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I founded a company that did this. Despite our best efforts and aggressive marketing campaigns, it turned into a dating site. For example, messaging almost enti
by psyklic 8y ago
I founded a company that did this. Despite our best efforts and aggressive marketing campaigns, it turned into a dating site. For example, messaging almost entirely stopped when we only matched same sexes. We found that even if the app is used for making friends, people look for someone they're attracted to first, since it's just more fun.
During our market research, nearly everyone wanted to meet new friends and liked the idea. However, in practice noone thinks of using an app/website to make friends, and there's no driving motivator like with dating or employment.
We all know it's exciting to meet people serendipitously in person. However, being exposed to lots of profiles online that look similar and tell you everything up front takes the magic away.
- bena 8y agoAnd that's the difference between "listening to your customer" and "listening to your customer". Also we get to see where "the customer is always right" actually falls. Customers said "we want a friend app". You listened to them, you made them what they wanted because they were right. But once you listen to what your customers are actually doing, you realize where you should be focusing your energy. Because the customer can't use the app "wrong", they'll use it how they use it.
- Tade0 8y agoI've heard of people using Linkedin like a dating site and even achieving moderate success. I guess you can't win going against love.