More South Africans are adopting a non-monogamous approach to employment. With the cost of living at an all-time high, from basic groceries to eye-watering fuel prices, having more than one job is no longer considered taboo. Like finding the perfect Tinder match, it can pay off to explore your options. For those thinking of experimenting with multiple income streams – or ‘polyjobbing’ – building your online presence is the first step to attracting new customers.
“A second income can extend your household budget, so you can still afford your daily coffee and croissant from the local bakery. The rise in remote work has made juggling more than one job a possibility – easier access to website and ecommerce tools also simplify the process of setting up a side hustle,” says Thomas Vollrath, head of local web hosting company 1-grid.com.
More than 50% of South Africa’s working population are already juggling more than one job, according to the Old Mutual Savings and Investment Monitor 2022. This includes freelance opportunities, part-time work, and entrepreneurship ventures. To get the most out of polyjobbing, Vollrath recommends getting started with building a website. This acts as a digital brochure of your products and services and is the first step in putting yourself out there – both locally and abroad.
“A website gives you the opportunity to differentiate your various offerings and build a distinct presence for each income stream – whether copyediting, personal training or selling home-made jewellery. It’s also a simple way to ensure your business is always online and connecting with customers, even when you’re busy with your nine to five,” says Vollrath.
As with any open relationship, it is important that everyone is on the same page – in this case, your primary employer. Employers should be fine with you polyjobbing, as long as it doesn’t interfere with their business. If you’re transparent with all parties and everyone is happy with the terms, exploring multiple income streams will not be an issue and things are unlikely to end in a messy break-up.
Vollrath shares his tips on how to make sure people swipe right on your side hustle:
- Hot locals near you: Over 45% of Google searches are used to find local businesses. Purchasing a .co.za domain is a simple way to show potential customers that your business is based in South Africa – which makes it easy to set up your first date.
- Don’t complicate it: Your domain name is the first thing that people see. It needs to be easy to remember and type out, so keep it short and simple.
- Looks aren’t everything, but they do help: A well-designed, user-friendly website keeps people on your webpage for longer – and encourages them to make the first move. A simple, easy to use website builder tool will give you complete control over your online image, without breaking the bank.
- Give people a reason to swipe right : Use your website to outline what makes you unique. From exceptional customer service to same-day delivery, this is your opportunity to differentiate yourself from the competition and convince customers that your business could be the one.
With a focus on small-to-medium-sized businesses in South Africa, 1.grid.com offers an all-in-one digital solution, including business and domain name registration, SSL certificates, web security packages, and web and email hosting. Their DIY website builder allows entrepreneurs to build an online store and is accessible via a mobile app, which facilitates website creation and management from any location. For more information visit www.1-grid.com.
