A rising middle class with disposable income has resulted in many Chinese pet lovers becoming seriously invested in their fur babies. Taking advantage of the pampered pet market, a start-up team in China has developed a pet-only social networking app.
With an impressive 500,000 users (and growing), SmellMe connects pets to other users and pet services in the surrounding area. By searching for certain pet breeds, interests, or by location, users can link up with similar pets or discover local pet businesses. To sign up, a user creates a profile of their pet, complete with a cute profile pic, additional photos, and short video clips.
SmellMe collects its revenue when users rate pet-focused businesses in the directory, such as vet services, doggy wash stations and pet hotels. Available for both iPhone and Android, Smell Me brings the pet community closer by combining Yelp's location-focused search and rate system with the fuzzier side of Facebook.
Pet-Focused Networking Apps
Cats and Dogs Can Network too with the SmellMe App
Trend Themes
1. Pet Social Networking - The success of SmellMe highlights a growing trend of social networking apps targeting pet owners and their furry companions.
2. Pampered Pet Market - The development of pet-specific social networking apps highlights the potential for disruptive innovation in the pampered pet market.
3. Location-based Pet Services - Apps like SmellMe, which connect pet owners with local pet services, demonstrate the rising importance of location-based technology in the pet industry.
Industry Implications
1. Technology - The rise of pet-focused social networking apps provides opportunities for technological disruption in the pet industry.
2. Pet Care Services - SmellMe's revenue model is based on rating and reviewing pet-focused businesses, highlighting a potential for disruption in the pet care services industry.
3. Mobile App Development - The success of SmellMe and other pet-specific social networking apps highlights a growing demand for mobile app development targeting the pet industry.