Online SNS in China IM Extension

The entire online world has taken notice of the phenomenal membership growth of social network services (SNSs) such as MySpace and Facebook. Now China’s SNS market is entering the development stage.

To learn more about current and potential user attitudes toward SNS and mobile SNS, In-Stat conducted an online survey of 704 respondents. The survey’s findings include that SNS has become “sticky,” i.e., these services have cultivated loyal memberships. Also, the SNS market in China has entered a phase of rapid development, whereas mobile SNS is at an early stage of development. Overall, Chinese consumers appear to have moderate interest in SNS and comparatively low interest in mobile SNS.

This report analyzes survey responses regarding user behavior and preferences relating to SNS. Our results show that SNSs based on IM, especially local websites such as QQ Space, are highly popular with respondents. SNS use in China is closely related to IM use, and the long-tail SNS market is of considerable size. Most of the other preferred social networking sites are popular portal websites. Finally, respondent payment and advertisement preferences reveal the business model that most would prefer to use.

Table of Contents


Executive Summary

Definitions

Introduction

Survey Demographics

Survey Results

Current User Survey

Mobile SNS

Potential User Survey

Level of Interest

Preferred Ads

Preferred Uses

Preferred Functions

Conclusions

Methodology

Related Reports

List of Figures

Figure 1. Respondent Age

Figure 2. Respondent Gender

Figure 3. Respondent Monthly Income (US$)

Figure 4. Respondent Time Spent Traveling for Business on Work Days

Figure 5. Respondent Attitudes Toward New Technology

Figure 6. How Satisfied Are You With SNS?

Figure 7. Are You Willing to Pay for SNS?

Figure 8. Which Payment Method Do You Prefer?

Figure 9. How Much Are You Willing to Pay Monthly for SNS? (US$)

Figure 10. What Do You Use SNS for?

Figure 11. Primary Uses of SNS, by Age

Figure 12. Which SNS Websites Do You Use?

Figure 13. SNS Websites Used, by Age

Figure 14. How Many Hours Do You Spend Using SNS per Week?

Figure 15. Weekly Time Spent Using SNS, by Age

Figure 16. Which SNS Functions Do You Use Most Often?

Figure 17. Are You Interested in Using Mobile SNS?

Figure 18. Reasons for Lack of Interest

Figure 19. How Much Are You Willing to Pay Monthly for Mobile SNS?

Figure 20. Which Types of Ads Are You Willing to Receive on Mobile SNS?

Figure 21. Acceptable Types of Mobile SNS Ad, by Age

Figure 22. Which Mobile SNS Functions Are You Most Interested In?

Figure 23. Do You Plan to Use SNS in the Future?

Figure 24. Why Don’t You Currently Use SNS?

Figure 25. Which Types of Ads Are You Willing to Receive on SNS?

Figure 26. What Will You Use SNS for?

Figure 27. Which SNS Functions Are You Most Interested in? 


For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/6658ad/online_sns_in_chin

China's Xiaonei.com To Open Payment System To Third Parties

China's leading social networking services website Xiaonei.com has announced plans to open its Internet payment system application program interface, making it the first SNS website that has opened its payment system to third parties.
The opening of Xiaonei.com's payment system to open platforms aims to help more third party companies, to help them gain profits and get through the coming financial crisis. Xiaonei.com has reportedly allowed all qualified application developers enter its payment system from October 17, 2008. At present, several application developing teams have joined the payment system and the engineers of the website are helping them to get used to this system and guide them to design proper charging models.
Xu Chaojun, vice president of China InterActive Corp, which is a major stakeholder in Xiaonei.com, says that Xiaonei.com's payment system has established cooperations with many Chinese banks and third-party payment software developers. With this platform, the entire payment process can be easily handled and the only thing for the application developers to think about is how to get the money into their users' pockets.

source:chinatechnews