Jagat: Learning From Zenly's Success and Struggles in Location-Based Social Apps

Jagat: A Zenly Clone Riding the LBS Social Wave

LBS (Location-Based Services) social apps are experiencing a surge in popularity, with new players constantly entering the market. Jagat, a newcomer attempting to carve its niche, closely resembles Zenly, a popular app that was acquired by a tech giant. While both apps offer similar features like real-time location tracking and interactive maps, Jagat faces an uphill battle in standing out from its established competitor.

Mirroring Features, Seeking Differentiation:

Jagat allows users to "light up" their journeys on a world map, creating a visual representation of their past travels, reminiscent of the popular slogan "The world is so big, I want to see it all." To attract existing Zenly users, Jagat offers data import capabilities and introduces the "Time Footprint" feature.

This feature allows users to visualize their past locations as if they were revealing a hidden masterpiece with each point representing a visited location. Jagat also emphasizes visual appeal with five dynamic motion trails for users while moving on the map, creating a "walking in style" effect. The app offers both standard and satellite map views, ensuring users experience realistic imagery and vibrant colors.

However, Jagat falls short compared to Zenly's immersive 3D models of famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building, which elevate the user experience beyond simply tracking location. This focus on engaging content is a common strategy for high-user-retention products.

The Challenge of Monetization:

Zenly, despite its massive user base and engagement, struggled to achieve profitability even after significant investments post-acquisition. While users in regions with higher online spending like Europe and the US showed low willingness to pay, this concern is magnified in other markets.

Jagat, despite reaching nearly 10 million downloads in a year and a half, only generates around $300,000 in revenue, primarily from Southeast Asia. This mirrors the struggles of similar LBS social apps like MixerBox and whoo, highlighting the ongoing challenges in monetizing this market segment.

Exploring New Revenue Streams:

Jagat relies on user referrals for growth, offering in-app rewards (Pops) for inviting friends. While it offers three subscription-based in-app purchases, most features remain free, contributing to its low revenue. The app's success hinges on finding innovative monetization strategies.

One approach is leveraging the social aspect of LBS. Features like paid access to non-friend information, user visit history, and in-app tipping within private messages could drive revenue. Additionally, incorporating "mass reviews" and ratings based on visited locations, similar to a platform like Yelp, could enhance social engagement and create new monetization opportunities.

Conclusion:

While Jagat draws inspiration from Zenly's success, it needs to carve its unique path through innovation and exploration. Balancing privacy concerns with user trust is crucial for sustainable growth. The key challenge lies in convincing users to spend money on the platform. Emphasizing social features and exploring alternative revenue streams could be the stepping stones to Jagat achieving lasting success in the crowded LBS social app market.

Just like illuminating paths on a map, Jagat has the potential to shine brightly in the future, carving its own unique space within the ever-expanding world of location-based social experiences.