Online reviews business Yelp launched its first Asian website in Singapore this past week, allowing locals to share their opinions about Singapore businesses and services.
Founded by Jeremy Stoppelman and Russell Simmons in San Francisco as a website for reviewing local businesses in July 2004, Yelp has become one of the most visited online review guides in the world with 78 million monthly visitors.
"Singapore has one of the highest per-capita gross domestic products in the world and is home to a vibrant and well-connected melting pot of cultures," Miriam Warren, vice president of new markets, said about why Singapore was chosen for Yelp’s Asian debut.
Yelp will not find itself alone in Asia, where there are existing players in the online review industry, albeit with a focus on restaurants. These websites include Hong Kong-based Openrice.com, Singapore’s Hungrygowhere.com which has 280,000 members and Thailand’s Wongnai.com with 200,000 members under its belt.
The Singapore version of the local reviews guide can be found at www.yelp.com.sg, where free iPhone and Android applications as well as business owner tools can be downloaded.
EW
