Angie’s List Inc (NASDAQ:ANGI) recorded a relative good fiscal quarter, however the firm’s revenue has been declining for some time. The firm also lost funds on a net basis in the last three years, and is presently transforming its business model. Considering the weakening of the balance sheet, and that the firm will not be releasing earnings guidance, caution is required going forward.
The buzz
Angie is presently in the middle of a modernization, or a transformation. The firm is partially transforming its business model. Last summer it introduced a new freemium service and separated the review paywall. The objective is to get increased site traffic and monetize free users in the coming period. As per the firm, the transformation of Angie will happen in 3 waves.
The initial trend has to do with increasing engagement and members. For 2016, the firm added as many as 2.9 million gross members, closing the calendar year with total 5.1 million members. For 4Q2016 on a YoY basis, exclusive new member visits grew 120%, while unique new members looking for Angie’s platform jumped 113%. Unique new members seeing profiles improved 98%. The firm added 1,200 service providers in calendar year 2016 compared to 162 in the same period, a year earlier.
The second wave will focus on converting the firm’s increasing member base into sales initiations. Last but not the least, the third wave will focus on growing service provider renewal rates. The firm projections that this will establish before the close of the year, though it does not anticipate much recognized revenue before 2018. While Angie is not exactly a turnaround situation bet, it is in the course of getting an altering business plan. The firm’s 4Q2016 report was not that impressive. While the firm made profits, revenue continues to drop. Revenue stood at $76.7 million, a drop of $9.6 million YoY.
