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Is there money to be made online stictly from Kenyan market?
Rank: Member Joined: 2/12/2010 Posts: 474 Location: Nairobi
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I like looking around what people do. Kenya has 28% internet penetration (Projected to double in the next 3 years). Google and other big IT companies are all over getting into Kenyan market. I saw this guys Moranhosting.com giving 50% off on webhosting. They are a Kenyan business and wondered if they are just helping out. I bought a domain via them (.com for a K) also hosting and can clearly say they know their stuff. Question is, are there such many people who need websites in Kenya to make these guys earn anything?Keep it simple
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Rank: Elder Joined: 2/23/2009 Posts: 1,626
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When I think about online business in Kenya I try to compare it with mobile phones? Mobile phones solved a problem in Kenya,a cheap and convenient method of communication for the masses. The first thing you need to do is define what your online business will do and why offering it online and through you is necessary? You should not look at it from your perspective but from your customers perspective? What problem are you solving for them? Another thing you should consider are the internet access points of Kenyans - is it mobile or desktop if it's desktop is at home,cyber or at work?Difficult to know. Lastly,the thing I find the most difficult to decipher is the role the internet plays in our society and to what extent are people comfortable in engaging with it? What are Kenyans views on what the internet is?Is it a social platform,educational/informational,entertainment,financial...Basically I think the dominant roles it plays in our society is where more resources will be allocated to continue to satisfy that function.What are your thoughts? Uncertainty is certain.Let go
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Rank: Member Joined: 2/12/2010 Posts: 474 Location: Nairobi
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Well said @ChessMaster read from the Forbes Africa about Kenya having 28% internet penetration, the best in East and central Africa. The access is expected to more than double by 2014. Keep it simple
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Rank: Elder Joined: 2/23/2009 Posts: 1,626
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richdad wrote:Well said @ChessMaster read from the Forbes Africa about Kenya having 28% internet penetration, the best in East and central Africa. The access is expected to more than double by 2014. It's not about access.It's about demographics. Kenya Demographics 1Demographics 2If you look at the two above links its safe to say that 50% of Kenyans are under 25.These are individuals who see nothing new with M-pesa or the internet.As they start to getting into work and colleges/universities they will expect these technologies to be common place in doing business and other activities. That's when things will get interesting. Uncertainty is certain.Let go
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Rank: Elder Joined: 2/23/2009 Posts: 1,626
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ChessMaster wrote:When I think about online business in Kenya I try to compare it with mobile phones? Mobile phones solved a problem in Kenya,a cheap and convenient method of communication for the masses. The first thing you need to do is define what your online business will do and why offering it online and through you is necessary? You should not look at it from your perspective but from your customers perspective? What problem are you solving for them? Another thing you should consider are the internet access points of Kenyans - is it mobile or desktop if it's desktop is at home,cyber or at work?Difficult to know.
Lastly,the thing I find the most difficult to decipher is the role the internet plays in our society and to what extent are people comfortable in engaging with it? What are Kenyans views on what the internet is?Is it a social platform,educational/informational,entertainment,financial...Basically I think the dominant roles it plays in our society is where more resources will be allocated to continue to satisfy that function.What are your thoughts? LinkThis guy should pay me Uncertainty is certain.Let go
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 5/20/2008 Posts: 1,126 Location: Nairobi
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I suggest a combination of the Kenyan market and international market...
Anyway, to answer the question. Some opportunities strictly from Kenyan market include:
- Freelance writing for Kenyan clients - Web design and development - Search Engine Optimization - Writing and selling eBooks (like mine here :)) - Web hosting reselling (a favorite for many - Creating sites for the Kenyan market e.g. Wazua (you can earn some money from AdSense and other advertising) - eCourses - Search engine marketing for clients
JOIN MY FREE MINI-COURSE FOR WRITERS. CLICK HERE
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Rank: Elder Joined: 2/23/2009 Posts: 1,626
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I also expect cyber security and penetration testing to pick up. Wazua is more valuable in Kenya than AdSense.With clicks it causes ticks. Uncertainty is certain.Let go
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Rank: Hello Joined: 1/12/2013 Posts: 4 Location: Nairobi
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There is definitely money to be made because internet usage is part of our lives now more than ever. We use the internet to do almost anything and the people are there waiting to visit your site.The more visitors you have the more you can earn. I actually know of guys who own websites in Kenya and they are very successful and make a lot of money of them.
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Rank: Elder Joined: 7/1/2011 Posts: 8,804 Location: Nairobi
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There's more money than can be imagined on the internet, and in Kenya specifically. The limit is only imagination.
Maybe another factor is world view. . . alas! One's world view is his imagination!
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Rank: Elder Joined: 2/23/2009 Posts: 1,626
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tycho wrote:There's more money than can be imagined on the internet, and in Kenya specifically. The limit is only imagination.
Maybe another factor is world view. . . alas! One's world view is his imagination! True true.Perception is everything. Uncertainty is certain.Let go
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 4/16/2010 Posts: 906 Location: Nairobi
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Yes, but the industry is new. The best advice I can give you is if you're planning on entering the internet market, go with the intention of setting up a small enterprise that will grow organically over time.
The biggest mistake people have been making is to come into the internet market full speed with all guns blazing. That is the mistake InMobi, Kalahari, haiya.co.ke, Dealfish and many others made. Flashy corporate offices with imported furniture, staff on international salaries, etc, in anticipation of a sudden boom in the market. Before the market could come up to their expectations, they had run out of money, but those of us who have been running lean operations all along have survived.
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Rank: Elder Joined: 2/23/2009 Posts: 1,626
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ChessMaster wrote:I also expect cyber security and penetration testing to pick up. Wazua is more valuable in Kenya than AdSense.With clicks it causes ticks. Cyber security againUncertainty is certain.Let go
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Rank: Elder Joined: 2/23/2009 Posts: 1,626
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Now this is where I have reached for all those who care to listen. The net is yet to start satisfying Kenya's societal needs. As is it stands it serves as a communication and entertainment platform for the masses. Though slowly people are seeing the potential it has as an informational/educational platform but this is tricky simply because it raises the issue of where to find the right information and how applicable it is to your situation. On the other hand it's an indispensable tool for Kenyans in the diaspora. That I find interesting. It's a pathway for Kenyans all over the world to learn more about Kenya-its challenges and opportunities and participate in them. On the local front,it will start to pick up when it is more economical to satisfy societal needs using technology than it is without it. Time saving innovations will thrive but they have to be less costly or more convenient. Another place will be content "aggregators". Basically places which offer specific content which can be generated within the organization or used to filter information from outside the organization. Eventually they will be embrace freemium model. They can also be divided into two categories.Those that try to solve problems and those that offer opportunities. Still thinking on more categories. Anyway,I'm curious to see how distribution will work in Kenya. I don't mean to offend,but Kenyans are cautious individuals prompted by a lot of scandals,corruption and fear of loss. Distribution systems targeted for Business to Business can work more easily than they can for Business to Consumer/C2C/C2B. The problem arises with consumers. What are their needs in terms of distribution? Borrowing a leaf from banks,the next logical step I see is shops being converted into delivery hot spots.Basically,kiosks will receive the products of a large group of people in a location and at the convenience of the customer pick it up after work for example. My premise is simple. You already have a relationship with the local kiosks. So trust can be easily established. With the right packaging and the goods coming bundled together theft can be easily mitigated. Once deliveries are made,confirmation of the batch can be easily be done using mass smses. Confirmation of receipt of goods by the distribution company can also be done when paying for the services. Once payed up both the receiver and the sender receive smses of the ongoing transaction. It also removes the issue of people not wanting others knowing where they live. Now,who pays the kiosks so that everyone benefits from the transaction. Uncertainty is certain.Let go
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Rank: Elder Joined: 7/1/2011 Posts: 8,804 Location: Nairobi
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@ChessMaster, I have been working on the ideas you have suggested for sometime now and they have several challenges.
1. Is there a need for disrupting the current value chain? If yes, then roles for the retailers have to be changed, present day distributors and whole sellers have to find new roles. . . hence the possibility of a political backlash.
2. Sorting and packaging may turn out to be expensive, inconvinient, and prone to cases of theft.
3. We need to have prepaid mechanisms in place, and where availability of goods and price is uncertain one is likely to be met with losses and legal problems.
4. If 'goods' are to be delivered on a just in time basis then transport costs will rise, and pollution will increase.
The IT firm needs to be lean and risk averse, and handling goods can be messy. The trick as I have found out is to work along the present value chain but come with strategies for reducing costs and increase possibilities for increased profits and revenue and credit to all participants.
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Rank: Elder Joined: 2/23/2009 Posts: 1,626
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@tycho - Thanks for reading those rumblings.Time is one thing I believe can inspire such changes.People are becoming busier and busier. Sorting and packing might use recycled material,that's just a thought.It's focused on distribution not delivery of goods or a platform for buying new ones so price and availability of goods is left out. Transport costs can be reduced but I can't say for certain. If more individuals are spending less of their time and money traveling to go get goods which can be brought to them(not all goods of course),it can mean efficiency. I don't think an IT firm can do this but an IT firm will be hired to implement the IT solutions for the distribution company. The transport industry might suffer from reduced passengers. Uncertainty is certain.Let go
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Rank: Elder Joined: 7/1/2011 Posts: 8,804 Location: Nairobi
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ChessMaster wrote:@tycho - Thanks for reading those rumblings.Time is one thing I believe can inspire such changes.People are becoming busier and busier. Sorting and packing might use recycled material,that's just a thought.It's focused on distribution not delivery of goods or a platform for buying new ones so price and availability of goods is left out.
Transport costs can be reduced but I can't say for certain. If more individuals are spending less of their time and money traveling to go get goods which can be brought to them(not all goods of course),it can mean efficiency. I don't think an IT firm can do this but an IT firm will be hired to implement the IT solutions for the distribution company. The transport industry might suffer from reduced passengers. Please elaborate on your idea of distribution.
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 5/20/2008 Posts: 1,126 Location: Nairobi
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richdad wrote: I bought a domain via them (.com for a K) also hosting and can clearly say they know their stuff.
I have checked out their site and yeah, they seem cool. I prefer Hostgator for hosting any time.
ChessMaster wrote: When I think about online business in Kenya I try to compare it with mobile phones? Mobile phones solved a problem in Kenya
I totally agree, the only way to go is to solve a problem. It is better to be freemium than just sell premium products. These guys do it great when it comes to affiliate marketing.
ChessMaster wrote: Wazua is more valuable in Kenya than AdSense.
AdSense is overrated. You have to follow their content guidelines and most sites (even with some stable traffic) only get pennies from these guys. I prefer affiliate marketing by far; where one click and purchase can easily get you even $50.
kalu_wanjala wrote: The more visitors you have the more you can earn.
This is a common misconception in online business. Actually, the more targeted and relevant visitors you get, the more you can earn. That’s where the term conversion rate (CR) comes in.
tycho wrote: There's more money than can be imagined on the internet
I totally agree. Kenyans are quickly earning six figures making money online. I even know of a few who are hitting 7 and above.
KenyanLyrics wrote: Setting up a small enterprise that will grow organically over time. I actually think the main thing should be focusing on solving problems. The more problems you solve, the more money you make. If people need goods, give them and make money. If they need training, train them e.t.c. This gives value to both buyer and seller.
ChessMaster wrote: where to find the right information and how applicable it is to your situation
***Opportunity***
Remember laws of demand and supply – scarcity and choice.
ChessMaster wrote: Kenyans are cautious individuals prompted by a lot of scandals, corruption and fear of loss
That’s a worldwide thing. Give Kenyans value and they’ll buy…anytime…anywhere
Conclusion
Look for what people need, give them goods and services that will satisfy their needs and you’re in business, whether online or offline. Big-up to the people below who are making smart money online: ePay-Kenya,
KenyaMoneyOnline,
FreelancerKenya,
Wazua,
eKitabu,
Safaricom business
e.t.c.
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Rank: Elder Joined: 2/23/2009 Posts: 1,626
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It's basically extending the current distribution system to incorporate kiosks.In a way making the kiosk serve an extra purpose like how banks have embraced them. Uncertainty is certain.Let go
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Rank: Elder Joined: 2/23/2009 Posts: 1,626
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@akowally - I agree. There is a lot of potential when it comes to information. Uncertainty is certain.Let go
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Rank: Veteran Joined: 5/20/2008 Posts: 1,126 Location: Nairobi
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@Chessmaster
That's why there are schools making money in every corner of the world.
Caution should always be observed though. This is the internet, therefore anyone can claim to be anything.
You'll only get high quality training from people or companies with a proven reputation.JOIN MY FREE MINI-COURSE FOR WRITERS. CLICK HERE
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