Years ago, a thick and heavy book would be delivered to residents and businesses free of charge. These books contained yellow pages covered in small black text. The names, area codes, addresses and numbers of residents and businesses were listed in alphabetical order. Obviously, this was long before POPIA… but these Yellow Pages, as they were called, was a directory that helped potential customers find service providers in their area and connect with local businesses.
In a digital world, there was less need for a printed book that weighed more than a bag of maize meal – especially not one that required frequent reprinting and updating. So it went digital. For a long time, the yellow pages directory was listed on the domain www.yellowpages.co.za, but the Yep.co.za digital marketplace is its new home, aligning with its new mission and its historical purpose.
Let Your Fingers Do The Walking Through… The Digital Marketplace
Yep! is so much more than an online directory, it’s a South African digital marketplace that provides a scalable solution that helps businesses from all shapes and sizes to grow and enhance their reach.
Its mission is to create a long-term future through a space for consumers where verified businesses are listed and users know they can trust the business they are working with.
Customers are met with the promise of:
- Discovering better quality service providers because these are verified.
- Receiving several quotes for the job you require because multiple providers can be identified.
Businesses, on the other hand, has an additional touchpoint where clients can connect with them.
Small and medium businesses can potentially:
- Gain more customers.
- Run their business.
- Put their business online.
- Better communicate with customers.
Yep ensures that it covers a variety of industries, meaning that there is something for every consumer. The industries include:
- Agriculture
- Car and Automotive
- Education, Training, Lessons
- Engineering
- Events and entertainment
- Financial and Insurance Services
- Home, Building and Trade
- Hospitality
- IT, Computer and Technology
- Marketing, Business, and Legal
- Medical, Wellness and Beauty
- Public Service and Government
- Security Systems and Protection
- Telecommunication
- Trade and Industry
- Transport
Joining the Marketplace on Yep!
The website explains that “as a valued Yellow Pages customers, businesses have been pre-selected, and the platform is free to use and grow the business.”
and is rallied by Telkom Business. Businesses from across the country can construct their own e-commerce storefront on-platform. As an additional value add, Yep also offers clients a variety of premium services like digital marketing packages, website packages and business tools like reputation management.
Your customers are able to request quotes, book appointments and even chat with a business owner.
Become Listed on Yep!
You can list your business either by logging in through Facebook, or using your e-mail address or phone number to sign up.
The steps below outline how to list your business on the Yep! marketplace.
Step 1: Describe Your Business
Start by adding a description that provides customers insight about what you specialise in and what they can expect from you.
Step 2: Drop a Location Pin
An easy-to-use pin location helps you to show customers where your business is based.
Step 3: Design Your Look
Next, you can make changes to your online shopfront to stand-out in search results and give your business an unforgettable and unique appearance.
Step 4: Define Your Services
This is where you will take the tim to list all your business services (not the products you sell). It’s a good idea to have the here so you can easily update them as your business expands.
Step 5: Determine Your Hours
Your hours indicate your hours of operation or office hours. If you have a 24-hour availability, then you can indicate this as well.
Step 6: Share Your Handles
Lastly, share all the information about where customers can find you business online. If you struggle at any point to join the platform, you can reach out to their support by sending an e-mail to support@yep.co.za.
There are many reasons to join a digital marketplace, but the most important is that it increases your reach and gives you the opportunity to meet new clients. Add your business and start connecting with clients.
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