From a simple reviewing site that catered to the needs of users who wanted to know more about various cars available in the market, Vicky.in has increased its operations and range.
The founders continued their effort and built a complete portal where users can buy and sell cars, know more about them and share the information that is useful to almost everybody.
We had an email interview with Karthick.
Q1. Tell us how you got the idea to start Vicky.in?
I (karthick annamalai) and Vicky.in co-founder (Vignesh Annamalai) were from mechanical engineering background. When we thought of building up a portal, we found that there was nothing to address the automotive needs of customer. The magazines had their own portal but customers had to pay subscription to read a review. We started reviewing the cars and listing out specs and the response was so good. We followed the customer’s needs and built it into a complete automotive portal.
Q2. What market-size you are tapping?
Though there is no definitive market share study, to give you a figure. Vicky.in caters to few million customers every month and growing at faster pace M-O-M. Since the brand has developed, repeating customers to vicky.in is reasonably high and our partnership with auto manufacturers has made us to stand tall among the growing competition. We worked with Bajaj Auto as exclusive online partner to sell pulsar miniatures at vicky.in.
Q3. What types of customers you cater to presently?
With vicky.in being a complete automotive portal – catering to all the automotive needs of the customer right from buying process of a car/bike/ebike to servicing to accessories to selling of used cars. We cater to wide range of customers, from a teen and ardent old fan of jeep. I can proudly say, my team has been innovative to cater to different needs of customer. We launched Vickyconnect – India’s first social networking portal exclusively for car and bike owners in 2009 to enable the likeminded automotive fans to group together. Vickyconnect brought us young set of customers. Being in the auto portal, our only miss has been the fair sex which we try to address.
Q4. How has been the response till now?
Right from the first day, customers have appreciated our passion. Initially, manufacturers were little hesitant to accept the online media. Thanks to the Indians love for internet, car and bike manufacturers now makes every campaign around internet and vicky.in has been part of the same.
The response to vicky.in has been tremendous and with increasing response we are sure to redefine how automotive aftermarket works.
Q5. What promotional activities you use to market Vicky.in?
Vicky.in promotional activities are largely around organic promotion barring Google adwords and ads in regional dailies. We have a strong affiliate network to promote our store. Also we do meet-ups – scale models collectors meet-up to promote the brand and engage with our customers.
Q6. Is there any competition in the market?
At vicky.in we face competition from different sections of the industry. We fight with carwale and cardekho for new cars research and used cars, our editorial team face competition from magazines like autocarindia and our car and bike accessories store – vicky.in/shopping faces competition from ever booming e-commerce portals. Naaptol and tradus to name a few.
Q7. What plans are there for the future?
With vicky.in we have made a great stride to our aim of giving a complete automotive solution online. Customers now buy desired car/bike accessories with just a click. We wish to give them better user experience like we see in US where customers can virtually configure their desired accessories. We have a tough challenge ahead to give our customers such an experience in this highly un-organized auto ancillaries industry.
Q8. A message you would like to convey to our readers about starting their own venture.
Congratulations first! You are going to take a courageous step what millions fear to do. Identify your niche, put in your passion, have an eye on your competition and you are sure to succeed.
