With thousands and thousands of users signing up every week, this local tech startup has seen its user base double in the last month, with forecasts showing weekly doubling from now on.

With over 800 different neighborhoods created on its database so far (and up to 500 users in each neighborhood) OurHood is now – officially – South Africa’s fastest-growing, free online networking platform for neighbourhoods.

Co-Founded by Capetonians Bruce Good and William Mellor, OurHood enables neighbours to connect with one another, in a structured, safe online environment.

Neighbours use OurHood to have conversations on issues which are relevant and of interest to them and their neighbourhood. These cover a range of issues, with the neighbours creating the content, including anything from local events and happending, crime alters to tradesman referrals and load-shedding times. Neighbours signup and access their private neighbourhood through the OurHood website, or by downloading Android and Apple iOS smartphone apps.

Managing Director Bruce Good, says, “Before OurHood, there was no site on which neighbours could connect in real time. If, for instance, someone wanted to ask an urgent question about local security, load shedding, or for advice on a good plumber, there was no way to do it. OurHood has changed that by providing a private network for neighbourhoods.”

OurHood offers what Facebook and other applications such as Whatsapp cannot.

“We have found many communities leaving sites like Facebook and Whatsapp as users find them very invasive. Posts aren’t organized on these platforms, so there is no way to search for old messages or to contain conversations within your region. Users are quickly spammed with too many unecessary notifications, whereas OurHood’s users can choose which categories they want to be informed about,” comments Good.

OurHood provides clear categories to organise the conversations where users can interact or source information.

These include:

• Notice Board – a digital community notice board discussing anything from nanny advice, to lost and found pets.
• Crime – users can post about a crime and all users in their neighbourhood receive an SMS and email alert (if they wish)
• Important Numbers – bespoke per neighbourhood, including useful and emergency one-touch-dial numbers
• Trade post – dedicated to sharing, buying and selling items with neighbours
• Local deals – source special offers and deals targeted to the specific neighbourhood
• Lifestyle – quick access to home convenience – allowing users to order in anything from fire wood and printer ink, to newspaper subscriptions. Direct from the app.

For security and privacy purposes, every user must verify that they live in the neighbourhood before gaining access. A utility bill uploading process allows for quick turnaround. Alternatively, a user can request that a postcard with a unique code be sent to their home to prove that they live there.

All information on the site is password protected and personal details are never shared.

Good confirmed, “Neighbourhoods provide a sense of space, belonging and identity because where we live gives shape and expression to who we are. The response from South African citizens has been staggering – and speaks to how crucial a site like this is in building social cohesion and promoting safety.”

OurHood is part of the next evolution of social media where the balance of connection and trust is actively managed to ensure users have the freedom to create the neighbourhoods they want to live in.

To join or create your own neighbourhood on OurHood, you can simply visit www.ourhood.co.za and follow the easy steps. App available in Android and iOS app stores.