A lot of people are searching for new ways to earn additional income. This is why VTU businesses are becoming common in Africa. If you are reading this post, there is a huge chance that you are at best thinking about having one.
However, running a successful SME in Africa demands that you expand your reach, which in turn widens your audience. One of the ways to reach a wider audience, hence, increasing your chances of closing more sales is by building your website.
What You Need To Get Started
The term “VTU” is an acronym for “Virtual Top Up”. It is a business that allows the vendor to top up the mobile lines of a customer with data or airtime.
Below are a few things you will need to create your VTU website:
A Domain Name
A Web Hosting Account/Space
A Website Template or Wordpress
A Text Editor
A Laptop, Desktop, or Smartphone
A VTU Portal Creating Software
A reliable internet connection
A VTU business Account
Tips To Creating Your Own Vtu Website In Nigeria
Contrary to general assumptions, you do not need to be a tech guru to learn how you can create your own VTU Website from Scratch.
We have made the entire process simple. With just a few clicks and some drag and drop features, you too can begin creating your own VTU website.
Below is a step by step guide to building your VTU website:
1. Register A Domain Name And Pick A Web Hosting Plan
There are several hosting platforms like
Resellerhosting and
www.hosting4africa.com.ng that allow you to register your domain name. However, we recommend
www.hosting4africa.com.ng since it is a Nigerian web hosting platform.
A domain name is the address of your website that allows users to access your website. It often ends with the .com or .ng extensions such as www.yourwebsite.com.
Pick a domain name, visit
RESELLER HOSTING to search if the name you chose is available, and pay for it. You should note that you will need to renew your payment each year.
2. Choose Your Preferred Website Creation Platform
There are several website creation platforms available online, and it is easy to get overwhelmed with the decision to find the perfect one. If you have little or no idea about building a website, you should opt for simple platforms like Google Blogger, WordPress or by using an already made Template.
This is because they both have the simplest web creation interface and are open-source platforms. In other words, you don’t have to pay a dime to use these platforms to build your VTU website.
In this tutorial, we are using the Template method. Therefore, download and Install any website Template of your choice.
Click Here to Download a Website template.
Things You Must Do Before Owning a VTU Website You must have comprehensive and up-to-date understanding about how mobile network operators work (MTN, GLO, Airtel, 9mobile in Nigeria for instance). Things like checking data balance, airtime balance, and subscription codes should be well known to you. Regularly checking their official websites for information is strongly recommended. You must have a strong internet connection, a solid smartphone and a computer. While you can, get these devices to have the latest software and/or technology. Gain a little experience in the VTU business by learning from established vendors, and by selling to customers directly. Lack of experience may cause huge losses. Have a well laid out budget. The more features you require, the more money will be involved. Have a plan ready for marketing and promotions, once the website is done. Get a domain name and rewarding web hosting package; and find yourself a solid web developer. You may also decide to create a mobile app version of your VTU site. This would allow smartphone (and tablet) users to have easy access to your services. Choose a reasonably-priced website creation platform with high-quality features and plugins. Good examples of such sites include WordPress, Wix, Blogger, GoDaddy, HostGator and Weebly. You must also partner with a reliable and responsive payment gateway to process all payments on your site. We have popular payment gateways such as Monnify, Paystack, Interswitch, PayU, Remita and Rave in Nigeria. Check their offerings and choose wisely.
Reasons Why You Should Have Your Custom Virtual Top up Business Portal.
With your custom Virtual Top Up Business Portal, you will get;
- 8% instant discount on all GLO data bundles. This means that if you are buying N1,000 worth of data as a portal owner, you will only be charged ₦920.
- 6% instant discount on GLO airtime.
- MTN SME data 1GB at N229, 2GB at N458, 5GB at N1145. This is the popular MTN SME data package (with 30 – 90 days of validity guaranteed).
- 3% discount on MTN airtime and direct data bundles.
- 5% discount on MTN Share N Sell airtime.
- 3% Discounts on AIRTEL airtime VTU and direct data bundles. That means if you are buying N1,000 worth of data as a portal owner, you will only pay N970 to skyrocket your profit margins.
- 5.5% discount on 9MOBILE airtime and direct data bundles.
- 1% discount on Cable TV subscriptions compared to others where they charge ₦50 to ₦100 extra fee. For instance, you are charged N891 for N900 Startimes bouquet.
- Zero fees on Electricity payment and Cable TV subscriptions. This gives you the opportunity to add your own fee (N50/N100) and make profits.
- WAEC result PIN checker as low as N2800.
- NECO result token as low as N850.
- Cheap and Fast Bulk SMS delivery via direct GSM route at N2 per SMS. The best part is that the route charge is per SMS and not per unit and no wasted SMS credits.
- Unlimited user accounts system to set up your own discount and prices.
- You can also have different users. Opportunity to create loads of resellers and make more money.
- A flexible and simple wallet based system. This makes it easy for your registered customers to fund their wallets on your website.
- Online payment for your customers to fund their wallets instantly with their ATM card, USSD, International payment gateway, and many more. So, you do not have to wake up in the middle of the night to fund wallets and respond to calls. Your business runs on autopilot and at your convenience.
- Bulk Airtime top-up for customers that want to recharge multiple phone numbers.
- Airtime API solution for developers to connect with your website which will definitely increase your sales because there a lot of people looking for easy API connection.
- Flexible and easy customization. You can add your text, upload your own logo and banner images to reflect your brand.
- Using our portal service will allow you to connect to multiple APIs. So you won’t be stocked using just one provider. The good thing is you won’t get downtimes because of a provider’s problem just switch to the other. This is an automatic money-making machine for you.
- Step by step manual on how to operate and administer the portal even if you don’t have a laptop or pc.
- Bonus: ₦3,500 Wallet Balance. You will get your own Virtual Top Up Business Setup with money to start your business immediately.
- Bonus: High-quality materials and products to facilitate your growth and development. You will never be alone.
- Bonus: A complete WordPress Training (if you opted for this installation), theme & plugin. You will be able to setup & design any WordPress website.