I was honoured when I found out I had been featured on the online web directory OfLocal on their “Best Food Bloggers in Cape Town” list. Little did I know that someone would submit for me to appear on their “Best Private Chefs in Cape Town” list too.
I suppose in this case the biggest part of the honour is being featured alongside Cape Town’s cream of the crop and good friends, Jason Whitehead and Matt Manning. (pictured below)
When I first found out I’d been featured on OfLocal I caught up with entrepreneur and creator of the site, Joubert Botha and did a write up on it, herewith a recap of some of the info he shared with me, for those reading about it for the first time.
* What exactly is OfLocal?
OfLocal is a community-driven platform that compiles Top 10 lists of everything. Users are able to vote for entries and contribute to each other’s lists. Businesses will find good value in being listed on OfLocal as it could be a great source of new business leads.
* Regarding restaurant and accommodation lists, which there is no shortage of online in South Africa, what sets OfLocal apart from the rest?
The existing model is nothing new, but OfLocal is based on user votes that manipulate the listing order in real-time. Restaurants and accommodation venues can encourage their audiences and clients to vote for their entry (once a week). The voting process is simple with an anonymous or a logged-in option available – both count.
* How would OfLocal benefit either say a restaurant or accommodation venue or any business, for that matter, which is listed?
Businesses that feature within the top 10 in each list would stand out as the recommended entries based on community votes. The obvious benefit would be that new customers would be intrigued to try restaurants or accommodations or businesses rated highly by the community.
* Would establishments listed get publicly recognised for achieving a placed (1st) position on a specific list?
The voting cycle on OfLocal spans 12 months, whereafter the top 5 placements in each category will be awarded with an OfLocal badge of recognition. This adds additional credibility to the brand or establishment and would more than likely result in more business.
* Are lists fixed or can the public get involved to add to a current list or create a new one?
Anyone can register with their Facebook account and create their own list of a specific category. The public can also add entries to an existing list.
How do you see OfLocal growing over the next few years?
Our aim is to consolidate the business, attract funds and ultimately take it into foreign markets.
…………………………………………………………..
So in ending, I am encouraging you, my readers to get involved, visit OfLocal to find the best of anything and everything you may be looking for in a specific region, but also go and vote for me and your favourites. Pretty please. I would be eternally grateful.
You can vote here: Best Private Chefs Cape Town / Best Food Bloggers Cape Town
