Yelp launches Platform, becomes 150% more useful
Online review site, Yelp has announced today the launch of “Platform” wherein users can actually transact on Yelp, opening a whole new world to businesses who have or will become reliant upon the site for referrals, adding a layer of usefulness to Yelp which will attract the favor and attention of the business world.
Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman said, “We’ll be rolling out Yelp Platform category by category, beginning today with food delivery and pickup. Starting now, people can order food directly from a select number of restaurants supported by delivery.com and Eat24, like NYC’s Harry’s Italian Pizza Bar and Layaly Mediterranean Grill in SF. Eventually, consumers will be able to order whatever meal they’re craving for delivery or pickup at thousands of local restaurants across the US, directly from those businesses’ Yelp listings.”
But wait, there’s more
Additionally, the company will be adding categories to Platform like salons, doctors, spas and the like, allowing consumers to make appointments directly through Yelp, announcing they will eventually allow users to purchase services directly through the site just as you would order food.
These services will be available on any screen that you use Yelp today, whether you’re on iOS, mobile web or desktop (and coming soon for Android).
Stoppelman stated, “We know people want an easy, streamlined consumer experience, and Yelp Platform is the next step in directly connecting users with millions of great local businesses.”
For businesses ignoring the relevance or usefulness of Yelp should pay attention, perk up, and consider how appointment booking, delivery, or eventually direct sales could play into their brand strategy. A growing number of consumers are now accustomed to using the site as a means of validating or invalidating their purchase decisions, so monitoring and taking advantage of your business’ listing is advisable for many industries.
