Social platform connects residents to get more local information and support home businesses
Living within the confines of a flat does not have to make one feel isolated because you are only an app away to connecting with your neighbours. Even as the majority of Singaporeans who live in densely populated high-rise apartments, they get to interact with neighbours in more ways than one. The NextBlock app helps residents within an estate get more 'local', in terms of information and experiences.
The city state is known to have strict policies on what its residences can and cannot do in a government-subsidised estate, but of late the government has relaxed policies and is encouraging home businesses to operate as long as they do not compromise the livelihood of the community. About 79% of Singaporeans today live in these subsidised housing locals call Housing Development Board or (HDB) flats.
Under Singapore's home office scheme, you can operate small-scale offices in Singapore or run the administrative functions of your business from your residential premises, with up to two non-resident employees. According to its local urban development authority, no third party vendors and loading of bulky items that would get in the way of public users. However, it is because of the prohibition of any public signages, posters for advertisements of these home businesses that make this app relevant and useful for these enterprises.
It is common in Singapore to hire private tutors, for supplementary classes in academic subjects as well as music lessons. However, consistent with the style of management policies, such services are limited to no more than three students at a time. Among other services offered within the HDB estates include childcare, special needs and elderly care services.
image source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/966747/population-living-in-public-housing-singapore/
Homegrown, small business owners can take advantage of NextBlock’s hyperlocal social networking app to digitally market their services directly to their target audience within the estate.
Since its initial launch, NextBlock has already on-boarded 15,000 users, built 980 estates and 220 groups to connect like-minded people together.
Promote a business or give a thumbs down?
With the Nextblock app, residents can promote their home businesses such as small scale baking, hairdressing, facial and beauty treatment, manicure/ pedicure, sewing, painting, writing, florist and even decorating services.
“I like the app as it’s filled with positivity from founders and neighbours here, an open-minded and sharing community aka the 'kampung' spirit!” expressed Julin, NextBlock neighbour in District 19, in Singapore.
The NextBlock App allows people to share their experiences and recommendations to these types of services, and a useful tool to endorse or even complain about a service that is offered by a neighbour.
The nifty app is likened to a Facebook for neighbours that is filled with lively interaction between friends and family, where you recognise friendly smiles you see along the corridor or the neighbourhood park! Users can post about missing pets, items for sale, organise a recreational sports and block party or even create an alert network for suspicious activities.
Be a customer advocate that's friendlier for neighbours
Here, neighbours routinely ask for recommendations for home repairs, real estate information and maintenance, food recommendations, horticultural activities and even share food recipes.
NextBlock is free, and built to empower neighbours to come together and feel comfortable with sharing information with one another. All users need to verify that they live within the neighbourhood’s postal code, either through an invitation code, or through uploading a proof of residency that reflects their real address.
