Websites using Internet Brands

Okay, let s break down Internet Brands, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing (where applicable), and customer care.

Internet Brands Overview

• What it is: Internet Brands is a diversified internet media company that owns and operates a large portfolio of websites across various categories, including health, automotive, home & travel, and business solutions. They are known for acquiring established online communities, content sites, and lead generation businesses and then optimizing them for monetization.
• Business Model: Their primary business model revolves around advertising, lead generation, subscription services, and transaction-based revenue. They focus on creating and acquiring valuable online content and communities, attracting targeted audiences, and then connecting those audiences with businesses that want to reach them.
• Key Characteristics:
  • Portfolio Approach: They own a vast and diverse collection of websites, not relying on a single flagship property.
  • Acquisition-Driven: Growth is heavily reliant on acquiring existing businesses rather than building everything from the ground up.
  • SEO Focus: Strong emphasis on search engine optimization (SEO) to drive organic traffic to their websites.
  • Monetization Expertise: Proficient at monetizing online traffic through various methods.
• Target Audience: Internet Brands doesn t have one specific target audience; it varies widely depending on the specific website within their portfolio. They target anyone looking for information, products, or services within the categories they cover.

Revenue

• Private Company: Internet Brands is a privately held company (owned by KKR), so they don t publicly disclose their exact revenue figures.
• Estimated Revenue: Estimates place their annual revenue in the billions of dollars (USD). This is based on their extensive portfolio of websites and their proven track record of monetization. Recent estimates suggest revenue between $1 billion to $3 billion annually.
• Revenue Streams:
  • Advertising: Display ads, sponsored content, native advertising across their websites.
  • Lead Generation: Connecting potential customers with businesses in various industries (e.g., matching homeowners with contractors, connecting patients with doctors).
  • Subscription Services: Offering premium content, tools, or services on a subscription basis. This is more common within their professional and business-focused properties.
  • Transaction Fees/Commissions: Earning a percentage of sales or fees generated through their platforms (e.g., in travel booking or online marketplaces).
  • Software and SaaS: Some of their brands offer Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions to businesses in specific verticals.

Alternatives

It s difficult to find a single alternative to Internet Brands because of its diversified nature. Instead, here are alternatives based on specific aspects of their business:

• For owning and operating a large portfolio of websites:
  • IAC (InterActiveCorp): Owns brands like Dotdash Meredith, Angi, and Care.com.
  • Digital Turbine: Focuses on app discovery and monetization.
• For online lead generation:
  • Angi (formerly Angie s List): Focuses on home services lead generation.
  • QuinStreet: Specializes in financial services and other verticals.
  • Nextdoor: While primarily a social network, it also offers local business advertising and lead generation.
• For online communities:
  • VerticalScope: Owns and operates a network of online forums and communities.
  • Reddit: A massive platform for online communities.
• For health-related websites:
  • WebMD: A leading source of health information.
  • Mayo Clinic: A reputable source of medical information.
  • Healthline Media: Provides health and wellness information.
• For Automotive websites:
  • Cox Automotive: Which includes Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, and Manheim.
  • Cars.com: An online marketplace for buying and selling cars.

Pricing

• Varies Widely: Pricing models vary significantly across Internet Brands portfolio. It depends on the specific service or product being offered.
• Advertising: CPM (cost per thousand impressions), CPC (cost per click), or flat-rate sponsorships.
• Lead Generation: Cost per lead (CPL), cost per acquisition (CPA), or subscription-based access to leads.
• Subscription Services: Recurring monthly or annual fees.
• Software/SaaS: Tiered pricing based on features, usage, or number of users.
• Consumers: Many of their websites offer free information to consumers. They make money through advertising shown to those consumers or by connecting them to service providers, for which the service providers pay a fee.

Customer Care Details

• Decentralized: Customer care is typically handled by the individual websites within the Internet Brands portfolio. There isn t a single, centralized customer support department for the entire company.
• Contact Methods:
  • Website-Specific Contact Forms: The primary method for contacting customer support is usually through the contact forms or help sections on the individual websites.
  • Email: Some websites may provide direct email addresses for customer support.
  • Phone (Less Common): Phone support is less common, especially for content-based websites. It s more likely to be available for subscription services or software products.
  • Forums/Community Support: Many of their websites have active forums where users can ask questions and receive assistance from other users or moderators.
• Reputation: Because of the decentralized nature, the customer care reputation varies from website to website. Some may have excellent support, while others may be more difficult to get in touch with. It s essential to research the specific website you re dealing with.
• Complaints: Because of the size and diversity of Internet Brands, there are inevitably customer complaints. These often relate to:
  • Subscription issues: Difficulty canceling subscriptions or unexpected charges.
  • Lead quality: Businesses complaining about the quality of leads generated through Internet Brands platforms.
  • Content accuracy: Concerns about the accuracy or reliability of information on some websites.
  • Advertising: Complaints about misleading or intrusive advertising.

How to Find Customer Support:

1. Identify the specific website: Know exactly which Internet Brands website you are dealing with (e.g., a specific health forum, an automotive site, etc.).
2. Locate the Contact Us or Help section: These are usually found in the footer or navigation menu of the website.
3. Submit a request: Fill out the contact form with your question or issue.
4. Search the Help Center/FAQ: Many websites have a knowledge base or FAQ section that may answer your question immediately.

In summary, Internet Brands is a large and complex company with a diverse portfolio of websites. Their strength lies in acquiring and monetizing online properties. Customer care is decentralized, so you ll need to contact the specific website for assistance.