Having seen impressive user growth over the past year or so, it was inevitable that natural language comparison engine Versus would look to mobile, which already accounts for a third of its traffic – and the Berlin-based startup has done just that with the launch of a dedicated mobile site.
The new site will allow Versus users to make one of 38 million comparisons of gadgets, apps and cities from any smartphone. It comes three months after Earlybird led a $2.8m (€2.18m) Series A round which also included 500 Startups founder Dave McClure and angel investors Lars Dittrich and Dario Suter.
Following its launch in July 2011, Versus now boasts 3 million unique users a month, with monthly growth of 35 percent. It’s available in 18 languages, including Chinese, and uses a sophisticated natural language algorithm and user interface to make comparisons easier – say, for example, the Galaxy S4 versus the iPhone 5.
One of the crucial reasons for its success so far is the way it presents results, which according to the company “appeals to people’s logic psyche”.
Ramin G. Far, CEO and founder of Versus, said it was now crucial to have a mobile presence: “30 percent of the traffic we’re seeing each month is coming from mobile so creating a slick, fast and intuitive mobile website was critical. When we say fast, we really mean fast.”
The new website has fully built in Node.js like the mobile platforms of Airbnb and LinkedIn.
Far added: “Versus is all about blocking out the noise and offering clear and concise information needed before making a purchase. Being able to access this type of information on your smartphone quickly takes that one step further.”
He also stated that native apps were in development with a planned launch later this year.