CNNMoney article: Matchmaking Indian-style
with better business model, increase in funding online matrimony business in India is becoming one of the fastest growing web2.0 service, with a growth trajectory of as high as 90 per cent annually in some cases. Currently membership is estimated at 7million+ users and with 60% annual volume growth.
Now Iam under pressure from friends & family to get onto one of those websites to zero-in 'the perfect one'.
Online matrimony is a project just like offline matrimony. It requires considerable time, energy and capacity to reject/ accept rejection. An interesting experiment was carried out by HT's Brunch supplement. One of their staffers registered two profiles on a dating website. One was an 'adventurous, fun loving, 'wants to live life to the fullest' type' and the other a more staid description. Profile1 was flooded with response (the sex variety) while profile 2 got barely a trickle. And a male journalist who registered his profile got.. absolutely no response.
Problem is success or failure of a dating/ matrimonial site depends on no. of girls registered/ing. I notice common assumption that-- 'open-to-dating' women have enough choices in real life, when they are in the college-age bracket. The trouble starts when you finish your education and into your second job by which time you may have a limited social life and little opportunity to meet new people. That's when people turn to matrimonial websites.
Some interesting Stats - According to IAMAI:
- have a gender ratio of 69% male, 31% female, which is far better.
- 37% of registered users are between age 18-25. so I am guessing they are actually using it for dating purposes. But perhaps the 'matrimonial' purpose of the website cues that 'I am not that type of girl/ guy'. As in I may eventually wish to marry you.
- Marital status : 63% Unmarried, 31% Married without kids, 25% Married with kids, 4% Divorced.
A plausible explanation for such profile data is that these are uncles,aunties,friends,parents of prospective grooms and brides. People like me, searching for other people. But still.. it creeps me out.
Can someone explain web2.0 matrimonial industry data please?
Credits: CNNMoney and YouthCurry
