You run a good shop. The coffee's right, the prices are fair, and the regulars know your dog's name.
The problem is the 3,000 people who live within 2 km and have never heard of you. You need affordable local advertising in South Africa without having to create a new Dubai chocolate TikTok dance.
The usual options
| Option | The catch |
|---|---|
| Radio | Reaches people in Pretoria who'll never drive to your shop in Benoni |
| Billboard | Costs more than your rent, and drivers are watching the robot anyway |
| Social media ads | Eats a weekend to set up, then rewards whoever spends the most |
| Flyers | Taken politely, binned at the next corner |
Most of it was priced for a company with a marketing department. You have a till, a phone and about 20 minutes on a Tuesday.
Why nearby beats big
For most small businesses, the customers who matter live or work a short walk or drive away. A bakery doesn't need all of Johannesburg. It needs the 4 blocks around it, and a reason for those people to come in once. (After that, the croissants do the selling.)
A coupon is that reason. It lowers the risk of trying somewhere new, and it nudges someone on the day they were going to buy coffee anyway.
How advertising on Deliva works
- Choose a time frame on the Deliva advertise page.
- Set up your coupon: what the offer is and how long it runs.
- Your coupon appears in the Deliva app for people near your business, alongside other local deals.
- Customers claim it on their phones and use it with you, in-store or online.
| Option | Runs for | Starting from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Occasions | 1 to 6 days | R80 | A long weekend or a launch day |
| Short Term | 1 to 3 weeks | R200 | Month-end promotions or a new menu |
| Mid Term | 1 to 11 months | R350 | Seasonal offers and a steady flow of first-timers |
| Long Term | 1 to 2 years | R600 | Becoming the go-to spot in your area |
Writing a coupon people actually use
The offer matters more than the design. A few things that tend to work:
- Be specific: "R25 off any haircut" beats "Great discounts on hair services".
- Make it worth the trip: Small enough to afford, big enough that someone changes their route for it.
- Lead with your best product: A coupon brings in first-timers, so give them the thing you want them coming back for. Clearing slow stock can wait.
- Tell your staff: Nothing sinks a coupon faster than a cashier who's never heard of it.
- Keep the fine print short: If the offer needs an asterisk and a paragraph, simplify the offer.
Weak10% off selected items. T&Cs apply.
StrongFree flat white with any breakfast, weekdays before 10 am.
Ideas to borrow
| Business | Offer idea | Suggested run |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee shop | Free pastry with any coffee before 9 am | Mid Term |
| Hair salon | R50 off a first cut and colour | Short Term |
| Hardware store | 10% off paint over a long weekend | Special Occasions |
| Restaurant | Kids eat free on Tuesdays | Mid Term |
| Car wash | Free interior vac with a full wash | Short Term |
| Online store | Free delivery on a first order | Long Term |
Who you're reaching
People download Deliva for its free panic button and emergency services map, which gives the app a reason to stay on their phones. When plans are calm, they browse what's on offer nearby, and your coupon is right there in front of people who already live or work around you.
The fit goes deeper than placement. Deliva was built to help communities feel safer and stronger, and local businesses are a big part of what holds a neighbourhood together. Advertising here puts your shop on the map in both senses.
Before you list
- One clear offer, written in a single sentence
- An end date you're happy with
- Staff briefed on how to honour it
- A way to count redemptions, even a tally next to the till
Your next regular lives around the corner and has no idea you exist yet. Start your first coupon on the Deliva advertise page, from R80.
FAQ
How much does it cost to advertise on Deliva?
Coupons start from R80 for 1 to 6 days. Longer runs start from R200 (1 to 3 weeks), R350 (1 to 11 months) and R600 (1 to 2 years).
Who sees my Deliva coupon?
People browsing deals in the Deliva app near your business.
Can I run a coupon for just one weekend?
Yes. The Special Occasions option runs for 1 to 6 days, from R80.
