MojoPages Does Local Search with Twist

By admin February 20th, 2007

MojoPages, which just recently launched in Alpha, is a new startup that adds a twist to local search: along with the regular “my plumber was good” reviews, users are equipped with much more creative stuff like the ability to post videos and photos.

Users can search for businesses in their hometown, or rate, write reviews and post videos of businesses in their hometown. Each user has their own favourites list, and also have the ability to ask the community for suggests — especially useful when you’ve moved to a new suburb or place. Also, users create their own MojoPages and earn points for their reviews.

While I think such local review services are useful to some users, I really don’t get what the fuss is all about. In the past, we’ve had similar services like SmallTown and Yelp which essentially have the same focus, but sometimes I have to wonder if we need this much of a market traction in something not many people would use. I mean, if you wanted to find a good Sushi restaurant where you live, why not just go hunting for one or ask your friends? In the same way, there has to be a better way to support that Indian restaurant you’ve been visiting for the past few years than to post a video review about it which no one will watch anyway?

Mojo Pages

http://www.smalltown.com Hal

Before the Internet existed, I used the Yellow Pages printed book. I certainly didn’t read the Yellow Pages every day, though; it was a valuable resource I used only on the rare occasions I needed it. I agree with you that I have no interest in reading an online business directory every day, even if it does have a social networking layer to it. But I also believe there are things we can do on the Internet that greatly improve upon the functionality of the good ol’ printed big book. User generated reviews is one improvement. There are many others coming down the pipeline at Smalltown and other sites.
http://www.boonjo.com Avi

Its a little odd why you are pretty against local business listing sites. Somehow you are not happy about them. If you see your post on smalltown, or mojopages you will find that none of it got good review from you.
Now, I must agree a local business listing site might not be the most exciting place to hang out, and they are not as addictive as youtube, but they are useul and they probably holds more business potential than other popular web 2.0 sites.

Really wonder why you are upset about these sites.
Carol

This is a make or break idea. In concept its great, but the reality of how many people will use it is another. The teens and 20 somethings who are web savvy it makes sense, but the people who actually make money the 40 to 50 age crowd are not savvy enough to use it.
http://www.rev2.org/ Sid Yadav

Avi, I’m not really upset about these kind of sites except that I find them, like Carol says, a great concept on paper but something totally different in reality. Basically, if you want to look up a business, ssay a Plumber to fix something, you go to the Yellow Pages. You get an unbiased listing there but in no way do you get to know who’s good and who’s the best. Exactly like Hal says, I am interested in user-generated content, I do find the idea of business reviews, etc. a valuable thing (currently, LinkedIn’s system for this has been one of my favourites), but a site that does all this and drifts off into YouTube? Pfft. I know we can get better.
john alden life insurance

Very exceptional pieces of information. Very nice webpage though. I applaud

Rev2.org