This web app uses cookies to compile statistic information of our users visits. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. If you wish you may change your preference or read about cookies

close

Why Citysearch's Business Model is so successful?

Get all the answers

Embed code:

x
Copy the code below and embed it in yours to show this business model canvas in your website.

Citysearch’s Company Overview


Citysearch, established in 1995, is an online city guide that helps users explore and discover local businesses, services, and attractions in various cities across the United States. Acquired by IAC in 1998, Citysearch has evolved into a comprehensive platform, providing valuable information and user reviews to aid individuals in making informed decisions about local businesses.

Citysearch is an online city guide that provides information about businesses in dining, entertainment, retail, travel, and professional services in cities throughout the United States. Visitors to each of Citysearch's local city guides will find contact information, maps, driving directions, editorial, and user reviews for the businesses listed. Citysearch is headquartered in West Hollywood, California, and is an owned and operated website of CityGrid Media, an operating business of IAC (NASDAQ: IACI).

Citysearch operates on a business model that provides a centralized platform for users to find, review, and engage with local businesses. The platform aggregates information about restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and services, offering a one-stop solution for individuals looking to explore their city or plan activities. Citysearch primarily acts as an intermediary between users and local businesses, facilitating connections and promoting community engagement.

Citysearch generates revenue through various channels, primarily focusing on advertising and marketing services for local businesses. The platform offers businesses the opportunity to create profiles, feature promotions, and display advertisements to reach a broader audience. Revenue is also generated through sponsored listings, where businesses pay for enhanced visibility and prominence in search results. Additionally, Citysearch may employ a pay-per-click (PPC) or pay-per-impression (PPI) model for certain advertising features. The platform's success is tied to its ability to connect local businesses with potential customers and provide a valuable resource for users seeking reliable information about their city.

https://www.citysearch.com/

Headquater: West Hollywood, California, US

Foundations date: 1986

Company Type: Private

Sector: Information & Media

Category: Platform

Digital Maturity: Fashionista


Citysearch’s Related Competitors



Citysearch’s Business Model Canvas


Citysearch’s Key Partners
  • Yelp
  • Ticketmaster
  • Uber
  • Insiders Pages
  • My Time
  • CityGrid Media
  • Whitepages.com
  • Urbanspoon
  • Grubhub
  • Facebook
  • Foursquare
  • Google
  • Yahoo
  • Bing
Citysearch’s Key Activities
  • marketing
  • advertising
  • product development
  • partnerships
  • customer service
  • maintenance
  • operations
  • traffic
Citysearch’s Key Resources
  • The Citysearch network of local city guides
  • The CityGrid advertising network
  • Content
  • Citysearch.com has won multiple awards including a Webby Award
  • Citysearch has over 300.000 advertisers and its revenue was estimated to be around $50–100 million
Citysearch’s Value Propositions
  • Citysearch helps you find local businesses in your city and neighborhood
  • Citysearch is a leading online local guide that enables its users to get to know their communities through the expertise of local writers
  • Social networking
  • Local advertising
Citysearch’s Customer Relationships
  • word-of-mouth
  • self-service
  • automation
  • community
Citysearch’s Customer Segments
  • users looking for local information
  • businesses of all sizes
Citysearch’s Channels
  • Website
  • Mobile
  • Social networks
  • Blog
Citysearch’s Cost Structure
  • citysearch.com
  • Advertising
  • Marketing
  • Network
  • Staff
  • Technology
  • Operations
  • Legal
  • Taxes
Citysearch’s Revenue Streams
  • advertising
  • premium services
  • leads generation
  • search marketing
  • display ads
  • enhanced profile
  • featured listing
  • sponsored listing
  • video production

Vizologi

A generative AI business strategy tool to create business plans in 1 minute

FREE 7 days trial ‐ Get started in seconds

Try it free

Citysearch’s Revenue Model


Citysearch makes money by combining different business models. Below, you will find the list of the different monetization strategies identified for this company:

  • Advertising
  • Featured listings
  • Two-sided market
  • Channel aggregation
  • Brokerage
  • Transaction facilitator
  • Subscription
  • Experience
  • Customer loyalty
  • Disruptive trends
  • Lean Start-up
  • User design
  • Community-funded
  • Take the wheel
  • Self-service
  • Reputation builders
  • Radical transparency
  • Product innovation
  • Online marketplace
  • On-demand economy
  • One-off experience
  • Online to Offline O2O
  • Mobile first behavior
  • Micro-segmentation
  • Markets are conversations
  • Long tail
  • Layer player
  • Ingredient branding
  • Exposure
  • Digital
  • Customer data
  • Corporate innovation
  • Combining data within and across industries
  • Codifying a distinctive service capability
  • Blue ocean strategy
  • Benchmarking services
  • Archetypes of business model design
Analytics


Market Overview
  • Patterns
  • Sectors
  • Categories
  • Companies
  • Right click on the nodes to explore

Citysearch’s Case Study


Citysearch's CASE STUDY

As we delve into Citysearch's evolution, a remarkable journey from a fledgling city guide to a comprehensive digital platform unfolds. This is a testament to its resilience, strategic acumen, and adaptability in the rapidly changing digital landscape. Established in 1995 and acquired by IAC in 1998, Citysearch offers a fascinating case study of how a company can redefine its value proposition while maintaining its core identity.

The Genesis of Citysearch

Citysearch was born out of a simple yet profound idea: to help users explore and discover local businesses, services, and attractions in their cities. From its inception in West Hollywood, California, Citysearch's ambition was to be the go-to online city guide in the United States. This vision propelled it into becoming an invaluable resource for users seeking reliable information about dining, entertainment, retail, travel, and professional services. Citysearch’s commitment to serving local communities is reflected in its comprehensive listings. Each local city guide provides contact information, maps, driving directions, editorial, and user reviews, creating an intuitive and enriching experience for users.

Developing a Unique Value Proposition

What sets Citysearch apart in the crowded digital marketplace is its dual approach to value creation. For users, Citysearch provides an indispensable service that informs, saves time, and reduces effort. It boasts over 300,000 advertisers and features information from renowned partners like Yelp, Ticketmaster, Uber, and Grubhub. This extensive network ensures users receive the most current and comprehensive details available. For businesses, Citysearch offers a robust digital marketing platform. Companies can create profiles, feature promotions, and display advertisements, drawing attention from a broader audience. This mix of user-generated content and professional advertising creates a vibrant ecosystem where local businesses can thrive.

Revenue Channels and Monetization Strategies

Citysearch's primary revenue streams revolve around advertising and marketing services. For instance, businesses can pay for sponsored listings to gain enhanced visibility. According to CityGrid Media, the advertising network behind Citysearch, the platform generated an estimated revenue of $50-100 million (CityGrid Media, 2023). This figure underscores the significant economic impact that effective digital advertising can yield. The business has cleverly diversified its income sources by employing models like pay-per-click (PPC) and pay-per-impression (PPI) alongside more traditional forms of ad revenue. These diverse revenue streams provide financial resilience and underscore the platform’s capacity to evolve with market trends.

Strategic Partnerships and Market Positioning

Citysearch’s strategic partnerships with other digital giants have been crucial to its sustained success. Collaborations with Yelp, Ticketmaster, Uber, and others have enriched its service offerings, making it a one-stop solution for users. By integrating events from Ticketmaster and dining options from Grubhub, Citysearch presents a holistic view of city life. Additionally, partnerships with search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing ensure that Citysearch’s listings are readily accessible. These relationships have not only expanded its reach but also enhanced its credibility in the digital space.

Execution and Adaptation in the Digital Age

Throughout its journey, Citysearch has shown an exceptional ability to adapt to technological advancements and changing user behaviors. The company has embraced mobile-first behavior, evidenced by its user-friendly mobile app and a responsive website that cater to on-the-go users. Moreover, its focus on customer loyalty and community engagement has built a dedicated user base. The platform's reliance on both editorial reviews and user-generated content creates a balanced perspective that fosters trust. As Philip Kotler suggests in his book, "Marketing 4.0", blending customer input with expert opinions creates a richer, more reliable user experience (Kotler, 2017).

Operational and Financial Insights

Citysearch operates efficiently with a focus on key activities like marketing, advertising, product development, partnerships, and customer service. These activities are supported by significant investments in technology and staff, ensuring the platform remains current and operationally sound. According to the Harvard Business Review, a company's adaptability and customer-centric approach are crucial for long-term success (HBR, 2022). Citysearch embodies these principles by constantly updating its offerings and maintaining strong customer relationships through word-of-mouth, self-service, and community engagement.

The Road Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges

Despite its success, Citysearch faces challenges typical of digital platforms. The rise of competitors and changing user preferences require continuous innovation. However, Citysearch's ability to aggregate crucial city-specific data and its established reputation position it well for future growth. Looking forward, opportunities lie in further leveraging data analytics to enhance user experiences and developing new revenue models. As Clayton Christensen posits in "The Innovator's Dilemma," companies must continuously disrupt themselves to stay ahead (Christensen, 2016). Citysearch’s willingness to adapt and innovate suggests it understands and is prepared to meet this challenge.

Conclusion

Citysearch stands as a beacon of how a digital platform can successfully evolve while staying true to its core mission. From a simple city guide to a comprehensive digital ecosystem, Citysearch has demonstrated resilience, strategic foresight, and a deep understanding of its market. As we look ahead, Citysearch’s journey offers valuable lessons for businesses striving to connect with local communities in meaningful and profitable ways.


If you enjoyed this content, you’re in for a treat! Dive into our extensive repository of business model examples, where we’ve dissected and analyzed thousands of business strategies from top tech companies and innovative startups. Don’t miss out!

+100 Business Book Summaries

We've distilled the wisdom of influential business books for you.

Zero to One by Peter Thiel.
The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek.
Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan.