16 Oct 2017

In today’s technologically driven world with an estimated population of 2.2 million, 1.4 million of the population uses the Internet in Botswana as per BOCRA statistics.
Bargain Hub business development partner, Mr Archie Thembe explained at the official launch of the Bargain Hub website in Gaborone recently that the hub was an online platform consolidating promotional leaflets, capturing latest specials or sales from different retailers into one single portal.
He said the platform provided a mutually beneficial relationship between the retailer and the consumer. He noted that the retailer had the opportunity of reaching more consumers and that consumers could at the click of a button access products of their desires.

He also pointed out that the Bargain Hub opened a new avenue of advertising that was previously unavailable to retailers. However, Mr Thembe emphasised that to ensure a high level of traffic, the Bargain Hub would have a dedicated resource operating on social media accounts in the form of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to give updates on the latest developments. He said according to the Internet world statistics Botswana’s social media penetration stood at 29.4 per cent as of March 31 2017, adding that it was the potential target market that the Bargain Hub would be opening up for retailers advertising site.

Mr Thembe also stated that the Bargain Hub would be active as a website with a presence in the main social media platforms pushing advertisements to users, hence widening the pipeline of advertisements.
Mr Thembe noted that the Bargain Hub would be offering a free trial period that began from October 11, 2017 until November 23, 2017 whereby they would be offering their services for free to provide assurance to clients that the Bargain Hub would be a worthy investment.
He said at the end of the trial retailers would be provided with statistics indicating the additional reach they were exposed to by being on the website.

Mr Thembe stated that as from December 1, 2017 retailers would have the option to sign up for the paid advertising services. Explaining the functionality of the website, the managing director of Bargain Hub, Mr Daniel Moalusi said the site consisted of a big burner that drew attention to viewers with enhanced visibility.
He said the site provided search engines where a user could enter a search criteria for a product they were looking for, adding that the search was executed across all leaflets on the site and that the results would be returned with the product name, price and name of the retailer.

Mr Moalusi emphasised that the target market could log on the site and view leaflets and zoom in specific products that they have interest in.
He stressed that the site also provided notification of specific items. He said customers could enter specifications on unavailable items they were looking for and be notified if they happened to be on promotion. ENDS