But it wasn’t easy to find a job because there were no listings. Butler says, “information was so difficult to find,” and from that observation came the decision to set up a job and property listing. “We poured all our money into it,” Butler recalled, and “shared a rented room with bunk beds.” Because “we had no technical background,” they hired someone to develop the site. It took six weeks, longer than promised, and went live on August 11, 2005. Most of their initial capital of $12,000 went into the site.
To get the word out five years ago before social media made it easy, they relied on personal contacts. They went around the city taking photos of people and handing out cards with photos. Google’s Ad Words was part of it, but they estimate 80-90 percent was word of mouth.
“As long as you stay afloat and create a community,” Whately explained, “you can succeed.” They knew, “monetization would come later” and always reinvested in the business. Two years later they hired the first employee, a salesman, and then three developers, starting the growth that would lead to the current 40 team members.
In the photo, only about half are present, typical of the active work style required of everyone at Dubizzle. The photos were taken in the company’s new offices on the 30th floor of Al Shatha Tower in Dubai Media City where Dubizzle is registered in the free zone.
Whately and Butler have come a long way since the bunk beds. Butler said Dubizzle is “very profitable” in the UAE. However, the money goes back into the business with expansion in the region. After Egypt and Saudi Arabia this month, Dubizzle looks to the rest of the GCC, then the Levant and North Africa. The reason for leaving Lebanon, Syria, and the Maghreb for the end is language.
Dubizzle is in Arabic in all its markets. Once the French version is ready, expansion will go into the markets where three languages, not just two, are needed. And that may not be the end of either expansion or languages. The founders agree that “maybe Asia” is a future destination for Dubbizle!
To know more about Tamakkan and the programme list:
http://www.abudhabitempo.com/abudhabievents/122_TAMAKKAN-14DEC.aspx
Attendance is free but registration is required. To register simply send an email to rizwana@brandmoxie.com, with your name, email and phone number.
SEE YOU ON 14 DECEMBER!
