A HELENSBURGH window cleaner has dedicated months to designing a business directory app and website for the town.
Robbie McNiven has been working with his business partner for years, but regularly came across customers who shared their nightmare encounters they had with other businesses from further afield.
The 29-year-old decided that something needed to change to bring the community and its businesses closer.
He spent many early mornings and late evenings designing a Helensburgh-based business directory app and website named Loqal, which is set to go live this month.
He said: "Advertising your business costs a lot of money, especially if you are a start-up, and a lot of businesses really depend on word of mouth. I have spent a fortune on advertising in places that have proven not to be beneficial for my window cleaning business.
"I deal with customers on a daily basis and the stories I hear of them overpaying for services or getting a bad customer experience are common, but it is disheartening when I learn that these businesses aren't even local.
"It helped me to come up with an idea that would serve solely Helensburgh and Dumbarton. It would give customers a directory of reliable local businesses of people who have incredible talent and skills that would serve the needs of people better and boost the economy in our community.
"I know people want to support their local community where possible, but researching the services of different businesses and going through their reviews can be time-consuming. I want to limit that for them."
The app is a vetted directory of local businesses in Helensburgh that are registered with HMRC, ID-checked by Robbie and are properly insured.
Loqal will also have its community section where clubs, charities and sports teams can advertise for free.
The former Hermitage Academy pupil continued: "I have been getting up at 4.30am every morning to work on the app and I work on it when I am home in the evenings. I have been doing this for around four months and it is worth it.
"We currently have just over 20 businesses signed up from August, ranging from labourers to dance schools. I want to bring as many businesses on board as possible because they are worth shouting about and recommending to others.
"I am also trying to eliminate people getting overwhelmed with hundreds of comments after asking for recommendations on a Facebook group.
"With the app, they can search for the service they need and select the business they want, knowing we have vetted them beforehand to ensure nobody has a negative experience.
"I just want people to be able to have a directory of good, reliable businesses at their fingertips that they can choose from."
The first month is free for business owners looking to advertise on the app and Robbie says that new enquiries from customers will instantly go to the business so they still have control.
The app is expected to be live this month, with businesses encouraged to leave their email via Loqal's website to be notified of the launch.
He told the Advertiser: "It also means owners can monitor how many enquiries they are getting through Loqal.
"If they find that the app isn't working for them, then they can ask to be removed, but obviously I wouldn't want that to be the case.
"I am encouraging both people and business owners to download the app and check it out. I just wanted to create something positive for Helensburgh that is needed."
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