Websites using Hatena

Okay, let s break down Hatena, a Japanese internet company, focusing on your requested points: overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing (where applicable), and customer care details.

Overview of Hatena

Hatena is a Japanese internet company primarily known for its diverse range of services, including:

• Hatena Bookmark (はてなブックマーク): A popular social bookmarking service that allows users to save and share web pages, discover trending links, and participate in discussions. It s essentially a Japanese equivalent to Delicious or Digg (though with its own unique features and culture).
• Hatena Blog (はてなブログ): A blogging platform offering both free and paid options, known for its ease of use, community focus, and customization options. It s a well-established platform in Japan.
• Hatena Diary (はてなダイアリー): A legacy blogging platform that has largely been replaced by Hatena Blog, though some users still maintain diaries there.
• Hatena Question (はてな質問): A Q&A platform where users can ask and answer questions, similar to Quora or Stack Overflow.
• Hatena Keyword (はてなキーワード): A collaborative dictionary/encyclopedia-like service where users can define and discuss terms.
• Hatena Antenna (はてなアンテナ): A web feed reader that allows users to follow their favorite websites and blogs.
• Various B2B Services: Hatena also offers some B2B services, including server management and website hosting solutions.

Key Characteristics of Hatena:

• Community-Focused: Many of Hatena s services emphasize community engagement, with features for interaction and sharing.
• Japanese-Centric: While some services might be usable by non-Japanese speakers, Hatena s primary user base is in Japan and much of its content is Japanese.
• Established Brand: Hatena has been a key player in the Japanese internet landscape for many years.

Revenue

Hatena s revenue streams are diverse, and exact figures are not publicly disclosed in as much detail as public companies. However, revenue likely comes from:

• Advertising: Ads are displayed on various Hatena services, especially on the free blog and bookmark platforms.
• Subscription Fees: Hatena Blog Pro offers paid plans with additional features, generating revenue through subscriptions.
• B2B Services: Sales of server management and website hosting solutions to businesses contribute to revenue.
• Data Analytics: Hatena might leverage user data for insights that could be sold or used for targeted advertising, although this isn t publicly declared.

Alternatives to Hatena

The specific alternatives depend on the Hatena service you re interested in. Here are some examples:

• Hatena Bookmark:
  • Pocket: A popular bookmarking service with a clean interface.
  • Raindrop.io: Another bookmarking service focused on organization and powerful features.
  • Diigo: A social bookmarking service with more focus on collaboration.
• Hatena Blog:
  • WordPress: A widely used CMS platform, offering a lot of flexibility and customization.
  • Medium: A platform focused on content creation and readership.
  • Blogger: Google s free blogging platform.
  • Tumblr: A microblogging platform with a strong focus on media sharing.
• Hatena Question:
  • Quora: A large and well-known Q&A platform.
  • Stack Exchange: A network of Q&A sites focusing on specific topics, especially technical ones.
  • Yahoo! Answers (Legacy): No longer operating, but was a major player in the Q&A field.
• Hatena Keyword:
  • Wikipedia: The largest and most well-known online encyclopedia.
  • Wiktionary: A collaborative, multilingual dictionary project.

Pricing (Hatena Blog Example)

Hatena Blog offers both free and paid (Pro) options.

• Free Plan: Provides basic blogging features, storage, and a Hatena subdomain. You ll see advertisements on your blog.
• Hatena Blog Pro: A paid subscription that includes:
  • Custom domain name support
  • Increased storage
  • Removal of ads
  • Advanced customization options
  • Various other features depending on the specific plan.

Hatena Blog Pro typically has a tiered pricing structure: * Pricing is variable, but commonly a range of a few hundred to a thousand yen per month, depending on the specific plan and any promotions.

Customer Care Details

Hatena s customer care is primarily geared towards its Japanese-speaking audience:

• Help Center/FAQ: Hatena offers comprehensive help documentation and FAQs on its website. However, a good portion of this documentation will be in Japanese.
• Contact Form: Users can typically submit inquiries via a contact form available on their website.
• Community Forums: There are some community forums where users can discuss issues or ask for help. However, these are predominantly in Japanese.
• Limited English Support: Generally, Hatena s customer support is very limited for English-speaking users. Expect responses, if any, to be in Japanese.

Key Takeaways Regarding Customer Care:

• Language Barrier: English-speaking users will likely face a language barrier when seeking customer support.
• Focus on Japanese Users: Hatena s support resources and teams are designed for the Japanese market.
• Documentation: Primarily in Japanese, although tools like Google Translate may help.

In Summary

Hatena is a well-established Japanese internet company offering a variety of services, with a strong community focus. Its revenue streams are diversified, relying on advertising, subscriptions, and B2B services. While there are alternatives to each of Hatena s offerings, it maintains a loyal user base in Japan due to its long history and tailored features. Customer support is primarily geared toward the Japanese-speaking market, which can be a challenge for non-Japanese users.

If you re looking to use Hatena, consider if the community and language barriers are manageable for your needs, as well as your specific requirements (e.g., if you want social bookmarking, blogging, etc.)