As per alexa, China top 50 sites has only three global companies in there – Google, Yahoo, MSN/Live/MS – rest all seem to be Chinese companies. By contrast, India top 50 includes Google/Orkut, Yahoo, MSN/Live/MS as well as sites like youtube, blogger, rapidshare, wikipedia, tom(!), megaupload, monsterindia, xboard, facebook, screensavers, ebay, starware, digitalpoint, imdb, flickr, hi5, imagevenue, uusee(!) and wordpress.
Why is it that the Indian landscape has allowed for far fewer categories to be led by Indian businesses? One clear reason seems to be that english is the dominant language being used on the internet – even as local languages begin to grow, this balance is unlikely to tip in next few years.
The other interesting part is that all web 2.0 oriented sites (italicized in above list) are global sites – the fact they are making it to top sites means that usage is there. Is it that we are overlooking the opportunity around web 2.0? or, just looking at it too late? is our better connectivity into the global community driving this (in which case, perhaps Indian entrepreneurs should look to embrace this phenomenon.) Or, are we beginning to lag behind on “state of the art” on the internet, in terms of web 2.0 pieces of technology, and in terms of imbibing the consumer-involvement model of web 2.0 businesses? I have long felt that the quality of user experience on most Indian sites falls short of global standards. Falling behind on the UI expertise, technology and business models that lead internet growth globally can have a serious impact on future entrepreneurial potential of this space in India.
what do people think?
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Hi Alok
Nice observation. I had this kind of observation when used alexa first time few month back.You have pointed out one major reason that is language.
As a customer I can tell you another major resaon for this : lack of innovation. indian entreprenuer had very sluggish in keeping their venture in tune with the unusully fast changes happening in internet world. They lack in every sphere be it content,UI,design,crowdsourcing,technology( rss,wiki,widgets,bookmarking).
They should keep in mind that they already have one handicap that they are not three “true innovators” (nethier in idea generation nor execution and bringing new technology) and when you use “creative imitation ” as strategy you have to give extra effort in diferentiation and personalisation.
Present indian internet customer are highly informed about the first and best in market .Unless there is need induced baised towards indian web service they will prefer to go to best service provider.
Indian consumer service provider lack in in brand image and loyality factor as being pure imitaters they failed to give superior user experience.Indina portal reflect web1.0 mindset.Newssites content reflect lack of interest and understanding of internet media on part of managment.And last but not least content reflect that they are not working HARD.
I am just wondering weather they are plain lazy or there is valid reason behind such behaviour.
I feel the current internet users from India are tech savvy and english is their primary language of communication. So they would easily prefer and adapt to the global websites. Any indian web 2.0 startup will have to compete directly with the global companies. Probably there is not much scope for web 2.0 / social networking startups in India as long as they stick to english educated and metro users. It might become a viable market only when the internet reaches the masses and websites then tune their site for non-metro users and with local language content.
– Ashwin
Nice to read an article that raises almost the same questions we have been asking ourselves.
The solution is that we Indians need to feel proud to be Indians, realise that we are a big market as Indians globally, and create solutions that specifically address Indian needs.
What we need to do is ofcourse build strong brands,not just try to make money. Set high standards in packaging (gui) & communication, and do great marketing. (having a good product or service is just not enough)
Finally, understand & focus on the needs of the Indian market, (it is quite different from the US or European markets) and build products/services for the indian market.
We would be launching soon a site that addresses the needs of indians, when they are looking for a branded product or service. Would like feedback on the UI, do check the beta site : http://www.indibiz.tv
We hope this would be the start of an indian revolution, in UI, branding & marketing
Here in India the awareness of web2.0 is late when compare to another countries.But now it is good to hear many website are build up based on web2.0.
I feel primary reason is indeed English…
Especially, the demographics that uses internet in India, is primarily city centric english speaking young population…
This can be said also about Hollywood movies…