Contact Center Solutions Featured Article

Virtual shopping is becoming the way to get the items you want, and is receiving a nice boost from affordable and feature-rich cell phones including those on rapidly expanding 3G and 4G/LTE wireless networks that permit checking out those must-haves anytime, anywhere.

 

Consumers -- and their avatar alter egos -- will spend more than $1 billion this year on virtual goods in the U.S., reports said. What with Northeastern residents having to dig themselves out of feet of snow and traffic nightmares everywhere else, buying virtually is the safe, sensible, greener and responsible purchasing option.

 

To that end, and in response to overwhelming consumer demand, Cellufun which reportedly is the world’s largest social gaming community on mobile, is rolling out an expansive suite of goods and gifts to entice active holiday shoppers.

 

Cellufun fits into the busy schedules of shoppers on the go by making it possible for users to send and receive virtual goods from their mobile phones. Cellufun lets users send  virtual goods to anyone with a wireless device anywhere, without worrying about which cellular provider or what kind of phone the recipient may have.

 

Cellufun is particularly appealing to those who do not have time to stand in line at the mall or even to log on to their computers to shop for a gift. With it, users can send a designer necklace to a girlfriend in Reno from the office Christmas party or a sweater to a brother on the other side of the world at a board meeting in New Delhi.

 

Ensuring no shortage of items for even the finickiest recipient, Cellufun boasts the largest mobile virtual goods marketplace in North America at more than 3,500 items. Cellufun’s holiday rollout includes specials and sales in the mobile mall throughout December. From exotic pets to designer clothing and jewelry, 'virtually' anything is up for grabs on Cellufun as long as shoppers are willing to spend a little real world cash.

 

Just like in the real world, it’s the thought that counts. According to a recent survey by Q Interactive Services, more than half those polled said that virtual gifting is as meaningful as receiving a real world item.

 

Here are key facts on Cellufun virtual gifting for 2009:

 

*          All Cellufun transactions must take place using the virtual currency FunCoins, which can be purchased right over a mobile phone.

 

*          Presents can be given to anyone, not just Cellufun users. Everyone with a cell phone number or e-mail address can send and receive gifts.

 

*          Every item for sale is available to be wrapped and virtually delivered at no charge.

 

*          Cellufun users can be notified via text message when a gift arrives from another player or when their recipient has received an item.

 

*          Virtual gifts appear under a designated Hanukkah bush or Christmas tree on a player's profile page.

 

*          The company is also adding limited time items like Santa hats and seasonal confectionary delights to put everyone in a jolly mood.

 

That happy countenance also extends to Cellufun’s management, staff and backers. Cellufun had over 2.5 million transactions during their introduction of virtual goods into its mobile marketplace in the third quarter of 2009. With forecasters projecting virtual goods sales in excess of $5.5 billion worldwide, Cellufun representatives believe they are in a position to trounce their third quarter virtual goods earnings.

 

“This holiday season is all about having the ability to multi-task,” Cellufun CEO Neil Edwards said. “Increasingly large numbers of consumers are on their mobile phones, accessing the Internet on any given day. It just makes sense that people are giving presents over their mobile phones.”