The changeover will take place on Thursday, 15 June and will provide new and existing users with an easier, faster, safer, and more local way of buying and selling used goods.
Through a number of new features, OLX has created the safest online classifieds platform in South Africa. The additional security gives 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 Facebook. Users will now have a profile, be able to see who they are talking to, and through Facebook 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 the platform since the OLX launch in 2012," says Sjoerd Nikkelen, OLX’s country manager, South Africa. “The new version not only includes significant improvements to current OLX systems but brand new features as well. We have dramatically improved every aspect of the OLX user experience, reaching a new level of innovation that we are incredibly proud of."
"The upgrades won't be rolled out incrementally, but rather all at once. We are not merely changing the homepage, but overhauling the entire system. The update is significant for OLX as it was born out of feedback from our customers," adds Nikkelen.
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.
The 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.
In order to keep making use of OLX, all users are encouraged to upgrade to the easier, faster, safer app. Those who don't will be unable to use the OLX app until they do.
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.
For more information, visit www.olx.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.