AskLaila, FourInt’s recently launched product, is probably trying to be too many things at the same time. Currently, they are offering:
- Local search service,
- City specific content,
- Events, and
- Lifestyle content
Lets first talk about their search – The search is pretty well executed (and covers most of the local services), though I strongly believe that the local search will expand more than just the regular search.
You need to provide intelligence using the available data – for e.g. I am amazed at JustDial’s restaurant range suggestions. We need more of such services, which directly don’t fall under basic needs, but are more of latent needs.
Now, coming to the city specific content – all I can say is that the quality of content is not something that will drive me to AskLaila. The content looks more like an attempt to increase the adoption of AskLaila’s search service and candidly speaking, lacks the zing and depth to even get a mention.
And now the mashup : In my opinion, only a few companies can do a great mashup; and the sole reason is that to do a mashup you need to piggyback on one of your successful product. For e.g. any Y! mashup will piggyback on 3 services – Y! QnA, Flickr and del.icio.us.
If you don’t even have a single successful service, why mashup? How about staying niche?
Don’t you think that AskLaila, in order to be everything should actually focus on a niche area? Atleast, I think so.
On a lighter note, I have a feeling that AskLaila seems to be hugely inspired by Microsoft’s MsDewey (except that Laila doesn’t have a face!).
Related: MIH’s Dwaar, Review of local content market players.
tags: asklaila, justdial, msdewey
I have been using AskLaila for a couple of weeks now. Everytime I need to look up some info regarding something local to Bangalore, I just Ask Laila. The results I got have been pretty accurate. I have tried other services such as JustDial and Guruji, and neither have given me the same quality results.
Now I think what they are doing with the city specific content is to build a better user experience.
Essentially, AskLaila is a YellowPages service. What the CITY CONTENT does is that it adds a new dimension to the otherwise bland business listing.
If you use the service, you will just end up reading one of the articles.
their search is good..but like you, I didnt like the content part…its quite an average stuff – I agree that they are trying to build a good user experience, but how about more smart features?
content may not add to user experience..and honestly, the quality of content isnt great..its all cooked up..lacks quality too..
lets see how asklaila works out in the long run
I am just curious to know how successful can be these portals for small cities? I agree that they can work for Bangalore, Delhi or Bombay.
But what about small cities?
Travellers would find it useful but will the local people use such sites to get local information
I had a similar idea of developing an website (Asklaila).I was so suprise to see the similar idea came up.Thanks for the website.
Definitely not a new idea but yaa a long time felt need of a gud indian search portal. Better UI but stuff quality is not very good. But I guess in the long run that problem can be issued. Last but not the least, will this thing work for TIER II cities and how scalable is the application.
I think the search is much better than a justdial/onyomo. Actually much much better. The UI looks clean and uncluttered, but we just have to wait and see when the ads start contaminating the white space asklaila enjoys right now.
And come on, comparing MsDewey with askLaila is like comparing apples and oranges.
i dont agree that ask laila is a good search portal. if you see http://www.Samfra.com you will agree with me. a new cooool looks, great interface.
I agree, http://www.samfra.com is the best local search engine in terms of ease of use and accuracy.
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this is not a new idea….old wine in a newbottle….many of their blogs and contents are lifted from other sites… like bangalorebest.com ,www.metromela.com ect.
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