Company

Justdial: Transforming Local Search and Business Connectivity in India

Justdial: Transforming Local Search and Business Connectivity in India

JustDial Limited is a comprehensive local search service in India, catering to businesses and consumers alike with its expansive database and variety of offerings. Founded in 1996 by VSS Mani, the company established itself as a pioneer in local search engine services. Initially providing search services over the phone and SMS, JustDial eventually expanded its presence online and developed robust mobile applications to adapt to the digital age. Offering information and user reviews on millions of businesses across diverse sectors, it connects users with valuable insights to make informed decisions.

Hence, JustDial plays a crucial role in enhancing business visibility and providing consumer-friendly solutions across India and beyond.

1. Company Overview

About

AttributeDetails
FoundersVSS Mani
Industry TypeOnline Search, Local Search
Founded1996
HeadquartersMumbai, Maharashtra, India

History

Early Years (1996-2005)

  • 1996: JustDial was founded by V.S.S. Mani, with the goal of making local information easily accessible to the public through a phone-based service.
  • 2004: The company expanded its services to cover major metropolitan cities in India, increasing its reach significantly.

Digital Transformation and Growth (2006-2015)

  • 2007: JustDial launched its website, making its services accessible online, and expanded its database to include small and medium enterprises.
  • 2013: JustDial went public with its initial public offering (IPO) on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE), marking a significant milestone in its journey.

Technological Advancements and Global Recognition (2016-2020)

  • 2017: The company launched its JD Omni suite, providing businesses with an integrated platform for managing customer relations, billing, and online presence.
  • 2019: JustDial introduced JD Pay, a secure payment solution to facilitate easy and quick transactions for users.

Recent Developments and Future Outlook (2021-Present)

  • 2021: Reliance Retail Ventures Limited acquired a majority stake in JustDial, positioning the company for future growth and innovation in the digital services space.
  • 2023: The company continues to expand its services by leveraging advanced technology, including AI-based search results and voice search capabilities, to enhance user experience.

Key Milestones

YearMilestone
1996Founded by V.S.S. Mani as a phone-based local search service.
2007Launched its website, making services accessible online.
2013Listed on the BSE and NSE with its initial public offering.
2017Launched JD Omni, an integrated platform for business management.
2019Introduced JD Pay, a payment solution for secure transactions.
2021Reliance Retail Ventures acquired a majority stake in the company.
2023Continued expansion with AI-based search results and voice search capabilities.

2. Company Culture and Value

Mission

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To provide fast, free, reliable, and comprehensive information to our users and enable discovery and transactions for all products and services.

Core Values

  • Passion: Passionate employees drive success with pride, motivation, and a positive, learning-oriented mindset that inspires others to reach new possibilities.
  • Responsiveness: Facilitate effective collaboration through timely, informed decision-making, while maintaining professionalism and respect for others.
  • Excellence: Cultivate passion by taking pride, inspiring with drive, and embracing learning with a positive, optimistic outlook that unlocks endless possibilities.
  • Fairness: Act without bias, be transparent, and ensure fairness. Ensure equality and promote equity among your teams, peers, and all associations.
  • Integrity: Embrace a steadfast commitment to ethics and integrity, guided by a moral compass that ensures honesty and doing the right thing at all times.
  • Respect: Foster a culture of respect, open communication, cooperation, and constructive feedback for continuous improvement among all associates.

3. Products and Services Offerings

Justdial is a comprehensive local search engine and marketplace that offers a variety of products and services to both consumers and businesses. Hereā€™s an overview of their key offerings:

1. Local Search Services:

  • Search for Businesses: Users can search for various local businesses and services such as restaurants, hotels, medical facilities, repair services, educational institutions, and more, based on location.
  • Categories: Justdial covers a wide array of categories, including health, home services, automotive, entertainment, education, and financial services, among others.
  • Real-Time Information: The platform provides real-time information like business contact details, addresses, reviews, and ratings to help users make informed decisions.

2. Justdial Verified Listings:

  • Verified Businesses: Businesses can apply for a ā€˜Justdial Verifiedā€™ badge, ensuring that their contact information and credentials are accurate and reliable.
  • Enhanced Listings: Businesses can upgrade their listings to gain better visibility on search results and access to more customers.

3. Booking Services:

  • Online Booking: Users can book appointments and reservations for restaurants, doctors, hotels, movie tickets, and more directly through Justdial.
  • Service Booking: Customers can book home services like cleaning, plumbing, carpentry, beauty services, and even cab services.

4. E-Commerce Marketplace:

  • Product Search: Justdial allows users to search for and purchase products across various categories such as electronics, apparel, home appliances, and more.
  • Price Comparison: Users can compare prices from different vendors and choose the best deal.

5. Business Leads and CRM for Businesses:

  • Lead Generation: Justdial offers businesses lead generation services, helping them get connected to potential customers actively seeking their services.
  • Justdial CRM: A business solution to help manage leads, appointments, and customer communication.

6. JD Pay:

  • Payment Gateway: Justdial provides JD Pay, a digital wallet and payment gateway for users and businesses to process online transactions.
  • Secure Payments: It ensures secure payments for users who book services or buy products via Justdial.

7. JD Omni:

  • Business Management Software: JD Omni helps small and medium-sized businesses manage their sales, inventory, and customer relations.
  • Online Presence: JD Omni assists businesses in creating a digital presence with websites and managing their online stores.

8. Advertising Solutions:

  • Sponsored Listings: Businesses can promote their services through sponsored listings and advertisements on Justdial.
  • Customized Campaigns: Justdial offers businesses the option to run targeted ad campaigns based on location, keywords, and user demographics.

9. JD Social:

  • Social Media Management: Justdial provides services for businesses to manage their online reputation, reviews, and social media engagement.
  • Mobile Search: Justdial offers a mobile app that allows users to search and access all of its services on the go.
  • Voice Search: The platform supports voice-based search for users looking for faster, hands-free access to information.

Justdial's combination of local search, e-commerce, and business management solutions makes it a versatile platform for both consumers looking for local services and businesses looking to increase visibility and manage their operations.


4. Financial Performance Highlights

JustDial Stock Performance


Reflecting JustDial's reputation and market adaptability, their stock performance is crucial for investors seeking growth in the local search market. The chart illustrates trends and investment returns over the past year, showcasing patterns and economic resilience.

Key Financial Indicators


Evaluating JustDial's robust financial metrics is vital in understanding its market strategy and future prospects. The table below includes key financial indicators such as profitability, liquidity measures, and broader market metrics for comprehensive financial analysis.

5. Key Competitors of JustDial

Justdial, one of Indiaā€™s leading local search engines, provides business listings, reviews, and other services. Here are some of Justdial's major competitors in the local search and directory services industry:

1. Sulekha

Overview: Sulekha is an Indian online platform providing local business listings and services. Founded in 2007, Sulekha is headquartered in Chennai and has become one of the largest online service marketplaces in India.

Services: Sulekha offers services across categories like home services, repair, fitness, education, and professional services. It connects users to local service providers through its extensive listing platform and allows users to post reviews and ratings.

Market Position: Sulekha is a strong competitor in the online classifieds and local service provider segment, with millions of monthly users across India. It is one of the go-to platforms for connecting service providers with customers.

2. UrbanClap (now Urban Company)

Overview: UrbanClap, now rebranded as Urban Company is an Indian home services marketplace founded in 2014. It connects users to trusted home service professionals like plumbers, cleaners, electricians, beauticians, and more.

Services: Urban Company offers home cleaning, beauty services, appliance repair, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and more. It enables users to book on-demand services from verified professionals directly through its mobile app or website.

Market Position: Urban Company has a strong foothold in the home services space and is considered a key competitor to Justdial in categories like home improvement, repair, and beauty services. It is particularly strong in metro cities and rapidly expanding.

3. AskMe (Now Defunct)

Overview: AskMe was an Indian online platform for local search and business listings, launched in 2010. It aimed to provide users with comprehensive local search solutions, including listings for businesses, jobs, real estate, and classified ads. However, it ceased operations in 2016 due to financial challenges.

Services: AskMe provided listings for local services, real estate, job listings, and e-commerce solutions. It also allowed users to post classified ads and customer reviews on the platform.

Market Position: Before its closure, AskMe was considered a strong competitor to Justdial in the local search and services sector. Its closure left a gap that other competitors like Quikr and Sulekha filled.

4. Google My Business

Overview: Google My Business is a free tool provided by Google to help businesses manage their online presence across Google Search and Maps. Launched in 2014, it allows businesses to create profiles that are visible in local search results.

Services: Google My Business allows businesses to list their services, contact information, photos, and reviews. It integrates with Google Search and Google Maps, making it easy for users to find businesses online and read customer reviews.

Market Position: Google My Business has a dominant presence in the local search market globally. In India, itā€™s one of the strongest competitors to Justdial due to its integration with Google Search and Maps, providing wide visibility and ease of use for businesses and customers alike.

5. Yelp India

Overview: Yelp is an American-based local search, business listing, and review platform, launched in 2004. Yelp India, a localized version of the platform, was introduced to cater to the Indian market, allowing users to find and review local businesses.

Services: Yelp India provides user-generated reviews, ratings, and listings for restaurants, services, and other local businesses. It enables users to search for businesses by category, read reviews, and even book services through the platform.

Market Position: Yelp India hasnā€™t reached the same level of popularity as its U.S. counterpart or as Justdial in India. However, it remains a valuable resource for users looking for crowdsourced reviews and ratings for local businesses.

6. Justdial's CSR Initiatives

Justdial actively contributes to social and environmental sustainability through a variety of CSR initiatives. Below are some of the key focus areas of their CSR programs:

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Water Conservation
Justdial supports water conservation projects aimed at rainwater harvesting and improving irrigation systems in rural areas. They work in partnership with local communities to implement sustainable water management practices.
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Healthcare for the Underprivileged
Through healthcare initiatives, Justdial facilitates free health camps and mobile medical units in underserved areas. They collaborate with hospitals to provide affordable healthcare and ensure that medical assistance reaches remote communities.
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Education Support
Justdial funds scholarships for economically disadvantaged students, focusing on empowering the youth through education. They partner with local schools and NGOs to provide access to quality education and essential learning materials.
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Skill Development
As part of its CSR, Justdial offers vocational training programs for women and youth in rural areas. These initiatives focus on improving employability through skill development and entrepreneurship, helping individuals become financially independent.
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Environmental Sustainability
Justdial promotes environmental sustainability by supporting tree plantation drives and waste management initiatives. They aim to reduce their carbon footprint by encouraging recycling and eco-friendly practices in local communities.
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Digital Literacy
Justdial conducts digital literacy programs to bridge the digital divide in rural and semi-urban areas. By providing training on basic computer skills and online resources, they empower communities to access information and services online.

7. Ā Future Outlook and Strategic Plans

Justdial is focusing on several strategic initiatives to expand its presence and improve services for both businesses and consumers. Here are some of the companyā€™s future plans:

Expansion into Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities

Justdial is focusing on growing its presence in smaller cities across India. By expanding its services to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, the company aims to capture untapped markets and increase its user base.

  • Expanding operations to smaller towns and cities to drive business listings.
  • Partnering with local service providers to offer a wider range of services.

Growth in B2B Services

Justdial is increasing its focus on B2B services, aiming to connect businesses with suppliers, vendors, and service providers. This expansion will enable businesses to find relevant resources easily.

  • Launching initiatives to enhance B2B offerings on its platform.
  • Collaborating with businesses to offer better procurement solutions.

AI and Machine Learning Integration

Justdial is investing in AI and machine learning to improve user experiences on its platform. These technologies will allow the company to offer personalized services and predictive search results.

  • Using AI to refine search results and improve local recommendations.
  • Deploying machine learning models to enhance customer interactions.

Diversifying Revenue Streams

In addition to its core business model of offering listings and ads, Justdial is exploring other revenue-generating services such as online bookings, e-commerce facilitation, and premium listings for businesses.

  • Expanding e-commerce capabilities to allow transactions directly on the platform.
  • Introducing premium paid services for businesses to increase visibility.

Enhancing Mobile User Experience

As mobile usage continues to grow, Justdial is focused on improving its mobile app to provide a seamless experience for users and businesses alike.

  • Developing new features to make the mobile experience more user-friendly.
  • Investing in mobile technology to support local service providers.

Strengthening Partnerships with Local Businesses

Justdial is forming partnerships with more local businesses to provide comprehensive service listings and exclusive deals, further establishing itself as a go-to platform for local commerce.

  • Partnering with service providers across various industries to increase the number of listings.
  • Offering exclusive promotions to attract both businesses and consumers.

8. Conclusion

Justdial has established itself as a prominent player in Indiaā€™s local search and online directory services, providing users with quick access to businesses across industries. With a strong focus on technological innovation and user experience, Justdial offers a wide range of career opportunities, especially in technology, marketing, and operations. By understanding the company's growth strategy, commitment to digital transformation, and role in the local commerce ecosystem, aspiring candidates can better prepare for the recruitment process and thrive in a dynamic environment.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Justdial Candidates:

  • Research the Company: Understand Justdialā€™s service offerings, its technological platform, and its market position. Stay informed about the company's digital transformation and business growth strategies.
  • Prepare for the Interview Process: Familiarize yourself with common interview questions, especially those focusing on your problem-solving abilities and how your experience aligns with Justdialā€™s mission.
  • Demonstrate Cultural Fit: Justdial values innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Highlight your ability to work in a fast-paced environment and demonstrate how your skills can contribute to these core values.
  • Stay Informed: Keep up with trends in online search services, e-commerce, and digital platforms to showcase your commitment to understanding the evolving landscape of Justdialā€™s industry.