Bizstartup.ie - NewsAn online approach to bartering

Called Barter-it, it is the first dedicated site in Ireland to provide such a service and it already has a range of businesses signed up including public relations companies, limousine firms, printers and accountants.

Finnella Naughton came up with the concept when she found herself having to cut back on her advertising budget for another business she has, www.babymoments.ie.

She successfully bartered with a magazine publisher, offering her services in a certain capacity in return for ad space, and this inspired her to set up a network for other companies to work together last year.

“We are now living in a cashless society. People can barter what they have for anything they see on Barter-it.ie. Everyone gains – for example a member of the public can swap unwanted goods about the house. One man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure,” Naughton said.

What joining the Members’ Lounge means

That aspect of the site is free; the €40 charge comes in if you join the Members’ Lounge, where businesses can offer goods and services to each other away from the public gaze.

“Offers in the Members’ Lounge will be flagged on the forum with the other offers, but to transact a business barter people need to register for the members’ area, so it’s a valuable place to be for anyone in business looking to source goods without cash,” Naughton explained.

Barter-it was shortlisted under the Best Classified Website category at the Golden Spider awards last November for excellence in internet and digital media.

“When you enter a barter network you increase your market base as you get new customers which the network, itself, brings you with little, or no, additional effort on your part.”

Photo: Finnella Naughton