Getting Started
Creating Your Account
Signing up takes under a minute. Choose a username, enter your email, and set a password. You will receive a verification email — click the link to activate your account. Check your Spam/Junk folder if it does not arrive within a few minutes.
Navigating DubDeal
The top menu gives you quick access to every part of the platform:
- Feed — Browse all posts in a scrollable list with mini maps.
- Map — Switch to map view and see opportunities plotted across Ireland.
- Members — Browse the professional directory and find tradespeople by category.
- Profile — Manage your details, privacy, tools, and job alerts.
Free vs Premium
Registration is free and gives you access to core features. Premium unlocks advanced tools and removes limits.
- Free: Create posts, browse the feed and map, use the CV Builder, export Text to PDF, receive messages, and build your profile.
- Premium: Generate Invoices & Quotations, view contact details on Leads, initiate first contact with Lead owners, message users directly from profiles, upload a logo, and get priority post styling.
Posts & Categories
Creating a Post
Click the "+" or "Post" button to create a new listing. Fill in the title, description, location, and budget. You can upload up to 4 photos to show the work or materials. Choose the category that best matches your intent.
Choosing the Right Category
- Jobs: Hiring locally in Ireland. Specify full-time or part-time and add a salary range for better responses.
- Jobs Abroad: Irish companies hiring for positions overseas. Mention visa requirements and relocation packages if applicable.
- Leads: Homeowners posting a specific task (e.g. "Fix a leak"). Upload photos to show the work needed. Tick "I'm looking for a quotation" if you want pros to give you a price estimate.
- Services: Tradespeople advertising their business. List qualifications, insurance, and areas covered.
- Deals: Time-sensitive offers like "Boiler Service — €80 this week only". Premium feature.
- Materials & Tools: Buy or sell new or second-hand construction materials, tools, and equipment.
- Seeking Job: Job-seekers looking for employment. Use the CV Builder to stand out.
- Seeking Apprenticeship: Those looking to learn a trade. List your courses and skills.
Editing, Voting & Deleting
You can edit your own posts at any time. Other users can upvote or downvote posts to help the best content rise to the top. To delete a post, open it and select the delete option.
Map, Search & Discovery
Interactive Map
Click "Map" to switch from the feed to a live map view. Every post appears as a colour-coded pin:
- Blue — Jobs
- Green — Leads
- Orange — Deals
- Gold — Services / Business
- Purple — Jobs Abroad
- Red — Seeking Job
- Teal — Apprenticeship
- Gray — Materials & Tools
Use the floating filter buttons to show or hide specific categories. Click a pin to see the post details. Click the mini map inside any post card to fly straight to that location on the main map.
Search & Filters
Click "Show Filters" to open the advanced filter panel:
- Keyword: Searches titles and descriptions.
- Location: Enter a town or county. "Dublin" matches "Dublin 1", "Dublin 4", etc.
- Category: Filter by post type (Jobs, Leads, Services, etc.).
- Budget: Set minimum and maximum values.
- Urgency: Tick "Show Urgent Only" for immediate needs.
- Reset: Click "Reset" to clear all filters instantly.
Weather Widget
The weather widget on the dashboard shows live conditions for your area. Click it to open the city picker and select any of the 32 Irish counties. Your choice is saved for next time.
Profile & Privacy
Building Your Profile
Your profile is your digital business card. A complete profile builds trust and gets more responses.
- Speciality & Experience: Set your trade and years of experience so clients know your expertise at a glance.
- About: Tell your story — certifications, business history, skills, and areas you cover.
- Service Photos: Upload images of your past work to showcase quality (Portfolio section on your profile).
- Logo / Avatar: Premium members can upload a logo or headshot that appears on posts, profiles, and invoices.
Privacy Settings
Control what others see:
- Show Phone/Email: Toggle off to keep communication inside DubDeal only.
- Show Address: Hide your address from the public while keeping it for invoice generation.
- Holiday Mode: Set start and end dates. Your profile is hidden from search and an "Unavailable" banner appears on your posts.
- Direct Contact: Premium feature — allow other users to message you directly from your profile.
Security: The Secret Word
Your Secret Word is a secondary password set during registration. It is required for high-risk actions like permanently deleting your account. If you lose it, contact support to verify your identity manually.
Digital Business Card
Every profile has a unique shareable link. Send it to clients or post it on social media — anyone with the link can view your profile, portfolio, and contact options.
Messaging, Reviews & Safety
How Messaging Works
Every conversation is linked to the specific post it started from. Even if the post is deleted, the chat history remains in your inbox.
- Free users can reply to messages they receive.
- Premium users can initiate first contact on Lead posts and message other users directly from their profiles.
Notifications
The bell icon in the top menu is your notification centre. You will receive alerts for new messages, post votes, and system announcements. Click any notification to jump straight to the relevant post or conversation.
Reviews & Ratings
Clients can leave reviews directly from your profile after a job is completed. Your average rating and review count are displayed publicly. High ratings increase trust and visibility. Pending reviews appear in a dedicated card on your profile so you can follow up.
Blocking & Reporting
Your safety matters.
- Block: Visit a user's profile, open the Options menu (three dots), and select "Block User". They will no longer be able to message you.
- Report: Click the warning icon on any post to report spam, scams, or abuse. Our team investigates all reports.
Tools & Features
CV Builder Free
Generate a professional PDF resume in one click. The CV Builder auto-fills your skills, experience, and contact details from your DubDeal profile. Perfect for apprentices and job-seekers.
Text to PDF Free
Convert any text, notes, or quotes into a clean PDF instantly. Paste or type your content and click export — no cost, no limits.
Invoice & Quotation Generator Premium
Create professional invoices and quotations in seconds:
- Toggle between Invoice and Quotation mode.
- Auto-fill your profile details into the document header.
- Save drafts and finish them later.
- Download as PDF.
- Mark as PAID to add a green stamp.
- Sign with the built-in E-Signature pad.
Smart Job Alerts
Set custom alerts by keyword, location, and category. Go to your Profile and scroll to the "Job Alerts" card to configure them. You will receive a notification the moment a matching post goes live.
FAQ & Support
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is DubDeal free? Creating an account, browsing, posting basic ads, using the CV Builder, and exporting Text to PDF are all free. Premium features like Invoices, Lead contact details, and direct messaging require a subscription.
- How do I cancel Premium? Go to "Account Status" in your Profile and click "Manage Subscription" to access the Stripe billing portal.
- Can I change my username? Free accounts have a fixed username for security. Premium members can change their username anytime. You can always update your Display Name, Bio, and Contact Details.
- Why can't I see contact details on a Lead? Viewing contact details on Lead posts is a Premium feature. Free users can still browse and reply if the owner messages them first.
- What photo formats are supported? JPG and PNG files under 2MB. If an upload fails, try cropping or taking a screenshot to reduce file size.
- My location isn't showing up. Try searching for the broader area or nearest major town (e.g., "Dublin" instead of a specific street).
- "Email not verified": You cannot log in until you click the link in the verification email. Check your Spam/Junk folder.
Contact Support
Our team is based in Dublin and ready to help.
Email: info@dubdeal.ie
