South African start-up PointMe has opened early registrations for service providers as it prepares to launch its local services marketplace in Gauteng. The company said Johannesburg will be its first focus market.
The platform is meant to link customers with nearby service providers. According to the company, these include salons, spas, barbershops, nail technicians, dentists, plumbers and florists.
“Too many excellent local service providers remain difficult to discover, not because they lack skill, but because customers cannot easily find, assess or book them when the need arises,” said Matthew Olugbemi, Director of Product and Operations at PointMe.
“PointMe is being built to close that gap,” Olugbemi said. He said the company wants to give providers a stronger online presence and practical tools to manage their work.
“Our goal is simple. Help good businesses get found, turn interest into bookings and build lasting customer relationships,” he said.
PointMe said the app will bring customer searches, bookings and business admin tools into one place. Customers would be able to look for local services and set up appointments without using several different channels.
For providers, the company said the main benefit is less time spent handling enquiries and bookings. That would leave them more time to do the actual work for their clients.
The report described the daily problem many small operators face. A hairstylist with back-to-back clients, a plumber at an emergency job or a busy barber must also answer phone calls, WhatsApp messages and social media questions.
Some customers may find a salon on Instagram but then struggle to confirm a booking. Others may hear about a local artisan but have no easy way to check when that person is free.
According to the report, these small hurdles can decide whether a customer’s interest turns into paid work. Skilled businesses may lose jobs simply because people cannot find or book them easily.
The report said online visibility matters more for providers in busy city markets such as Johannesburg, Sandton, Soweto and Pretoria. Many smaller businesses do not have the money or staff to build their own websites or booking systems.
Unlike larger firms with marketing teams, many independent providers handle their own customer messages, scheduling and daily admin. This makes it hard to run the business while also serving customers.
The report said such tools do not have to replace the personal ties that community businesses depend on. They can make it easier for people to find, contact and support providers near them.
The platform is still in its early stages. PointMe said service providers who want to be among the first to try it can now register.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Lifestyle & Tech. Image: Lifestyle & Tech. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Technology desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Werner Jacobs covers technology for Tzaneen Voice. Werner reports on mobile networks, data prices, internet access, smartphones, apps, AI, cybersecurity and South African tech companies. Each story explains what a new product, price change or policy means for ordinary users in South Africa.