Y! India Local Expands to Kolkata and Hyderabad
Yahoo India Local has expanded the local search product to Kolkata and Hyderabad – taking the total number of supported cities to 6 (after Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi).
The local search space has seen somewhat less action in the last few days and most of the companies are busy figuring out the right distribution and revenue model (click-to-call or content partnership?)
Also, quite lately we have seen whole lot of foodie sites (i.e. vertical local players) sprawling up relying on lead generation mechanism.
What’s the right solution then?
A combination of online/offline model? Does the success like in finding right distribution channel – Mobile/Partnership with lifestyle properties like CCD?
What’s your opinion?
While Yahoo’s offering is far superior to Just Dial’s website (it’s got a far greater focus on reviews, and a much better interface) I think that in terms of the overall model, Just Dial beats it hands down. My experience has been that I usually need location based search services when I’m on the move – in a new neighborhood or in a new city. It’s just not that easy accessing the web – through your phone, or otherwise. I know that the easiest thing to do therefore is dial 6999 9999 and presto, no waiting, no nothing, I have an articulate person to help me.
Gautam Kshatriya
gautam.kshatriya@moneyvidya.com
http://www.moneyvidya.com
Great News! Yahoo Market share is very small in India.i don’t have any doubt that they are desperate to increase their market share..
Any way Congrats Yahoo!
Its great news that yahoo, google, and a host of other players are entering the local search market.
Evolving ecology.
Being the oldest yellow pages publisher in india, one is reminded of a similar (gold) rush that happened in the print medium in the late 80s. A handful survived.
What needs to be done by web2 and similar companies is to create a viable monetising plan to ensure things dont come to an abrupt end like what happened with the print medium in this space earlier.
Maybe it be good for them to partner with the exisiting print players who know a thing or two on how to get money out of retailers – B2B or B2C.
Ease of use not withstanding, long term survival is always cash flow based.
ATB
rajmohan at vsnl dot com
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