Getting Started & Searching
Interactive Map View
Visualize opportunities across Ireland and the globe with our new Map View. Click the "Map" button at the top of the feed to switch modes.
- Color-Coded Pins: Instantly identify what you are looking for:
Blue for Jobs,
Green for Leads,
Orange for Deals, and
Gold for Businesses.
- Live Filters: Inside the map, use the floating filter buttons (e.g., "Jobs", "Leads") to declutter the view and focus on specific categories.
- Global Reach: Zoom out to see opportunities abroad, including our new international hubs in the UK, Europe, and Australia.
Smart Job Alerts
Stop scrolling and let the work come to you. You can now set up custom alerts to be notified the moment a matching post is published.
- How to Set Up: Go to your Profile and scroll down to the new "Job Alerts" card.
- Custom Criteria: Define your alerts by Keyword (e.g., "Tiling"), Location (e.g., "Cork"), and Category.
- Instant Notification: When a match is found, you will receive an instant notification in your Notification Center (Bell Icon).
Choosing the Right Post Type
To get the best response, it is critical to select the category that matches your intent. Here is a detailed breakdown:
- Jobs (Hiring in Ireland): Use this for standard employment opportunities based locally. You must specify if the role is Full-Time or Part-Time. Providing a salary range (e.g., "€40k - €50k") significantly increases applicant quality.
- Jobs Abroad 🌍: Hiring for roles overseas? Select this option to access specialized fields. You can now specify Visa Requirements, Relocation Packages, and international locations. Ideally suited for Irish professionals looking to work abroad.
- Leads (I Need a Pro): Use this for specific tasks (e.g., "Retile my bathroom" or "Fix a leak"). You can upload up to 4 photos to show the work required.
Pro Tip: If you are unsure of the cost, check the "I'm looking for a quotation" box. This hides the budget field and invites professionals to give you a price estimate.
- Services (I am a Pro): Designed for tradespeople to advertise their business. Use the description to list your qualifications (e.g., RECI, Safe Pass), insurance status, and the areas you cover.
- Special Deals (Premium Only): A powerful marketing tool to fill gaps in your schedule. Create time-sensitive offers like "Boiler Service - €80 (This Week Only)". These posts get a unique visual style to attract attention.
Mastering Search & Filters
Our advanced filtering engine helps you find exactly what you need in seconds. Click the "Show Filters" button on the main feed to open the controls.
- Keyword Search: Searches titles and descriptions. Try specific terms like "Carpenter", "Remote", or "Tiling".
- Location: Enter your town or county. The system matches text, so "Dublin" finds "Dublin 1", "Dublin 4", etc.
- Urgency & Budget: Tick "Show Urgent Only" to find people who need help immediately. Use the Min/Max budget fields to filter jobs by salary or project value.
- Reset Filters: Made a mistake? Click the "Reset" button (next to Show Filters) to instantly clear all search criteria and return to the main feed.
Profile & Reputation
Building a Professional Profile
Your profile is your digital CV. Users with complete profiles receive up to 3x more enquiries.
- Professional Details: Click the "Edit" icon next to your details to set your Speciality (e.g., Plumber, Electrician) and Years of Experience. This helps clients gauge your expertise immediately.
- Logo / Avatar: (Premium Feature) Uploading a professional logo or headshot builds trust. This image appears on your posts, your profile, and any invoices you generate.
- About Section: Use this space to tell your story. Mention your certifications, your business history, or your specific skills.
Privacy Controls
We believe you should control your data. In the Privacy Settings section of your profile, you can toggle the following:
- Show Phone/Email: Turn these off if you prefer to communicate solely through the DubDeal messaging system.
- Show Address: You can hide your address from the public while keeping it saved for your private invoice generation.
- Direct Contact (Premium): Enable this to allow other users to message you directly from your profile page, even without a specific job post.
Holiday Mode
Taking a break? Don't delete your account—use Holiday Mode.
Go to Privacy Settings > Holiday Mode. Set a start and end date. While active, your profile is hidden from search results, and a "Currently Unavailable" banner appears on your existing posts. This protects your response rate statistics while you are away.
Security: The Secret Word
During registration, you set a Secret Security Word. This is a secondary password used only for high-level actions, such as permanently deleting your account.
If you lose this word, you must contact support to verify your identity manually. This prevents unauthorized users from destroying your account data.
Communication & Messaging
Notification Center (New)
Never miss an update. The new Bell Icon in the top menu is your command center.
- Real-time Alerts: You will receive instant notifications for new messages, job upvotes, or system announcements.
- Quick Navigation: Clicking a notification item will take you directly to the relevant conversation or post.
- "Mark All as Read": Use this to clear your queue once you have caught up.
The Messaging System
Our integrated inbox is designed for clarity and record-keeping.
- Lead Access Protocol: To ensure high intent and reduce spam for homeowners, only Premium Members can initiate the first contact on "Lead" post owners. Once a connection is made, communication is free-flowing.
- Contextual Chats: Every conversation is tagged with the specific Post ID it refers to. Even if the original post is deleted, the chat history and context are preserved in your inbox.
Moderation: Blocking & Reporting
We prioritize community safety. You have tools to manage your interactions:
- Blocking: To cease all interaction with a user, visit their profile, tap the Options menu (three dots), and select "Block User". They will be unable to message you.
- Reporting: If you encounter content that violates our terms (spam, scams, abuse), click the ⚠️ icon on the post. Our moderation team investigates all reports within 24 hours.
Community & Membership
Members Page
The Members page helps you discover trusted professionals and view business profiles quickly.
- Search by category or name to find a specialist in your area.
- Premium members appear higher in the listing and can be filtered separately.
- Use the member preview to view contact options, ratings, and completed jobs.
Reviews & References
Building a strong reputation is essential. Ask clients to leave reviews and keep your reference score high.
- Clients can write reviews directly from your profile after a completed job.
- Pending reviews appear under the Pending Reviews card for you to follow up on.
- High review scores help your posts get more visibility and trust.
Gift Premium & Promotions
Want to support another trader? Use the Gift Premium button on their profile to send them a premium boost.
- Gifted Premium increases their post capacity and unlocks advanced contact permissions.
- The recipient gets a notification and can activate the premium benefits immediately.
Professional Tools
CV Builder Tool
Need a professional CV to apply for jobs? Our built-in CV Builder allows you to generate a polished resume instantly.
- Auto-Fill: Automatically pulls your skills, experience, and contact details from your DubDeal profile.
- PDF Export: Download a clean, industry-standard PDF ready to send to employers.
- Privacy Focused: Your CV is generated locally in your browser.
To access: Log in and click the "CV Builder" button on the main dashboard map controls.
Invoice & Quotation Generator
Streamline your paperwork with our built-in invoice and quotation tool. Click the "Invoice" button on the main dashboard to open the editor.
- Switch Modes: Easily toggle between Invoice and Quotation mode depending on what your client needs.
- Smart Auto-Fill: One-click import of your profile details (Name, Address, Logo) into the document header.
- Save Drafts: Save invoices and quotations so you can finish them later without losing your work.
- Download PDF: When the invoice is ready, click the download button to save a PDF copy to your device.
- Mark as PAID: Use the "Mark as PAID" option to add a green "PAID IN FULL" stamp to the final invoice.
- E-Signature: Sign directly on your screen so the signature appears on the downloadable PDF.
Premium Membership Tiers
Unlock the full power of DubDeal with a subscription.
- Unrestricted Access: View contact details and message unlimited "Lead" post owners.
- Direct Outreach: Bypass listings and message professionals directly via their profile pages.
- Priority Visibility: Your posts receive distinct premium styling to stand out in the feed.
- Expanded Limits: Increase your active post capacity and post duration for better visibility.
Export Tools & Account Settings
Text to PDF Export
Use the Text to PDF page to convert messages, invoices, or quotes into a downloadable PDF document.
- Paste or type any text and click the export button to generate a clean PDF.
- This is ideal for turning job descriptions, quotes, or site notes into a shareable document.
Managing Notifications & Alerts
The bell icon at the top right shows your latest alerts. Keep notifications active to receive message updates and premium reminders.
- Open the notification panel to see unread items and mark all as read.
- Notifications include new messages, premium reminders, and system announcements about your posts.
Account Safety & Support
Protect your account by using a strong password and never sharing your login details.
- Only contact support through official DubDeal channels listed in the app.
- If you notice suspicious activity, log out and report it immediately.
Troubleshooting & FAQ
Common Technical Issues
- "Email not verified": You cannot log in until you click the link in the verification email. Please check your Spam/Junk folder.
- Photo Upload Errors: The system accepts JPG or PNG files under 2MB. If an upload fails, try cropping the image slightly or taking a screenshot to reduce the file size.
- Location Search: If your area isn't appearing, try searching for the broader district or nearest major town (e.g., use "Dublin 1" instead of a specific street name).
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is DubDeal free to use? Creating an account, browsing listings, and posting basic ads is free. Advanced features (Invoice tool, Lead contact) require a Premium subscription. All new accounts receive a 7-day free trial.
- How do I cancel Premium? You maintain full control over your billing. Navigate to "Account Status" on your profile and click "Manage Subscription" to access the Stripe portal for cancellations or changes.
- Can I change my username? Free accounts: Your username is permanent for security and reputation tracking. Premium accounts: You can change your username anytime from your Account Settings. You may always update your Display Name, Bio, and Contact Details.
Contact Support
Our Dublin-based team is ready to assist you with any unresolved queries.
Email: info@dubdeal.ie