But, I’m glad to say that I feel that India “is happening” when it comes to online services. This is from the perspective of an avid consumer who enjoys trying out new technologies/services that improves efficiencies. Let’s face it – if I were to step out of the door and get those tasks listed above completed by making physical stops, it would take me more than a week. For a specific example, I went to a reputed bus operator to book a long-distance bus ticket and it literally took me 2 hours door to door (20 minutes in front of the guy who was more keen on answering phone calls than completing my transaction). The same thing I was able to do in less than 5 minutes online (in spite of the payment gateway dropping my transaction the first time – payment gateways need to fix this issue, seriously).

Just for the fun of it, I wanted to list out various online services I used in the US and equivalent ones in India. The table below captures my first draft list. I have used most of the Indian services listed and have been satisfied with the quality. The only sites I haven’t used but have received feedback from others who have are the dating/matrimony sites – for some reason my wife does not approve of me spending time on these sites even if I tell her its for work J

OnlineCategories

 *Full Disclosure: These are portfolio companies of Accel Partners 

As I mentioned, this is just my first draft list and I’m sure I missed many. What are your favorite categories/sub-categories/sites that I missed?

Note: Pluggd.in published this blog here.