 "Matrimony sites cash in on 'counselling' as divorce rates go up")
Until now, matrimony sites would just make two single people meet. Now, concerned over the rising number of divorces, they are also coaching the young for a happy married life.
According to an Economic Times article, matrimonial sites are now offering prospective brides and grooms counselling services and books on the dos and don’ts of marriage to ensure couples who meet online stay happily married.
According to lawyers and experts that the paper spoke to, matrimonial dispute arise mostly because ofmisrepresentation of facts by people during online interactions.
[caption id=“attachment_910817” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Reuters[/caption]
Matrimony sites admit that posting incorrect age, religion, lying about salary or marital status are the most common problems.They say they are trying to build online social connections through LinkedIn and Facebook to build trust.
Gourav Rakshit, COO at Shaadi.com tells ET that they advise couples to to get to know each other for at least six months before they tie the knot with someone they have met online.
While Shaadi.com has set up a series of online campaigns and counselling services,BharatMatrimony.com, is distributing 50,000 copies of a book that lays down the principles for a successful marriage and ways to sustain it, reports ET.
Read the ET article here.According to the Internet and Mobile Association of India, the online matrimony market is valued at Rs 510 crore and is growing at around 30 percent annually. However, a number of these companies feelthreatened by the growing number of divorce rates. And that’s why, these portals are trying to make money in various other ways.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsConsim Info Pvt Ltd, which owns a string of matrimonial-related consumer Internet properties, including BharatMatrimony.com, is hoping to go public sometime next year, reports techcircle.
Matrimony.com has been among the top Internet firms expected to go public, though it has not announcedany time frame for the same.
According to reports, Matrimony.com raised $8.65 million in its first round of funding in 2006 from Yahoo and Canaan Partners, followed by a second round of funding worth $11.75 million from Yahoo, Mayfield Fund and Canaan Partners.
Two years ago Yahoo exited the firm by selling its stake to Bessemer Venture Partners besides existing VC investors, Canaan Partners and Mayfield Fund. The techcircle report notes that the IPO may mean possible part or full exits for some of its existing investors.
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