Internet in India

Here are some of the facts and figures about internet consumers in India, the numbers have been compiled from different sources and research papers. For all those people who want to aim e-shoppers for their business, these statistics would give you a launching point.

Total online “Active users” (as of September 2006): 37 million. Source

Total online “Active users” estimate: 100 million by 2007-08. Source

Total market potential: Expected at Rs 2300 Cr by 2006-2007

Age group:

18-25 : 25%

26-35 : 46%

36-45 : 18%

What is selling?

Books, Electronic goods, Railway tickets, Apparel, Gifts, Computers and peripherals, Airline tickets, Music and Movies, Hotel rooms, Magazines, Home tool and Products, Home, Appliances, Jewelry, Movie Tickets, Beauty Products, Health and fitness products, Gift Certificates, Sporting goods.

How much are they spending?

Rs 500-1000 – 25%

Rs 1000 – 5000 – 39%

Rs 5000 – 10000 – 13%

Rs >10000 - 11%

Apart from that the total investment in 2006 is likely to be $6.3 billion, a number that is more than five times the amount invested in 2000. Source

While India rides the VC wave, it’s the best time to innovate, raise a VC investment and execute. Like most other good things even this will come to an end, so even before the “Bubble 2.0” is pricked lets just make some good use of it.

There’s a very inspiring google video on “Leveraging India as India stands up” where Prof. Ashok JhunJhunwala talks about the different opportunities India has to offer.

Note: I would publish more of these statistics on a day to day basis, you can also get the research paper from IAMAI website

Claims

Market size of Rs. 58 crore, expected growth 50%
-Source

On a, all-India basis, about 30-50 people get married through Bharatmatrimony.com daily. These are counts based on people who inform us about it. Some of them don’t inform, so the count could actually be higher.
-Source

Market Share

TOP INTERNET GAINERS FOR THE YEAR 2005 E-matrimony:
Shaadi.com
Bharatmatrimony.com
timesmatri.com
jeevansathi.com
-Source
When it comes to matrimony sites, Bharatmatrimony and Shaadi have the highest preference among consumers and fight it out for the top position in that category. Shaadi.com and Bharatmatrimony.com are the two biggest websites in the online matrimonial space, each with 33 per cent user preference. They command an almost equal share of this classifieds vertical. Some 16 per cent of those who search for their significant others on the web head to Jeevansaathi.com. Interestingly, Jeevansaathi has entered the top three rung this year; last year, it did not even make it to the top five slots.
-Source

Recent Investments

Shaadi.com received funding in March’06 and now yahoo invests in BharatMatrimony.com
-Source

The Changing Direction - Assisted Internet

Well, majority of online consumer base at these matrimonial sites happens to be NRIs. The market seems immature to embrace online matrimony. The other problem is internet penetration, so setting up centers in cities helps, but the first issue remains.

An Interesting Revenue Model - iRishta

iRishta.com, the free matrimony site, has come up with a very innovative business model, using which they claim to create waves in the online matrimony market.

“We would make money by advertising our competitors.”

I am not aware of any particular business management term for this, I’d love to call it “parasitic existence“.

(How else would we survive?. The very fact that the last post on the blog is dated “June 12, 2006″, points to the dormancy of the site, or is it active?)

Opinion:
It would still take some time for this market to boom. The changing consumer mindset and social structure leading to more independent thinking would certainly help these sites cash in.

Quick Comments/Review(My personal opinion)
1. Shaadi.com - Good UI, very popular with NRIs, decent features with astrology and video club
2. BharatMatrimony - Just average UI, offers verified profiles, average number of Indian profiles
3. JeevanSathi - Below average UI, good number of Indian profiles, decent customer care.
4. iRishta - I’ve already written enough about this one