The way people search for products and services online hasn’t changed much in over a decade. Whether you’re on Google, a classified site, or a marketplace app, the model is the same: you search, filter through dozens of listings, compare options, and eventually make a decision—often after wasting a lot of time. But what if the process was reversed? What if instead of searching for vendors, vendors came to you?
That’s the bold new approach AskAlert is taking. AskAlert is a smart, voice-enabled app that allows users to make real-time requests for services or products, and instantly alerts relevant vendors who are able to fulfill that request. This flips the traditional marketplace model and introduces a more intuitive, user-first experience.
The Traditional Model Is Outdated
Most platforms rely on the user doing all the work: searching, comparing, negotiating, and verifying vendors. This model disproportionately favors businesses with marketing budgets, SEO knowledge, or ad spend—leaving out millions of small but capable vendors, especially in developing markets.
On the other side, users—especially in Africa and other emerging regions—often struggle with slow internet, lack of trust in unknown sellers, and information overload. The process is inefficient and discouraging.
The AskAlert Difference: Reverse Marketplace
AskAlert introduces the concept of a reverse marketplace:
- User submits a request (e.g., “I need a plumber in Ikeja” or “Looking to buy 50 bags of palm kernel”)
- Vendors receive an instant alert if they match the request type, location, and availability
- Vendors respond with quotes, availability, or questions
- User chooses the best fit based on reputation, ratings, or chat
This saves time, removes the clutter of search engines, and gives users what they actually want: quick, accurate, and trusted connections.
Built for Voice. Built for Africa.
AskAlert is intentionally designed as a voice-first platform. In many African communities, literacy levels, language barriers, and mobile-only access make typing difficult or slow. With AskAlert, users can simply speak their needs:
“I need a tailor for a wedding in two days.”
The system uses smart voice-to-text tech and natural language processing to understand the request and trigger the right vendor notifications.
This feature isn’t just a convenience—it’s an accessibility solution that opens digital commerce to millions who are typically underserved.
Empowering Vendors at Every Level
One of the most powerful aspects of AskAlert is how it levels the playing field for small and informal vendors:
- No need for a website or digital storefront
- No ad budgets required
- All vendors need is a mobile phone and a service/product to offer
AskAlert helps them get discovered, respond to real demand, and build reputation over time through customer ratings and reviews.
Export Africa: Beyond Local Commerce
AskAlert isn’t just built for local vendor discovery—it’s also positioned to be a gateway for global trade, especially for African-made products and services.
Our platform includes export-ready tools:
- Mark products as exportable
- Add documentation and certifications
- Connect with international buyers looking for bulk or unique goods from Africa
This empowers artisans, agricultural producers, fashion designers, and skilled professionals to reach the global market—without needing to be tech-savvy or business consultants.
Real-Time, Real Results
Whether you’re a busy professional in Lagos who needs a same-day dry cleaner, or a boutique owner in Paris sourcing handmade baskets from Ghana, AskAlert makes the connection fast, trusted, and effortless.
By removing the friction of search and centering the user’s voice, we are reinventing the vendor marketplace model into something truly inclusive, scalable, and future-proof.
Welcome to the new way of buying and selling. Welcome to AskAlert.