hipages, one of the top Australian platforms for finding and hiring home service providers, recently acquired StartLocal, to expand its offering in Australia and make finding a local tradie even easier.
StartLocal is one of the largest online directories and search engines for verified Australian businesses, where 600,000 monthly unique visitors connect with more than 180,000 verified local businesses and professionals.
The integration will turn StartLocal into a two-sided marketplace, where customers will not only be able to find local professionals, but also get a quote and book required services through the website. The integration will complement hipages’ existing services in home improvement, natural health and pets sectors, with an opportunity to expand into other fields in the future.
Founded in 2004 by David Vitek and Roby Sharon-Zipser, hipages is one of Australia’s largest on-demand home improvement marketplaces. The platform connects consumers looking to hire plumbers, electricians, builders and over 240 other categories, with pre-screened home improvement professionals in their local area.
With over $1.35 billion worth of jobs processed yearly, hipages has helped over 1.1 million Australians get projects done around the home, bringing people together and helping homeowners find professionals that are ready and available to do the job. Customers can see reviews, contact businesses directly and get quotes within minutes.
What does this mean for hipages and StartLocal?
“We’re thrilled to bring the StartLocal team, technology, and community into our platform. Co-founders Robin Sallay and Brad Slade-Smith have built a tremendous business and we’re looking forward to bringing it to the hipages family, said hipages CEO, David Vitek.
“Before hipages, Aussies used to rely on outdated and limited information from pamphlets, fridge magnets or the yellow door-stopper. hipages has completely changed how consumers hire tradies. It lets you review, connect, hire, schedule and pay tradies in an interactive app. With over a hundred thousand recommendations and real time information about tradies, getting help has become entirely hassle-free”, said Vitek.
“Robin and I have worked hard to build a site that Australians can trust to help connect them with local businesses. Joining hipages will help us complete the goal of connecting all Australians with great local businesses”, said Brad Slade-Smith, co-founder of StartLocal.
“We are excited to be part of hipages mission, connecting homeowners with the best local tradies for any job they need done”, said Slade-Smith.
The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, follows the recent investment by News Corp for a minority stake in hipages.
Along with StartLocal, the acquisition includes several other assets and domains such as, Home Service Engine, Aussie Tradesman User Guide and StartLocal India.
