Web entrepreneur creates website for contract referrals
Meet Frédéric Gauld, a web entrepreneur who has tackled odds and overcome challenges to successfully launch and brand his website, Vraipro.ca, the first website that lets people look for experts the way they do in normal life: by referral.
“The fact is that 80 per cent of contracts come through referrals,” said Gauld. “As such, I wanted to build a website that helped local people find self-employed or contractual workers who are usually invisible online rather than having to go to the biggest players with strong online presence.”
The project began in 2014 when Gauld and his family were going through home renovation headaches. “I had the hardest time finding good construction workers online. Eventually, I had to ask around for referrals at the coffee shop,” said Gauld. “That’s when I knew that we needed a user-friendly website covering the Brome-missisquoi region that helped people find local professionals working in specific domains.”
The website is organized in a trifold structure. Firstly, users sign on with their Facebook account and peruse the profiles of experts working in one of the following six categories: construction, renovation, landscaping, cleaning, consulting/administration, and the arts. Secondly, users fill out some simple criteria, providing information on their project’s deadline and some cursory data on their budget. Thirdly, users accept the terms and conditions and click on “send.” The rest is simple: their phone number is texted to all the “pros” out there selected by the users based on social connections, past client feedback, location, and pictures. When experts turn their phones on, they can text or call the users. In this respect, the rapport between employee and employer has been set and the project can happen. “The idea is to help people establish trust over the web,” said Gauld.
For the user, Vraipro.ca is the quick and effective alternative to spending hours repeating your query, reading through countless profiles and biographies, and following up with numerous cold searches. As for the experts, they are happy because their online visibility is boosted and their client base expands. Today, there are 250 pros and about 100 users.
Gauld overcame a number of challenges. Learning how to code solo, working by trial and error, and finding financial resources and backing were obstacles in and of themselves.
Gauld drove around Quebec to get financial support but was often frustrated when investors backed out because the website does not target the global market. “Internet startups attract investors’ attention when they are international products,” said Gauld. “In this regard, the investment culture that stems from California is not interested in regional investment, which is a shame.” That being said, Gauld did receive some local investment and is hard at work putting the final touches on his new website, working mostly solo.
“I had a handful of collaborators who pitched in now and then,” admitted Gauld, “but I mainly worked alone.” Looking back, Gauld estimates that he spent 8,000 hours in total on getting Vraipro.ca up and started.
Having worked in the web world for years, Gauld has seen his fair share of change. “Ten years ago, websites were machines: tools to help people, first and foremost,” said Gauld. “Today, websites or web apps are cultural products. You’re not providing your user with a machine anymore; your machine has to become part and parcel of your user’s lifestyle. Bands, clothing designers, and celebrities have grasped this concept well, which is why I have to make Vraipro.ca as accessible as possible to the average person.”
At the end of the day, Gauld credits the success of his service platform with the wider community. “You can’t develop this kind of a website without a vibrant, strong community, and we have that,” said Gauld with a small smile.
Gauld is planning on hosting a launch party on September 30.