Online Platforms Taking Over Physical Markets

Gone are the days one always needed to rush to the market to buy products even when the time was limiting.

Online platforms have really revolutionized the way people view markets with an internet penetration of 35.2 percent by December 2017 in Africa. Initially, to buy groceries, one would require a pair of closed shoes to maneuver the congested muddy paths, a number of shopping bags or a basket dependent on what one intended to shop and the volume.

Well, a section of Kenyans in their quest to make a living and keep off harassment from the city askari’s, have revolutionized the aspect of always visiting the market physically and has resulted to creating online markets.

Today, one only needs a smart electronic device and internet access to shop online.

      WhatsApp

WhatsApp application is not just easing the running of business today; it is also the platform where business is run.

Entrepreneurs create groups that gather people together in the App, just like normal markets where sellers call out to their customers; the group admins invite the public through current members, other social media platforms and through the word of mouth.

Entrepreneurs who have majored in the importation of goods have currently created an influx of the WhatsApp import groups. To attain the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ), a number of individuals come together to raise capital which has really been beneficial to those who not able to meet the MOQ by themselves.

WhatsApp is also facilitating communication between sellers and buyers as it provides a platform to exchange images and video where entrepreneurs can exchange pictures of their commodities.

Facebook

Facebook is another great marketing platform with over 7 million subscribers, translating to 68.14 percent, in Kenya alone.

It is the great numbers subscribing to the application that has induced the idea of individuals creating pages to tackle various issues in the society. Facebook groups and pages range from topics on beauty, weaning, financial saving, cancer support, lupus support, HIV/AIDS support amongst others with members brought together by a common challenge.

A majority of the famous groups have millions of members which to a business minded person, those are prospective customers. Most of the groups have certain days set aside for customers to post photos of their products which are commonly referred to as Market Days. Prospective clients scroll through the posts which are expected to have phone numbers and order what they like. The trick with selling online is to have sharp photos that attract your customers to click your post and see more.

Twitter

Twitter has been said, is where to get the big fish in the industry with 8.35 percent of social media users having the account.

Though Twitter is not as user-friendly as Facebook following its strict rules which lead to the suspension of accounts and eventual expelling, it is a great marketing platform though one has to grow their audience first. The platform enables one to post or tweet photographs and videos which the audience can share or rather retweet with the option of adding comments availed.

Instagram

Instagram is the social platform where more photographs and videos are most welcome. Colorful photographs attract the prospective customers who then reach the seller via the contacts provided against the photo or in the account.

Despite having the second least activity with 1.43 percent of the total social media users, it provides another opportunity to reach one more customer.