Gumtree

About Gumtree

Gumtree is an online classified website that inspired a community feel. The website is in fact international and includes separate local sites for places such as: Ireland, Poland, Singapore, the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States (USA). Started in 2000, the site originated as a local classified ads site for London residents.

The local classified website was designed so that people could connect and find places to move to as well as find a job. The website still hopes to provide a service to new residents of specific local areas. This is because the ability of finding housing, friends & dating as well as stuff for sale (furniture for a new home) are all available. Lastly, finding a job is simple with the extensive list of genres of jobs available on the website.

With local classified ads for nearly 60 cities, Gumtree is the biggest UK website for community classified and one of the top 20 websites in all of the UK as well. Categories in the classified section include Flats & Houses, Services, Pets, Friends & Dating, Cars For Sale, Stuff For Sale, Community and Jobs.

Gumtree states that its goal is to provide a simple and easy to use interface that allows users to find what they are looking for fast. From finding somewhere to live, to finding a date, a nanny or a book club, Gumtree is a localized classified website that hopes to bring people together. While the concept is simple, something so organized has never helped so many at once.

Posting gumtree ads is also simple. For first time users, the post is free. When posting an ad, users are asked to which category their ad should be placed. For example, someone looking to find an office job can post to jobs and then click "I'm looking for a job" and then click office. The user then posts a title and description of the ad, additional contact information is also provided at this time (but kept private).

Spotlight or feature ads (that are shown at the top of the website for those visiting the site to see immediately). These type of ads have an additional cost from £19.95 to £29.95 for a week's time. Additional time slots for 3 days to 2 weeks can be purchased as well. The free ad option includes a regular ad and not a spotlight or feature ad as mentioned here.

Gumtree became a part of eBay in 2005. Kijiji or village in Swahili is another group of community classified websites that Gumtree is a part of. For instance, if one clicks CHANGE CITY on the front page and go to North America, a Kijiji website is brought up and various U.S. Major cities are available to pick from. Kijiji has nearly 90 cities around the world listed on its community classified website directory.