What can you use the application for?
Yelp is an innovative platform that aims to enable people to post and read reviews on various businesses operating in a city. The website allows its users to find genuine information on wide ranges of business ranging from the most perfect hairstylist to the most hospitable restaurant on the basis of reviews submitted. ‘A reservoir of reviews’ is how Yelp can be understood and ‘help about reviews’ is what it offers. Most of the attempts to make it a success were in the direction of attracting true fanatic reviewers. This was achieved by making them aware of the praise and recognition they get in doing the task genuinely and rating them for their reviews. Both the idea and implementation have been done successfully which is reflected in form of its ever-increasing client base. It can be talked of as a social network that brings the reviewers together to create a ‘reviewosphere’. Lately, it has initiated holding of social events for frequent reviewers to take it a step further. A major contribution to its success was the fact that it started on the site San Francisco. A lot of people initially took it as an entertainment source for browsing, however gradually got into the task as review writing emerged as one of their hobbies. To combat the accusations from some of the business owners that few of the reviews posted are not genuine, a provision for querying the reviewer has been introduced. The priority list has community on the top, consumer comes second and business, on the third. Changes keep taking place to support reviewers.
What is the history and popularity of the application?
Yelp came into existence in 2005 and was founded by Jeremy Stoppleman (the present chief executive) and Russel Simmons (the present chief Technology officer). The chief operating officer is Geoff Donaker. On its launch, it was thought just as another addition to the crowd, but with its range innovative features and the way it works has helped it stand the competition and gain a dedicated user base. It is often recognized amongst the fastest growing sites in its class.
What are the differences to other applications?
The real strength of this website is the genuineness of its content. This is because the user generated stuff is not assisted by professional reviews. Transparency in the system is quite visible to the user. This is a welcome change from the usual encounters with hidden matters.
How does the application look and feel to use?
The home page has a heap of information to throw at the user. However, it is very well placed and structured. Blue and red is seen on a white background. The color combination carries an enthusiastic and lively feel with it. This confirms to the concept of the website. Logo has the name of the application written in black and small case with a little bright red colored flower to the right of it. ‘Real People Real Views’’ is the tagline it bases itself on. Category browsing has small drawings of related figures beside them. As one scrolls down the page, sections like ‘Review of the day’, ‘fresh lists’, ‘today in talk’ and ‘Featured Yelpers’ are displayed. ‘Best of yelp’ has categories of ‘best restaurants’, ‘shopping sites’ and ‘beauty and spas’ as per the ratings. Number of reviews which were used in rating are also stated. Parameters used for rating the places have been thoughtfully finalized thereby making them really helpful in deciding which one to go for out of the options given. The easy to read language which avoid a formal tone allows it to connect to its audience.
How does the registration process work?
The registration process involves the entry of usual data like username, e-mail id, password, zip code, gender and birth date. However, this is a bit long list. The registration does not take much of a time and no confirmatory email is sent to the user’s email address.
What does it cost to use the application?
The website is financially backed by ‘quiet’ advertisements, saving one from the annoying feel one irksome popup ads. However even the textual advertisement is moderated. One can pay to have sponsored links, photos and a portion of information.
Who would you recommend the application to?
The application is of absolute use to people who are into sharing knowledge about the local businesses or to pool in the experiences they had at various occasions. Visitors to a new place can dig for information on hotels, restaurants and similar places. The best part about this site is its genuineness which makes it a sure winner.
