping season. From managing orders and deliveries to sending personalized alerts and announcements, Rakuten Viber for Business provides a comprehensive suite of solutions for companies to engage with their audience and drive sales.In this blog article, we will explore the various ways in which retailers can leverage Rakuten Viber for Business solutions to step up their Black Friday marketing efforts and achieve their goals.<h2>Achieving Black Friday Campaign Goals with Rakuten Viber Tools&nbsp;</h2>During Black Friday campaigns, businesses pursue several key goals to maximize their success and capitalize on the shopping frenzy. With the help of Rakuten Viber's diverse range of features and capabilities, businesses can effectively reach and engage their target audience, drive sales, and enhance customer satisfaction.&nbsp;<h3>Build Brand Awareness, Engage and Acquire New Customers</h3>Rakuten <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/more-than-ads-discover-creative-tools-on-viber/">Viber Ads, Stickers, and Lenses</a> are powerful tools for brands to engage with a wide audience and leave a lasting impression that can help drive customer acquisition.Rakuten Viber Ads allow companies to reach a vast user base and showcase their products or services. With various formats available, such as banners, videos, and native ads, brands can effectively communicate their message and capture the attention of potential clientele. By targeting specific demographics and interests, Rakuten Viber Ads ensure that the right audience is reached, improving the chances of acquiring new customers.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Sephora_s_Black_Friday_campaign_with_Rakuten_Viber_Ads_5e4793b354.jpg"><figcaption>Sephora’s Black Friday&nbsp;campaign with Rakuten Viber Ads</figcaption></figure>Branded Viber Stickers offer a unique and fun way to engage with users and increase brand visibility. On average, each sticker is shared 11 times, and over 1 billion stickers are sent every month. By creating custom stickers, you can tap into this phenomenon and establish a strong brand identity. These stickers can be shared among users, spreading the word about your Black Friday promotions and attracting new potential buyers.Branded <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/get-creative-with-viber-lenses-how-to-leverage-them-for-unique-marketing-strategies/">Viber Lenses</a> provide an interactive and immersive brand experience for users. Brands can create augmented reality lenses that allow users to try on products virtually or visualize how they would look in their homes. This innovative feature not only captures attention but also ensures a memorable experience that can leave a lasting impression on potential customers. One of the key benefits of using Lenses is the potential for viral engagement. Users love to share their fun and creative lens captures with their friends, amplifying brand reach and visibility. Within just three months of launching globally, over <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/viber-for-business-recap-how-brands-and-users-communicated-in-2021/">52 million</a> lens captures were generated. You can link your chatbot with Rakuten Viber Ads, Stickers, and Lenses, guiding audiences to subscribe to the bot where you can steer them toward making a purchase.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/e_MAG_campaign_customer_acquisition_with_Viber_Stickers_and_Chatbots_6858b12503.jpg"><figcaption>eMAG campaign: customer acquisition with Viber Stickers and Chatbots</figcaption></figure><h3>Generate Interest and Drive Conversion</h3>As a business, you want to make sure you reach as many customers as possible and stand out from the competition. That's where <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/business-messages/">Rakuten Viber Business Messages</a> come in, offering a powerful platform for brands to engage with their clientele directly where they are – on their smartphones.&nbsp;Business Messages enable brands to showcase their products, services, and special Black Friday deals directly to users. By leveraging eye-catching visuals and compelling copy, brands can capture the attention of potential customers and generate interest. You can include up to 1000 characters of text, images, videos, links, call-to-action buttons, and various types of files.&nbsp;Take advantage of rich media features to provide more information and showcase your offering. For example, if a client wants to see a product from a different angle, simply send them a picture. If a buyer is unsure about which product to choose from a category, send a video displaying all the options. And if a client needs specifications or wants to review warranty terms, just send them the relevant file. By using these rich media features, brands not only help customers make more informed purchase decisions but also keep them engaged and interested.Additionally, with Rakuten Viber's business messages, you only pay for delivered messages and ensure that you achieve your goals with every resource you invest.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Increasing_conversion_with_Viber_Business_Messages_74f33af8c8.jpg"><figcaption>Increasing conversion with Viber Business Messages&nbsp;</figcaption></figure><h3>Improve Customer Satisfaction</h3>As businesses gear up for the busiest shopping day of the year, it's crucial to have the right tools in place to ensure a satisfying customer experience.<ol><li style="text-align:justify;">During the busy Black Friday period, consumers are pressed for time and more likely to engage with brands that cater to their preferences and needs. Use Rakuten Viber's conversational features to interact with customers and help them find the perfect product. Whether it's answering their questions, providing product recommendations, or guiding them through the buying process, Business Messages allow you to offer personalized support.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Keep your customers informed about their Black Friday purchases by using transactional Business Messages. You can send order confirmations, updates on shipping status, and even tracking information. This proactive approach helps build trust and provides a seamless shopping experience.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">The buyer’s journey doesn't end with the purchase. With Viber Business Messages, you can offer post-sales support, address any concerns, and guide shoppers through the return or exchange process. This level of customer care helps build loyalty and encourages repeat business.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Black Friday provides a great opportunity to gather valuable insights about your customers' experiences. Use Viber Business Messages to send feedback requests to improve your products and services for future campaigns.</li></ol>During the hectic Black Friday rush, it's essential to provide immediate responses to customer inquiries. With Viber Chatbots, you can be available 24/7, instantly answering questions related to promotions, availability, and more. According to HubSpot Research, <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/live-chat-go-to-market-flaw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">82%</a> of consumers expect immediate responses to their sales or marketing questions. By meeting these expectations, you can build trust, engage customers, and drive sales.Not only can our Chatbots assist with personalized shopping experiences, but they can also streamline the payment process. People can shop and <a href="https://www.viber.com/en/blog/2022-07-27/our-latest-super-feature-viber-pay/">make payments</a> within the Rakuten Viber app, eliminating the need to switch between different channels.<figure class="image"><img src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Using_Viber_Rich_Business_Messaging_to_enhance_customer_experience_254e52b0c9.jpg"><figcaption>Using Rich Business Messaging on Rakuten Viber to enhance customer experience</figcaption></figure><h3>Increase Sales and Revenue</h3>The primary goal of Black Friday campaigns is to drive sales and revenue. Businesses aim to attract customers with compelling offers, discounts, and promotions to encourage them to buy during this peak season.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.infobip.com/blog/black-friday-shopping-trends-and-insights">Infobip's research</a> revealed that 54% of consumers are annoyed by impersonal messages, while 47% simply ignore messages that lack personalization. By integrating Rakuten Viber Business Messages with your CRM or CDP, you can tap into your customer database to gather valuable insights. This integration allows you to segment your audience based on their preferences, purchase history, and demographics, enabling you to deliver targeted messages that resonate with their needs and interests.Similarly, Rakuten Viber Ads offer robust targeting capabilities. Brands have the flexibility to target specific audiences based on demographics, interests, location, and more. This level of precision enables you to reach the right consumers at the right time, prompting them to make a purchase.Cart abandonment is a common challenge businesses face, especially during high-demand shopping events like Black Friday. With Rakuten Viber Business Messages, you can reach out to customers who abandoned their carts and provide them with personalized reminders and offers to entice them to complete their purchases. By addressing their hesitation and offering relevant incentives, you can significantly reduce cart abandonment and skyrocket your sales.Cross-selling and upselling are valuable strategies to increase your average order value. Viber Business Messages and Viber Chatbots allow you to showcase related products, suggest complementary items, or offer exclusive discounts to encourage shoppers to add more to their carts. By strategically promoting additional products or services, you can see a surge in sales and maximize your revenue during the Black Friday frenzy.<h2>Level Up Your Black Friday Strategy with Rakuten Viber</h2>The <a href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/holiday-marketing-with-viber-in-2023/">holiday season</a> is in full swing, and it's important to capitalize on every opportunity during this period, whether it's Black Friday sales, Christmas campaigns, or making the most of the 'Fifth Quarter'—the period between Christmas and late January when consumers still have a high intent to purchase with remaining cash from returned items and gift cards.Whether you're a smaller retailer or a global retail giant, Rakuten Viber campaigns on Black Friday can help you cut through the competition, boost revenue, and make a lasting impact. With the platform's powerful targeting capabilities, you can deliver tailored offers and promotions directly to your customers' mobile devices. By integrating chatbots into your campaigns, you can provide instant customer support, automate answers to frequently asked questions, and guide shoppers through their purchase journey. This not only ensures a seamless shopping experience but also boosts brand trust and loyalty. Rakuten Viber's rich business messaging capabilities enable brands to reach their customers directly, delivering personalized offers, exclusive discounts, and timely updates on Black Friday deals. The ability to send rich media content, such as images, videos, and interactive CTA buttons, enhances the buyer’s experience and increases engagement.Feel free to <a href="https://b2b.viber.com/viber-for-business-form">contact our team</a> to learn more about increasing your seasonal sales with Rakuten Viber.

Discover how to increase sales and engage customers during Black Friday with Rakuten Viber solutions