GoMad with networking

DUBAI - For the techno-savvy who are constantly online and ‘addicted to tweets’, multiple accounts on social networking websites is not unusual. Gen Y keeps one account for friends and family and the others for professional contacts.

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Dhanusha Gokulan

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Published: Thu 2 Aug 2012, 8:25 AM

Last updated: Tue 12 Oct 2021, 8:26 AM

Soon there’s the hassle of having multiple browsers, separate profiles and tighter security settings to manage the 5,000-odd friends’ list.

Adding to the burgeoning list of upcoming social networking websites, GoMadinc.com promises to be a one-stop shop for both your professional and personal networking needs. Founder and CEO of GoMad Ideas Shabbir Adamji launched the ‘spunky’ new social/ professional networking web portal amidst tight competition and failing IPO of social networking giant Facebook in Dubai on August 1. Adamji and his team of 30 employees including nine webpage designers developed the website in their office in Jumeirah Beach Residence.

“The planning for the website began in February. Most of the designing and coding was done from March,” said Adamji. “Why not Dubai,” asked Adamji, “I love the city. It has close to 190 nationalities living together amicably,” he added. Understanding that social networking works best through word of mouth, Indian-born Adamji, who has been in the UAE for the last ten years, predicts that the website will do well.

“We have an achievable target of 10 million users in one year,” said Adamji. “It started with the need to do something about changing the way people use the Internet. We have a population of seven billion people of which two billion are active users. Yet people are not able to benefit from the Internet despite them spending a lot of time on social media,” he said.

“People haven’t been able to exploit the power of the Internet. Adding value to the time spent online and seeing a direct benefit has not happened,” added Adamji. What makes GoMad different? It’s a one of its kind multifunctional portal.

Primarily being a social media platform, GoMad incorporates standard functions of current social media applications.

Yes, you can chat, update your status and upload albums. Yet, contacts on your professional network will not know what you are telling your peers on the social platform. Set in a black background, which according to the website developers is soothing to the eyes, the portal lets you upload separate content for both your social and professional ‘avatars’. “People can have multiple avatars on the same account which makes things much easier. GoMad becomes a one stop for all your networking needs,” Adamji said.

The real scoop is the website’s unique financial model where members are recognised and rewarded for their activity as well as an e-commerce section, ideas sharing platform and a group philanthropy project.

Another feature is the MyStore function, which allows its members to buy and sell products and intellectual properties using their own networks.

On the philanthropy section, members can donate their credits to United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

“We want to use the Internet to bring in a big change. Our initial target market is any person who wants to try out new gadgets and new products. It is a space for creative persons,” he added.

“We have big expansion plans. Coming October or November, we plan on launching GoMad on mobile, release it in Arabic and two other languages,” said Adamji.

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

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