Making the Most of Your Living Social Life
LivingSocial is a former online marketplace that focused on offering deals and discounts on various goods and services such as travel, dining, entertainment, and more. The company was founded in 2007 and was headquartered in Washington, D.C. LivingSocial operated in numerous countries and had more than 70 million members worldwide.
In 2016, LivingSocial was acquired by Groupon, another well-known online marketplace for deals and discounts. Since then, LivingSocial’s website has redirected to Groupon’s website, and its services have been integrated into Groupon’s platform.
History and Founding of LivingSocial:
LivingSocial was founded in 2007 by Tim O’Shaughnessy, Aaron Batalion, Eddie Frederick, and Val Aleksenko in Washington, D.C. The company’s initial focus was to offer deals and discounts on local services such as restaurants, spas, and events through its website and mobile app.
LivingSocial quickly gained popularity and expanded its services to other countries such as Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. By 2011, LivingSocial had raised over $800 million in funding from various investors, including Amazon.com.
In 2013, LivingSocial faced financial challenges due to intense competition in the deals and discounts market and had to lay off a significant portion of its workforce. In 2016, Groupon acquired LivingSocial for an undisclosed amount, and since then, LivingSocial has redirected its website to Groupon’s platform.
LivingSocial’s Business Model and Services:
LivingSocial’s business model was based on offering daily deals and discounts on various goods and services through its website and mobile app. The company worked with local businesses to create attractive offers for its customers and took a commission on every sale made through its platform.
LivingSocial’s services included deals and discounts on a wide range of categories such as travel, dining, events, beauty, and wellness. Customers could purchase these deals and vouchers through LivingSocial’s website or mobile app, and then redeem them at the respective businesses.
LivingSocial also offered a loyalty program called “LivingSocial Plus,” which provided members with additional discounts and perks on top of the regular deals offered on the platform.
Additionally, LivingSocial had a feature called “Adventures,” which offered unique and exciting experiences such as hot air balloon rides, wine tastings, and cooking classes. The company also had a travel section where customers could find deals on hotels, flights, and vacation packages.
Competitors of LivingSocial:
LivingSocial faced intense competition in the daily deals and discounts market, with several other companies offering similar services. Some of LivingSocial’s main competitors were:
- Groupon – Groupon was LivingSocial’s biggest competitor in the deals and discounts market. The company offered daily deals and discounts on a wide range of products and services, similar to LivingSocial.
- Amazon Local – Amazon Local was a daily deals service offered by Amazon.com. It provided deals and discounts on local products and services, including restaurants, spas, and entertainment.
- Travel zoo – Travel zoo was a travel deals website that offered discounts on hotels, flights, and vacation packages. The company also provided deals on local services such as restaurants, spas, and events.
- Yelp Deals – Yelp Deals was a deals and discounts service offered by Yelp, a popular online review platform. The service provided deals and discounts on local services such as restaurants, spas, and events.
- Google Offers – Google Offers was a daily deals service offered by Google that provided discounts on local products and services, including restaurants, spas, and entertainment.
Customer Experience with LivingSocial:
LivingSocial aimed to provide its customers with a seamless and easy-to-use platform for finding and purchasing deals and discounts on various products and services. The company’s website and mobile app were designed to be user-friendly and visually appealing, with a simple interface that made it easy to browse and purchase deals.
Customers who purchased deals through LivingSocial generally had positive experiences, with many praising the platform for offering great discounts on a wide range of products and services. However, some customers also reported negative experiences, such as difficulty redeeming vouchers or issues with the quality of the products or services offered.
LivingSocial’s customer service team was available to assist customers with any issues or concerns they had with their purchases. The company also had a refund policy that allowed customers to request a refund within a certain timeframe if they were not satisfied with their purchase.
Overall, LivingSocial’s customer experience was generally positive, with the platform offering a convenient and accessible way for customers to find and purchase deals and discounts on a wide range of products and services.
Conclusion:
LivingSocial was a popular online marketplace that offered deals and discounts on various goods and services through its website and mobile app. The company faced intense competition in the daily deals and discounts market, with competitors such as Groupon, Amazon Local, and Yelp Deals.
LivingSocial’s business model was based on working with local businesses to create attractive offers for its customers, taking a commission on every sale made through its platform. The company’s services included deals and discounts on a wide range of categories, such as travel, dining, events, beauty, and wellness.
While LivingSocial generally provided a positive customer experience, some customers reported issues with voucher redemption and the quality of the products or services offered. Overall, LivingSocial provided a convenient and accessible way for customers to find and purchase deals and discounts on various products and services, making it a popular choice in the deals and discounts market.
