This SMART 100 profile and the information it contains is a duplication of content submitted by the applicant during the entry process. As a function of entry, applicants were required to declare that all details are factually correct, do not infringe on another’s intellectual property and are not unlawful, threatening, defamatory, invasive of privacy, obscene, or otherwise objectionable. Some profiles have been edited for reasons of space and clarity.
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1. THE BEGINNING
This innovation initially came to life when…
Co-founder/CEO Marcus Lim needed renovations done in his apartment, but had difficulty finding someone affordable and trustworthy to complete the job.
After experiencing how time consuming and inefficient combing through the Yellow Pages was, Marcus recognised a gap in the market for an easier, faster and more affordable process to hire a local service provider.
He approached his good friend Adam Dong with the idea — the combination of Marcus’s extensive business knowledge and experience, and Adam’s online expertise, allowed the pair to build Oneflare.com.au in 2011 (initially named PickAQuote.com.au).
2. WHAT & HOW
The purpose of this innovation is to…
…make the search for a local provider easier and faster for Australians. With over 60,000 registered businesses Australia-wide, Oneflare’s model lets local businesses bid for work, so Aussies are guaranteed a great deal.
It does this by…
…providing a free platform for customers to simply make a request and then receive all the information needed to compare and hire the best business for the job.
Instead of calling around to chase quotes, Oneflare allows customers to post a job, read reviews, and compare quotes from qualified local businesses.
3. PURPOSE & BENEFITS
This innovation improves on what came before because…
…customers no longer have to waste hours flicking through local directories or classifieds. With Oneflare, customers can now book jobs with their smartphone, tablet or laptop, and manage the entire process from any device.
Oneflare also does all the hard work for customers by providing competitive quotes, ratings, customer reviews and certifications.
Its various benefits to the customer/end-user include…
…saving customers significant amounts of time and money when hiring businesses, allowing customers to book jobs on the go from any device, and providing them with business profiles, license checks, and customer reviews all in one easy to use platform.
4. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
In the past, this problem was solved by…
…relying on physical directories like the Yellow Pages or classified websites like Gumtree.
However, these channels are inefficient, as they require customers to spend lengthy periods of time hunting down the most reasonable quote from a trusted business.
With Oneflare, comparing quotes and finding a reliable business can be done in one easy location.
Its predecessors/competitors include…
…service marketplaces like Hipages and ServiceCentral. Our reviews and ratings set us apart, allowing customers to verify reputable businesses. We also support local businesses, giving them a fair chance to secure more work.
5. TARGET MARKET
It is made for…
Australians looking to save time and money when hiring trusted local service providers — from electricians, to accountants, to interior designers.
The platform has more than 60,000 registered businesses across 200 service categories, so customers can rest assured they will be connected with a trusted and qualified professional. Local businesses bid for work, so Aussies are guaranteed a great deal within hours of posting a job.
It’s also designed for local service providers looking to generate quality leads and new customers, without having to actively source work. Some businesses have experienced 40 per cent job request growth since signing up with Oneflare.
It is available for sale through…
Oneflare.com.au where customers provide details of the service they require and shortly after are sent competitive quotes from trusted local businesses. After comparing prices and reviews, customers can hire a business through the website.
Our marketing strategy is to…
…promote our trusted businesses and reward loyal customers through promotions, home inspirations and expert tips. We offer a demand-based service, so we strive to create strong awareness of our brand.
Our strategy focuses on reminding time-poor Australians that we’re here to help and connect them to the best businesses in the most convenient and time efficient way.
FINE PRINT: This SMART 100 profile and the information it contains is a duplication of content submitted by the applicant during the entry process. As a function of entry, applicants were required to declare that all details are factually correct, do not infringe on another’s intellectual property and are not unlawful, threatening, defamatory, invasive of privacy, obscene, or otherwise objectionable. Some profiles have been edited for reasons of space and clarity.
