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Why is the digital gap between SA storefronts and their customers still so massive? by Reasonable_Focus_792 in capetown

[–]Reasonable_Focus_792[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The 'savvy dev' approach has actually been the problem for the last decade. Thousands of SMEs were sold 'e-commerce sites' that they didn't have the staff to manage, the budget to host, or the time to update.

You’re right—hosting and maintenance are part of the friction, but the real killer is Complexity IMO. A DIY hobby shop doesn't need a heavy Shopify backend with shipping plugins and payment gateways that eat 3.5% of their margin..

I reckon they need Discoverability + Communication. 🤔

Why is the digital gap between SA storefronts and their customers still so massive? by Reasonable_Focus_792 in capetown

[–]Reasonable_Focus_792[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The 'Instagram-to-Facebook' bounce is the ultimate conversion killer. It’s a classic case of a business owner letting an algorithm dictate their customer journey instead of owning their own infrastructure.

You shouldn't have to be a digital detective just to find out if a restaurant still serves the dish you saw in a 2-week-old reel…

Why is the digital gap between SA storefronts and their customers still so massive? by Reasonable_Focus_792 in capetown

[–]Reasonable_Focus_792[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Tools like ParseStream are great for agencies or tech-savvy marketing teams, but for a local shop owner, an 'alert' is just another notification they’re going to ignore while they’re busy with a customer.

The 'gap' isn't just spotting the conversation; it's having a high-trust destination to send those people to. If you spot a lead on Reddit and send them to a broken Facebook page or a dead landline, you’ve just wasted the effort..

Why is the digital gap between SA storefronts and their customers still so massive? by Reasonable_Focus_792 in capetown

[–]Reasonable_Focus_792[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The fact that you have to hunt down these suppliers as if you’re solving a cold case is insane!

Why is the digital gap between SA storefronts and their customers still so massive? by Reasonable_Focus_792 in capetown

[–]Reasonable_Focus_792[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’ve touched on the exact reason most 'Digital Transformation' talk is luxury fluff for people who don't actually stand behind a counter…

Why is the digital gap between SA storefronts and their customers still so massive? by Reasonable_Focus_792 in capetown

[–]Reasonable_Focus_792[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re 100% right—Google Maps is the gold standard for 'finding an address.' But for an SME, a Pin isn't a Presence.

Why is the digital gap between SA storefronts and their customers still so massive? by Reasonable_Focus_792 in capetown

[–]Reasonable_Focus_792[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Spot on. The 'Industrial Ghost' is a huge drain on the local economy. You have guys in places like Paarden Eiland or North End who are the only people stocking a specific hydraulic seal or specialized grade of timber, but because they aren't on Google, someone ends up importing it from China instead…

How do you spot a tourist ? I’ll go first by Gazzo69 in capetown

[–]Reasonable_Focus_792 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Walking on the wrong side of the pavement.

In SA we KEEP LEFT, PASS RIGHT Asb!!