Newspaper classifieds have traditionally been the primary medium through which goods and services are marketed within the islands of the Caribbean. However, two innovative Caribbean entrepreneurs recently launched www.ilandhop.com, a free Caribbean classifieds website.

iLandhop offers its members a completely free classified advertising service. By completing a one-time registration, iLandhoppers can post unlimited classifieds concerning a variety of interests including jobs, real estate (sales and rentals), personals, auto sales, general merchandise and vacation and travel services. Moreover, businesses are invited to display their banner ads free of charge or for a nominal cost, have one designed and uploaded by the iLandhop team.

Wayne Marsh, one of the owners of the website and an Internet marketing guru residing in Jamaica explains that the no-cost feature of iLandhop was not accidental.

“iLandhop was formed specifically so that people from within the islands, across the Diaspora and even those in the global village who want to keep in touch with the Caribbean, can find in this one indigenous spot – both community as well as a marketplace to advertise and promote goods, services and businesses without worrying about costs.” Marsh explains.

While the idea of a free classifieds website is somewhat novel to the Caribbean region, with the widespread accessibility of computers, the increasing popularity of the Internet, the advent of the CARICOM single market, iLandhop is destined to spread like wildfire throughout the region.