At Bob Shop, we believe ecommerce should be open to all, regardless of tech skills, location, or business size. By offering flexible selling options, secure payments, reliable delivery, and real support, we’re breaking down barriers and helping more South Africans take part in the digital economy. This blog looks at how we’re making online buying and selling easier and more inclusive for everyone.

How do you define ‘accessible,’ and what barriers are you breaking down?

At Bob Shop, we believe ecommerce should be as inclusive as possible. That means making it easy for anyone to buy or sell online, no matter where they are or whether they are an individual or a formal business.

For buyers, we offer a wide range of secure, intuitive payment options. We also connect our sellers to reputable couriers for a consistently smooth delivery experience. 

We give our sellers more freedom than most other marketplaces, including the option to sell new, secondhand or refurbished items at a fixed price or  through an auction. Whether you are running a small side hustle or a full-time online store, we want you to feel at home on Bob Shop.

What features or policies does Bob Shop have to support first-time sellers or buyers who are new to online shopping?

Getting started with online shopping or selling can be a little overwhelming at first, so we’ve really focused on  making Bob Shop a welcoming space. 

We offer a detailed knowledge base at help.bobshop.co.za that covers just about everything buyers and sellers need to know, while  our support team is always just a phone call or email away. You can reach us on 010 005 6200 or at hello@bobshop.co.za.

For sellers, we also host regular Seller Meetups. These sessions are a great way to learn the ropes, ask questions and get advice from people who’ve been doing this for a while. We try to keep things practical and helpful, so everyone walks away with something that they can usefully apply to their own online business – especially if they are just starting out.  

What’s your strategy for reaching underserved demographics?

Just because someone is less familiar with technology or lives in a remote area, that’s no reason for them to feel excluded from the benefits of ecommerce. 

With the help of our courier partners, we can deliver to just about anywhere in South Africa. We are also rolling out our Bob Box secure pick-up/drop-off lockers to make deliveries easier for people who live in inaccessible areas or work somewhere that can’t receive packages. 

Describe one friction point in traditional ecommerce that Bob Shop has solved for the mass market.

Ecommerce has traditionally wrestled with finding the right balance between trust and flexibility. Some marketplaces are too open, which can make payments and delivery feel risky. Others are so strict that selling anything even slightly out of the ordinary becomes a headache.

At Bob Shop, we’ve found a middle ground that works. We offer the structure and safety people need (secure payments, supported shipping, real customer support) while still giving sellers the freedom to list a wide range of products. In this way, we’ve created an ecommerce space that isn’t restrictive, but which still feels trustworthy.

With a large, diverse user base, how does Bob Shop maintain trust and prevent fraud or scams?

Our dedicated security team is focused on keeping the marketplace safe for everyone.

Because we handle both payments and deliveries, we’re able to step in and make sure things are moving along as promised. If something goes wrong, we’re there to help sort it out.

We also require all sellers to verify their identity before using our platform. This helps us build a safer space for both buyers and sellers, and gives everyone a bit more peace of mind. Plus, our Buyer Protection Programme (BPP) provides additional peace of mind for online shoppers. 

What is your approach to customer support for a high-volume, mass-market audience?

Whether you prefer to pick up the phone, send an email or chat with us live, we’re here to make sure you get the help you need quickly and easily. No robots, no runaround – just real humans with a passion for customer service. 

Describe a ‘hidden gem’ feature of Bob Shop that sets you apart.

One feature that not everyone knows about is our “Make an Offer” option. On certain listings, sellers can choose to let buyers make a reasonable offer on the price. The seller can then accept, decline or even negotiate by making a counteroffer.

It’s a real win-win: buyers can often get a better deal, and sellers get the chance to close a sale faster. It adds a nice bit of flexibility and human interaction that sets us apart from more rigid marketplaces.

How does Bob Shop empower small businesses or individuals who couldn’t previously access ecommerce?

Bob Shop is a great launchpad for small businesses and individuals. It’s easy to get started, and the platform makes it simple to test the market without needing to make significant upfront investments or hire a tech team.

With over a million users visiting the site each month, listed products can get noticed quickly. That kind of exposure can be a game changer for a lot of small sellers.

We also work with retailers who already have their own online stores, helping them sync their products to Bob Shop to reach a wider audience. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, we make it easier to take that next step.

Can you share a story of a seller or buyer whose life and business changed because of Bob Shop’s accessibility?

One of my favourite stories is about a Bob Shop seller called “Traderouteauctions.” He started out with a career in engineering and began selling a few items online as a side hustle. Over time, that little side project grew, and today he runs his own full-time business selling pre-loved electronics on Bob Shop.

It’s a great example of how accessible ecommerce can open new doors. With the right platform and a bit of drive, what starts as a small experiment can turn into a whole new career.

What role do you see Bob Shop playing in the future of inclusive digital commerce?

We see Bob Shop as a gateway into the world of ecommerce. Whether you’re a small business, a casual seller or just testing the waters, it’s a great place to reach new customers and start building your online presence. 

But Bob Shop is also just one part of a bigger picture. Through the wider Bob Group ecosystem, we offer tools for selling, payments, order management and shipping – in fact, everything you need to grow in the digital space.

Ultimately, we want to play a meaningful role in every South African’s ecommerce journey, no matter where they’re starting from.