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In the recent past, home-based entrepreneurship has seen a boom, particularly in India. As it allows an entrepreneur to work from the comfort of their home, letting them focus more on local customers for the expansion of his/her business.
Another major factor supporting the growth of home-based entrepreneurs in India is the COVID-19 outbreak which saw people buying and selling from nearby locations.
Fortunately, there are various apps that have made it easy to attract and engage with the local audience.
Top seven apps for home-based entrepreneurs
1. WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp Business is a highly effective tool for small business owners and entrepreneurs. It has become an indispensable platform to communicate with customers and promote products or services locally because of its billions of users around the world.
Key Features:
- Business Profile: Create a professional business profile with essential details like address, description, and website.
- Automated Responses: Set up quick replies and automated messages to respond to customer inquiries instantly.
- Product Catalogue : Display your availability through an integral catalogue feature in WhatsApp Business.
- Broadcast lists : Send texts or promotional offers to a given number of consumers in one batch.
Reason for it’s growing use by home-based entrepreneurs:
Since WhatsApp Business application is free with simple usage for contacting local customer, it creates the best rapport between the vendor and the potential consumer.
2. Instagram
Instagram is more than a social networking site; it‘s a tool for visual storytelling, and for entrepreneurs, this is an ideal platform to put forward their products or services in different creative ways.
Key Features
- Visual Content: Share photos and videos to promote your offerings.
- Stories and Reels: These are used to create short-form engaging content.
- Hashtags: Use location-specific hashtags to target local customers.
- Shoppable Posts: Enables customers to purchase from your posts directly.
With its visual appeal and localized marketing tools, Instagram is a must-have app for businesses looking to attract and engage a younger, image-driven audience.
3. Google My Business
Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool that enables entrepreneurs to handle their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps.
Key Features:
- Business Listing: Add your business name, location, and contact details for better visibility.
- Customer Reviews: Collect and respond to reviews to build trust.
- Insights: Track how customers are finding and interacting with your business.
- Post Updates: Share news, offers, and updates to engage your audience.
GMB is important for local visibility. It helps your business show up when customers search for products or services in your area, increasing your chances of attracting nearby customers.
4. Neighbrsnook
Neighbrsnook is a new platform that is designed to connect entrepreneurs and local communities more effectively. It offers neighbourhood-level interaction, so it is perfect for home-based businesses.
Key Features:
- Local Listings: Promote your business within your neighbourhood.
- Community Engagement: Interact with potential customers through forums and posts.
- Event Promotion: Share details about sales, pop-ups, or other local events.
- Customised Recommendations: Reach customers based on their preferences and location.
- Genuine Ratings and Reviews: Neighbrsnook ensures that verified profiles that furnish a proof of residence are onboarded. This means that the ratings and reviews that you see are genuine and from the experience of your neighbours.
Neighbrsnook would suit entrepreneurs that aim to solidify their position locally and genuinely engage with people living in close proximity. A hyperlocal orientation of the platform is certain to hone the efforts.
5. Dunzo
Dunzo is a delivery application that helps small businesses and entrepreneurs deliver the product to the customers in their own locality. It is readily available in all the urban areas across India.
Notable Features:
- On-demand delivery: Delivers products at the customers‘ doorsteps in real time.
- Partner support: Tools for small businesses are designed keeping in mind the efficiency of deliveries.
- Real-time tracking: Increase trust and reliability in customers through real-time tracking of orders.
Dunzo is the best option if you sell physical products and want to offer hassle-free delivery. It saves time and ensures customer satisfaction with prompt service.
6. Facebook Business Suite
Facebook Business Suite brings together the might of Facebook and Instagram into one place, so entrepreneurs can manage their social media presence.
Key Features:
- Unified Inbox: Manage messages and comments from Facebook and Instagram in one place.
- Content Scheduling: Plan and schedule posts in advance.
- Insights: Track engagement metrics and audience demographics.
- Localised Ads: Create ads targeting specific locations to reach local customers.
Facebook Business Suite simplifies social media management and provides tools to target local customers effectively. It’s a great choice for entrepreneurs aiming to grow their business online.
7. UrbanClap (now Urban Company)
UrbanClap, now rebranded as Urban Company, is a service provider-to-customer platform which is especially good for home-based service entrepreneurs.
Key Features
- Service Listings: Add your services and expertise to attract local customers.
- Verified Reviews: Construct reputation with customer reviews and ratings.
- Targeted Reach: Connect with customers based on locations and service requirements.
- Booking Management: Streamlined booking process for hassle-free scheduling.
- Why It’s Ideal for Home-Based Entrepreneurs
For those offering services such as home cleaning, beauty, or repairs, the platform is a very effective means to gain visibility and attract local customers.
Conclusion
The opportunity to attract local customers as a home-based entrepreneur has never been easier, thanks to the plentiful number of apps. By using communication tools like WhatsApp Business or hyperlocal platforms such as Neighbrsnook, these apps provide unique features that help people grow their businesses. Choose the ones that can fit your needs, and watch your local customer base expand!