Friendster.com is undergoing major changes including a complete redesign of the site and more features that will appeal to its target market – young people.
The first thing that users will notice is the new Friendster logo. It’s now colored green and written in script that symbolizes connectivity. The smiling friendster face is gone and replaced with a script-written F with a smiley.
In an interview with mobilemauimanila.com, Ben Dunn, Friendster’s Vice President for Philippines and Global Head of Brand Experience, said the changes and new features of the all-new Friendster are brought about by months of advance research.
“We asked users what they love about the site and their favorites. We also asked what they want to do with Friendster in the future. Users participated in the redesign of Friendster.”
The complete redesign will include a more interactive and user-friendly site. One of the highlights of the new site is the Activity Stream that is similar to the Live Feed of another popular networking site, Facebook.
Dunn said they are introducing a lot of new features on the site. The new shout out stream will make it easier to follow your friend’s shout outs and comments. The new photo uploader has virtually unlimited uploading capacity and more interactive functions.
Youth market
In preparation for the site’s relaunch, early this year, Friendster has set up its regional headquarters in Singapore, as part of strengthening its focus on the Asian market particularly the South East Asian youth.
In a previous interview, Ian Stewart of Friendster said South East Asia is the most important market of Friendster. Back then, he said they are working to clean up the site and make it more secure and stable.
Globally, the social networking site has a registered membership of 115 million and in the Philippines, it has the largest single membership of 40 million members.
“Specifically, we are focusing on fun and entertainment for the Asian youth. We want something that will be more appealing to the young market.” The Friendster brand is all about fun and entertainment. It is important for us to focus on one segment and one user interface,” Dunn said.
Interactive and fantastic
Dunn said the upcoming launch of the new site is just the beginning of more changes for Friendster. Next year, the site will launch new gaming and musical portals. “We realize the importance of gaming for our target market. Also, new changes will be introduced to the mobile site.”
As Dunn promised, “We are going to be fantastic at that particular segment and people.”
The new site will be launched online on December 4, 2009. Dunn said there may be time gaps in the launch of the new site depending on locations.
Friendster will not remove the popular testimonial feature but the interface will be different as the new site will focus more on shout outs and comments.
We have yet to see and experience the all-new Friendster, so watch out and be ready for the new Friendster, arriving online on Friday, December 4, 2009.
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