IND:IA

2

Google

For the second year in a row, Google takes the top spot on the India Simplicity Index. Respondents highlighted the search engine’s simple interface and the straightforward way it enables them to find what they need to find. As one respondent points out, Google has to be simple because it “needs to cater to people of all backgrounds.”

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3

Facebook

“It is easy to connect to people,” a typical respondent says of the social networking giant. And that’s a good sign, considering “make the world more open and connected” is part of Facebook’s official mission statement. Respondents note that the site is accessible, user friendly, and—importantly—it’s also fun. Facebook has recently waded into controversy over some of its privacy settings, but that doesn’t seem to have dampened enthusiasm for this brand in India.

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4

Dell

Good value and user-friendliness are the basis of the computer manufacturer’s high ranking this year, moving up from #9 last year. Several respondents also cited the brand’s high quality products, which naturally lead to fewer needed repairs. But when there is trouble, “support is accessible,” remarks one respondent.

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5

Yahoo!

Yahoo! is more than just a search engine, and the comments from respondents in India reflect that. Many highlight the site’s local news offerings and email and messaging services, putting easy access to these services at users’ fingertips. Yahoo! is simple not just because it’s useful, but because it’s also easy to use.

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6

The Times of India

India’s largest media house offers print, online and mobile app versions, that consumers praise. The brand also receives high marks for its commitment to plain language, no spin, and wide coverage. “Honest and to the point,” says one survey respondent.

7

Microsoft

Software giant Microsoft is seen as “indispensible to the computer world!” according to one respondent. Many others add that they are regular—if not daily—user and that the Windows interface enable a simple, intuitive user experience.

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8

Philips

Philips moves up an impressive 17 spots to make it into the India Simplicity Index Top 10 this year. The electronics company earns praise for its reliable and sturdy products, and the dependability of its offerings makes it a no-brainer when it comes to choice, according to respondents. “They make life easy,” remarks one.

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9

Nokia

Innovative and updated, Nokia gets high marks in the India Simplicity Index for being user-friendly and reliable. Since the company’s mobile phone business was bought by Microsoft, the electronics maker has fallen on some harder times, but is currently staging a comeback by seeking partners for a return to smartphones.

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10

Sony

Here’s a true endorsement of Sony’s simplicity: “Its technology is so that even my two-year-old nephew can use it,” writes one survey respondent. But simple doesn’t mean simplistic. The Japanese electronics company is also perceived as innovative and best in class, making it clear to see why it’s been in the Top 10 for four years running.

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11

YouTube

Making an impressive leap from #39 last year is video streaming service YouTube. Similar to Google, YouTube is simple because consumers find it easy to get what they want with no fuss or frills. Several respondents also highlighted the ease of learning through YouTube, which provides educational videos from a variety of sources at their fingertips.

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12

LG

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13

HP

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14

Bata

15

State Bank of India

16

airtel

17

eBay

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18

Adidas

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19

Snapdeal.com

20

Maruti Suzuki

21

Canon

Respondents say Canon is “the ultimate experience” in cameras. Known for its “best-in-class,” user-friendly equipment, the brand is planning to more than double its retail store presence in India by the end of 2015. The move is critical to customer accessibility as Canon brings online sales to an end to prevent unauthorized transactions.

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22

Godrej

23

Big Bazaar

24

Lee

25

Domino’s

26

Apple

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27

Nike

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28

McDonald’s

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29

Samsung

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30

Virgin Mobile

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31

Skype

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32

MakeMyTrip

33

Reebok

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34

Yatra

35

Tata Sky

36

Reliance Fresh

37

Shoppers Stop

38

Bank of India

39

TVS Motors

40

Lifestyle

41

Hero (Honda)

42

Levi’s

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43

Pizza Hut

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44

Vodafone

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45

Himalaya Healthcare

46

Volkswagen

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47

Groupon

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48

Westside

49

Café Coffee Day

50

The Hindu

51

Panasonic

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52

Taj

53

Marriott

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54

HDFC Bank

55

Onida

56

Travelguru

57

Pantaloons

58

Megamart

59

LIC

60

LinkedIn

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61

Spencers

62

ITC

63

Lakme

64

ICICI Bank

65

Tata DoCoMo

66

Cleartrip

67

Holiday Inn

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68

Godrej Nature’s Basket

69

Standard Chartered

70

Reliance Mobile

71

Peter England

72

Bajaj Auto

73

Haldiram

74

Barista

75

Videocon

76

Jet Airways

77

Toyota

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78

Tata Indicom

79

Tata Motors

80

BSNL

81

Ford

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82

Haier

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83

DNA

84

Air India

85

Oberoi

86

FedEx

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87

BlackBerry

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88

DHL

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89

Croma

90

MINT

91

Ixigo

92

Hyatt

93

Avis

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94

The Leela

95

Travelocity

96

UPS

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97

ICICI Prudential

98

Viveks

99

Birla Sun Life

100

Hertz

Hertz finds itself in the Bottom 10 of the India Simplicity Index for the 5th year in a row. Though the rental car company started in India exclusively as a chauffeur service, they’ve expanded over the last ten years to include traditional rental cars—but consumers find it difficult to grasp its pricing and fees, and are wary of hidden clauses.

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101

T24 Mobile

Poor reception and hidden charges are at the root of this cellular service provider’s low ranking. The young company formed only 5 years ago as a joint venture between telecom company Tata Teleservices Limited and private retail conglomerate Future Group appears to struggle with brand awareness, with many respondents indicating they don’t know enough about their services.

102

HSBC

The financial services industry frequently struggles with simplicity, and HSBC is no exception in India. Consumers cite the need to follow up multiple times for answers to their questions, and the bank’s confusing policies as reasons for rating it complex. One respondent describes HSBC as “technical, with a lot of terms and conditions.”

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103

Bajaj Allianz

Insurance is another industry often perceived as complex, and Bajaj Allianz is painted with that same brush. Respondents lodge complaints about the fine print. Others shared personal horror stories: “They promised certain things but now they say that is not applicable to my policy. I suffered monetary loss.”

104

Oriental Insurance

For Oriental Insurance, consumers highlighted difficulty contacting customer service and the confusing and tedious brochures. “All things to do with insurance are incomprehensible,” said one frustrated respondent.

105

Max Bupa

Survey respondents note that this insurance company is complex for its hard-to-navigate website and its lack of clear communication to customers. “Generally need help with understanding the terminology used by insurance companies,” remarks one respondent, adding that they “tend to use jargon not known to [the] common man.”

106

TravelChaCha

This travel booking and accommodation site has been the subject of complaints in the past for failing to deliver paid-for tickets as well as its spotty website. And with other travel booking sites sometimes described by respondents as “interchangeable,” TravelChaCha has an opportunity to simplify its offerings and shore up its services to distinguish itself from competitors.

107

IFFCO Tokio General Insurance

Respondents complain about a lack of transparency with IFFCO Tokio General Insurance. Many others struggled with the company’s complicated language and confusing terms and conditions. “Insurance companies always have an asterisk on their conditions,” notes one consumer.

108

Peugeot

Peugeot dropped 10 spots in the India Simplicity Index this year. The European car company was dinged for “poor after sale service.” Consumers also complained of a dearth of service stations for the brand, noting that the stations that few that are available are also expensive. .

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109

Tata AIG

Insurance companies Tata AIG, IFFCO and Max Bupa have been playing musical chairs for India’s bottom spot in recent years, and this is reflected in a typical grievance and industry perception: “All insurance companies are the same.” Consumers cite the usual reasons for rating Tata the most complex brand in the region this year: confusing terms, hidden charges and poor communication.