By Sizakele Nduli
Navigating the world of digital marketing can be daunting, especially for small business owners who may not be tech-savvy. But Joburg-based couple Thabang and Mathapelo Moye have come up with a solution to assist businesspeople to maximise their brands online. They run Ourlives Marketplace, a vibrant hub that serves as the go-to destination for local brands, whether products or services, where businesses can thrive, connect with customers, and access affordable, tailored marketing solutions to help them succeed in a competitive market.
It is also a platform for customers looking to purchase products or access services, all of which are proudly local, by locals. “This business-to-consumers marketplace is for professionals, stylish intellectuals, and brand-conscious individuals who want to plough back and support local businesses while learning and drawing inspiration from each other. “We want to put local brands in front of thousands of customers who are actively searching to support small businesses,” Thabang Moye told Vutivi News.
“Within our platform, thousands of people around the country connect, both online and offline, to sell and buy unique local products or services. Our lives Marketplace is about supporting local businesses and helping to create and maintain jobs by helping them succeed,” Moye explained. For R350 per month, enterprises listed on the platform can access ongoing marketing services that increase their brand visibility.
Clients benefit from a range of comprehensive, tailored marketing services designed to meet their specific needs and objectives. “We also offer a variety of other advertising opportunities, sponsored content, brand profile articles, press releases, competitions, campaigns, video brand profiles, brand placement on our YouTube videos, online banners, Facebook Ads, and Google Adwords, and let the campaigns do the selling,” said Moye, who is a digital strategist by profession.
“… It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. We analyse the brand, its target market, and its location, and then we do marketing based on that.” Moye further highlighted the value of the platform, saying that when small businesses considered adopting digital tools, one of the most significant challenges was budget constraints or an unwillingness to allocate funds for marketing and digital transformation.
