Online classified company OLX has lauched a new app and upgraded its website to provide its users an easier, faster, safer, and more local way of buying and selling used goods.
The change which is part of the firm’s global move to solidify its leading position includes upgrading of its security features to give users the most secure experience when trading through OLX.
Both buyers and sellers will need to register/login on the platform with verification happening either via mobile phone or through Face book. Users will now have a profile, be able to see who they are talking to, and through Face book verification, will be able to see if they have any mutual friends in common. This new layer of security will help to further prevent potential scammers and fraud for OLX users.
“This is our biggest update to date to the platform.We have improved every aspect of the OLX user experience, reaching a level of innovation that we are incredibly proud of,” said Sjoerd Nikkelen, OLX’s chief executive Africa and Middle East
Further more, OLX has changed the way its products are displayed to users. The listings now appear in an intuitive newsfeed-style layout, similar to social media platforms.
By using a device’s built-in GPS, the geolocation system will look at where a user is and which offers are available in their area. The search area expands as users scroll through the listings. All the regular search functions, such as category and product filtering, will still be available.
”This new platform will ensure better quality ads for buyers, which is an important differentiator between OLX and its competitors. It is supported by a large team of moderators who check thousands of ads on a daily basis. OLX also uses a sophisticated algorithm that is able to pick up controversial or potential scam ads,” added Nikkelen
In February this year, OLX announced closure of its Kenya and Nigeria offices, Sjoerd Nikkelen, OLX’s chief executive Africa and Middle East offices in a restructuring plan meant to cut operation costs amid stiff competition.
The firm however indicated that it will continue to operate in Kenya and Nigeria and pledged to focus on innovation to remain relevant to its users
Since its launch in 2006, OLX has surpassed social media platform Twitter with over 360-million page-views per day. The company targets high-growth markets and has over 300-million monthly users across 45 countries.
