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Software for anyone interested in buying and selling merchandise locally as easily as possible

Software for anyone interested in buying and selling merchandise locally as easily as possible

Vote: (245 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Yalwa GmbH

Version: 2.7.17

Works under: Android

Vote:

Program license

(245 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Yalwa GmbH

2.7.17

Works under:

Android

Locanto is an app that bills itself as a local marketplace for virtually anything and anyone. It allows individuals to post free ads, like classifieds, that others can then use. It offers a wide range of potential classified ads, including "personal" services. It works very similar to Craig's List, only with a smoother interface and more options. These additional options greatly enhance the platform and make it easy for you to browse, buy, and sell your products. 

What Is Locanto?

Locanto is a fantastic free advertising service that offers a wide range of uses. It offers extremely local marketplaces, thus enabling you to post an ad in a specific location and for a specific category. These ads run the gamut of potential services and include the sale of items, personal services, and job openings. As such, it is a fantastic way to potentially find something that you are looking to buy, or off-load items that you want to get rid of. Freelancers can even advertise their services under the "Jobs" section, and this section is extremely broad, potentially allowing users to find a wide array of hiring opportunities and an entirely untapped pool of local talent. 

Fortunately, unlike many classified websites, Locanto does not charge individuals who want to place an advertisement - doing so is absolutely free and easy. All you have to do is click on the "Post free ad" button and follow the instructions. The prompts are easy to understand, and you can always review other advertisements already placed in the category of your choosing.

Regardless of if you are using Locanto on a website or app, regular users can search Locanto by where they live, but this quickly reveals one of the main challenges with the website: Some locations simply don't have many users. The site has been operating since 2007, so these struggles are not attributable to a lack of operating time. If this is the case for you, you may find more value in using other websites that are more populated. 

How To Use Locanto

If you are interested in placing an advertisement, all you have to do is click a button and follow the free prompts. If you want to purchase something off of the website, you have multiple options. The search function is fairly robust and allows users to search via location, item, or service. 

Once you find the location you are looking for, you can begin to click on various categories and subcategories. There are dozens of categories and hundreds of total subcategories, so finding the area you are interested in learning more about will not be complicated. 

Once you find something you want, you can click on the advertisement, read the description, and view the pictures. If you are interested in the item or service, you can follow the prompts and message the seller. Sellers often leave their contact information in the description of an ad, and if you are using a phone to view Locanto, you can just click on their phone number to connect with them right away.

The website will also track the history of advertisements that you have viewed, making it easy for you to go backward and check out an ad that you may have forgotten about. 

Additional Services

Fortunately for users, Locanto is more than just a place for classified ads. You can also take advantage of the app's built-in notifications in order to get notified whenever someone makes a post on an area of interest. There are also live chat functions, potentially enabling you to connect directly and quickly with someone selling something. 

Furthermore, the in-app messaging system makes communication a breeze, and you can always use someone's advertisement to call them right away. If you find that you like what the seller is offering, you can follow them, enabling you to be notified whenever they list a new item. This can be an exceptionally useful feature if you are a collector of certain goods and the seller in question has a variety of them for sale. 

Each ad also has functions that allow you to report them for being inappropriate, misleading, or dangerous. Locanto does theoretically ban its platform for advertising certain types of content, but it can be very easy for determined users to find ways around these bans. The website will also make other suggestions for ads for you to check out. These suggestions can often be highly accurate when it comes to ensuring that you find the right type of content. 

Less-Than-Savory Uses

For all of the positives associated with this app, there are some potential issues that all users should be aware of. There are explicit personal advertisements available, and there are no parental controls that could potentially stop a minor from seeing some of this content. As such, like anything else on the internet, parents should ensure that they are monitoring their kid's usage of the platform.

How To Get Locanto

Locanto can be used in two forms: A website, or an app. At the moment, Locanto's app is only available via Android, although some have said that there are rumors of an iOS app being available in the future. Both the website and App act very similar and have almost identical functionality, and the App has been very highly rated on Android. Registering for the app or website is free, and you can simply create an account via your already existing Google account, saving you much of the time and hassle of registering for a brand new account. 

Signing up for the website, and posting on it, is free. Downloading the app is also free. 

Pros:

  • Locanto is free for users to get most features, providing incredible convenience at no cost.
  • Locanto can be accessed via the Android App or website.
  • It is extremely easy to register for the website.
  • Locanto has a wide range of uses and several highly customizable notification options, ensuring you are immediately alerted when someone responds to one of your ads. 
  • The platform has hundreds of different categories and subcategories ensures that you will be able to find everything and anything you are looking for. 

Cons:

  • Some areas don't have many users, as the service seems to still be powering up in certain sections of the United States.
  • A lack of parental controls and some unsavory content can create problems for some individuals.