Love of technology sparks novel idea for online advertising

Mr Patrick Kiragu of Signup Kenya demonstrates how the e-advertising system works. Photo/Emma Nzioka 

By SIMON CIURI,

In Summary

• Tech-geek starts Signup.co.ke for, among other services, online advertising, business listings.

A former Kenya Polytechnic student saw an open opportunity in online advertising and decided to follow the unbeaten path after an unsuccessful struggle to secure employment.

“Signup.co.ke deals with online advertising, business listings, events placing including classifieds,’’ said the tech-geek who studied Information and Communication Technology.

It all started with a passion for laptops that saw him register Groove Computers in 2010 to sell and repair the machines.

“I love technology and it has always been my first love,’’ Patrick Kiragu told Business Daily in an interview at View Park Towers where he operates from.

Through Groove Computers he established a subsidiary called Signup.co.ke. The company mostly deals with corporate and individual clients who intend to increase their business online and reach the greater market at an affordable fee.

“Online business is the way to go when it comes to reaching the larger public. The advent of smart phones globally has played a key role in terms of growth in online business. I saw a gap to bridge and earn a living while providing quality yet affordable services,’’ said Mr Kiragu .

With the growth, Mr Kiragu incorporated two of his closest friends Josephat Kili and Kenneth Kimaru to help with the marketing and business promotion.

“We are projecting to be the best online business directory,’’ says Josephat Kili who is a shareholder in the business.

“Competition is very stiff outside there but people will always come to you if you offer services that are based on quality. When you put profits first and drop the need for quality, customers are very observant and you will soon close shop,’’ warns Mr Kimaru who is also a partner in the trade.

Currently, Signup.co.ke has 40 clients and is targeting to reach 300 by March this year.

“We will achieve this since 55 per cent of the proposals we wrote to prospective clients last year  have been approved and this a pointer that people are appreciating what we are doing,’’ says Mr Kiragu.

Some of their notable clients are Intercity Flight and Shipping Company, Wananchi Online, the National Museums of Kenya, Simba Net and Giicko Limited.

Signup.co.ke targets clients who are between 15 and 60 years old and who are conversant with technology.

“This is a product whose sales are not determined or dictated by the performance of the sister product but on how best its online presence is received,’’ says Mr Kiragu

Signup.co.ke charges are determined by the features and size accompanying the advert and the duration it will run online.