For a long period, online dating sites and MySpace have been two different beasts, rarely co-mingling as users maintained two entirely separate online identities. However, that is beginning change. Zoosk, a social dating site, has largely passed under our radar yet, however it is posting some serious stats: the service sees an average of 12 million unique users monthly, and possesses a member base totaling over 40 million. Based on last month’s performance, the business says it features a $$ 30 million run rate, and expects to seal out this holiday season with $18-$20 million in revenue.
Zoosk launched last 2007, possesses been showing some strong growth recently, particularly on MySpace. Zoosk co-founders Alex Mehr and Shayan Zadeh say how the site differentiates itself from other internet dating sites like Match.com by tapping into your social graph. The site has a substantial presence across MySpace including Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, Hi5, and Friendster, and users can check in through the site’s web portal at Zoosk.com. Moreover, when that is insufficient, you are able to reach Zoosk via a desktop AIR client plus a mobile app. To aid build your Zoosk profile, it is possible to import information from whichever social network you are using Zoosk. It is also possible to tie it together with services like Last.fm and Netflix, to offer potential matches proper picture of your music and movie taste.
Your website itself has a friendly but not-overly-serious atmosphere. Mehr and Zadeh say that part of the site’s success has stemmed in the indisputable fact that a lot of its users are usually in the 25-35 yr old demographic, with lots of members who aren’t necessarily buying long-term romantic relationship, which stands compared with more serious online dating sites like eHarmony. A prosperous match on Zoosk may possibly create a return visit in the user — a prosperous match on eHarmony might lead to that user being hitch.
To build revenue, Zoosk gives a premium subscription model for $25 every thirty days (you pay less if you pick multiple months of your time); otherwise, you can find features using the site’s virtual currency. Dubbed “Zoosk coins”, sometimes be tough be used to either buy Face book-like virtual gifts, or buy premium carries a la carte, like the capacity to check if someone has read a note you’ve sent them. While much of the web page’s traffic comes from the social support systems, the internet site’s homepage is likely to monetize more effectively, with around 50% of revenue via each. The website also earns money through advertising.