Zimbabwe’s second largest media house announces launch of online classifieds

L.S.M Kabweza Avatar

Traditionally, newspapers owned classifieds. Some newspaper consumers (desperate home and job seekers) even bought (well, still buy) the whole paper just to look at the classifieds section. On the internet though, classifieds as a business was taken from the paper companies. Internet startups, internet only startups to be specific, proactively built brands, huge audiences and businesses based only on classifieds. This happened right before the eyes of the newspaper companies, and in most cases, even with the assistance of. But they’re beginning to wake up to the internet opportunity. Late, but not too late. Such is the story of Alpha Media Holdings and their newly launched myclassfieds.co.zw.

If there’s a type of company every classifieds wannabe startup envies it’s the newspapers. A wide distribution, a large customer base (slowly dwindling but game changing nonetheless) and the much needed chicken in the classifieds chicken and egg conundrum that these startups face. The content source that feeds the thousands of classifieds ads on the paper each morning being the chicken. Alpha may have woken up to this. Of course the internet is a whole different ball game and having content is not equal to executing successfully, but waking up alone in a market largely asleep is quite noteworthy.

The site itself is a standard classifieds site, with standard classifieds tools, bells and whistles. Responsive site, free ad posting with limits, storefronts and paid promoted ads in searches and categories (the standard classifieds revenue model so far), email alerts.

There a few differences though; like the fact that theirs also acts as a directory listing physical business outlets like EcoCash agents, flea markets, malls etc… We’re guessing this was spurred by the need to have the new service look content rich. According to executives at the company they already have 300 storefronts and some 4,000 ad listings.

In terms of competition locally they are running against classifieds.co.zw, Dipleague, and the offline guys, (including their own offline). In future we’re guessing the Zimpapers group will be next to wake and come fight for some online market share. They have indicated already they’ll be paying more attention to the internet. In fact, the honest truth is that Zimpapers are the sleeping giant here. This ofcourse doesn’t imply that if they decide to play, they’ll win. Different ball game.

The Alpha Media Group Chairman, Trevor Ncube, says in a release sent out to announce the new classifieds service:

This investment is a recognition that a big part, of our audience has moved from print to digital platforms. This audience is younger, smarter and loves their mobile phones. But they are not in love with newspapers. While over 90% of our revenues still come from our print products our audience has changed consumption habits. We are thus future proofing our business. Myclassifieds.co.zw sits very well with our investment in mobi news. We have to place our independent content on platforms where our readers are.

10 comments

  1. guest

    and its worth mentioning too that this, as well as all AMH sites are hosted in South Africa! well done, i see this classifieds site disappearing in the near future as have all the others.

    1. TeamClassifieds

      not if we can help it…..#TeamClassifieds

  2. SoTypMe

    Does the top barner really have to be yellow

  3. c3p0

    Honestly, that website is ugly and not-so-user friendly… Half my screen of my Sony Vaio E series was swallowed by the banner…

  4. JohnyBravo

    Zimbabwe and Africa still has a long way to go in creating products that look good. This site maybe great but first impressions have discouraged me from putting confidence in it. The same goes for that other site too. UUUUGLY.

  5. JohnyBravo

    Just to prove my point check out this classifieds website from Singapore. http://www.stclassifieds.sg/

  6. shona hondo

    or Take a look at http://www.bargains.co.zw the site that has the best classifieds app:Zwb
    ON ANDROID TABLETS , IPADS AND SMARTPHONES.
    other sites chose to ignore this

  7. Zimpapers' HY results and the challenges of a digital future the company faces – Techzim

    […] Zimpapers even began to take notice of the internet. Other local print publications like AMH have also tried classifieds with similarly lacklustre […]

  8. weka

    Classifieds are not that easy, even zimpapers and many other players are struggling due to spam and unwanted staff. There is only one company in zimbabwe that has done well in classifieds and their tricky is via strict verification. i see http://zimclassifieds.net also strugling with just one thing per page showing again that this is not for small guys

  9. Abubakar Ismail

    Good Day Sir/Madam: Do you need an urgent loan to finance your business or in any purpose? We are certified and legitimate and international licensed loan lender we offer loans to Business firms. Individuals, companies firms, corporate bodies at an affordable interest rate of 3%. It might be a short or long term loan or even if you have poor credit. We shall process your loan as soon as we receive your application. We are an independent financial institution. We have built up an excellent reputation over the years in providing various types of loans to thousands of our customers. We offer Educational loan, Business loan, home loan, Agricultural loan, Personal loan, Auto loan with either a good or bad credit history. If you are interested in our above loan offer you are advice to fill the below information and return to us for more details. You can contact us with this email (abubakarismail199@gmail.com) we shall respond to you as soon as we receive your loan application details below.
    Thanks and look forward to your prompt reply.
    Regards,

2023 © Techzim All rights reserved. Hosted By Cloud Unboxed