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Business News Wales Meets: Michael O’Neill, Co-Founder of Uddr

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Uddr, a new mobile app, provides an innovative and easy way for business to access a cost-effective marketing solution to reach new customers in their local area.

 

We spoke to Co-Founder Michael O’Neill to find out more about the business.

What is the story behind Uddr, in particular, it’s unique name?

The concept was originally formed by the idea of creating an app which users could order and pay for their daily milk delivery through (hence the name). We quickly realised that the app could serve as a one-stop-shop to find, contact and book all types of local services. This is now the case with everything from plasterers to poets and window cleaners to wedding specialists featuring their businesses on the app. With more and more people searching for recommendations for local services in their area online and a willingness to support local businesses, we believe that we have provided the perfect simple solution to this, whilst providing an affordable marketing avenue for small and medium sized businesses.

Can you tell us about the journey to bringing the Uddr app online?

Having thought of the concept, the next stage was to work out how to get the app built. Having explored several different avenues, we felt that keeping in tune with the values of the business that we were best served finding a local app development specialist. We pitched the idea to local digital transformation and software specialists Arthurly, also based in Torfaen, they loved the idea and the rest is history.

How does Uddr help businesses?

We set out to provide a simple, innovative, interactive and cost-effective method for businesses to reach new customers locally and simplify dealing with existing customers. With the app already generating enquiries and jobs for our partners via the WhatsApp integration, we believe that companies and users love the simplicity and are starting to see that reaching new customers via modern digital methods doesn’t have to be expensive. At just £100 for a yearly subscription we believe we have created an extremely competitively priced alternative digital marketing method for companies of all sizes and types.

What has been the reaction so far to the app?

Since launching, several thousand people have already downloaded it and the app is regularly providing our partners with enquiries and jobs across South Wales. We’ve also been blown away by the support and feedback from partners that have joined and users of the app in general so far. The amount of positive reviews, testimonials and positive comments in general has been something particularly pleasing and is proof that the app is out there doing what we set out to do.

Since launching in May, the number of partners joining has been very encouraging, with new businesses being added every day across a range of categories and locations. Download numbers are continuing to rise day by day too and once people discover how simple and quick the app is to use they keep coming back to it to find and contact different services.

Is there any advice you’d like to give those who are also looking into developing an app?

We were very fortunate that we had a successful digital transformation and app development company, Arthurly, on our doorstep in Torfaen. We have worked and continue to work very closely with the Arthuly team throughout the development, launch and continual improvement of the app and couldn’t recommend them more to anyone looking to develop an app. The advice I would give is to ask yourself will the app serve a purpose, and will it make life easier for the user or provide something a bit different. I would also be mindful that app development is a continual process and therefore choosing the right technology partner could not only save you time but a considerable amount of money due to the ongoing maintenance and development that will be required along the way.

What’s on the horizon for Uddr?

We have big plans for uddr, with new businesses being added each day across South Wales and plans to start moving further afield into new territories also in place. We are currently working on a major update to the app that will further improve the user experience and provide additional feature based on the feedback we have received. Following this we have started to plan some game-changing advancements to our systems that really will set us apart and provide our partners with even more added value in terms of lead generation. Keep an eye on our social media pages and website for our latest news and developments.

Business News Wales