Skinnyr Updates Weight Monitoring Application and Adds Freemium Model

Skinnyr is a web application that provides a way to track your weight online. We reviewed the service when it initially launched in June of 2007. The easiest way to describe Skinnyr is to say it’s an online scale that you can share. Founder James Thomas says they are adding between 20 and 50 new users each day.

Thomas sent over a note that has has re-launched the app with a variety of new features. The biggest change is a complete rework of the graph page. In the previous version there was one graph, both for viewing on Skinnyr and for embedding. In the new version (example below), there’s a separate graph for use on the Skinnyr site and a graph for embedding.

The other major product update is the installation of a "freemium" revenue model. This means that some features are available for free and some are paid. Here’s a list of what you receive if you pay the $10/year for the premium subscription:

• SMS/Text messaging
• Full API (some functions are premium only)
• Monthly average graph
• Goal weight
• Trend line
• No ads

I almost think Skinnyr needs more ads to use "no ads" as a selling point. One ad on the top (see below) isn’t enough to push me to want to remove the ads for $10.

What’s interesting is that Thomas also lists what’s coming soon for premium subscribers. Not sure I’ve seen this before but the list includes: BMI graph, Multiple Goal Weights, Advanced embedding options (colors, sizes, etc.). Not sure I get the "multiple goal weights" – it’s not like I can add back a block of fat for the weekend :)

Skinnyr is an interesting service as it’s clearly not as robust as other online fitness sites but it does one thing very well. I could see a company like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig either acquiring or white-labeling the Skinnyr service for their members. If Thomas isn’t thinking about white-labeling and partnerships, he should be. Most likely that would be an "easier" way to revenue.