If you think online classified advertising is a passing fad, you may want to re-evaluate that thinking. More and more websites are being created to promote websites and businesses through classified ads. They know that as people turn to the Internet for information, they also turn to the Internet to purchase more products than ever before.
With the many millions of people accessing the Internet every minute of the day and night, it’s fertile ground for classified advertisements around the globe!
Your local newspaper was once the King of classified advertising, with everything from houses to pets. But today, it’s easy, fast, and often free to post classified ads on the Internet and reach a much broader audience than you ever thought possible. Rather than having to post classifieds in multiple newspapers to reach disperse geographic regions, you can now simply advertise across the globe with a simple online advertisement.
Ad syndication
There are even online directories where ads can be posted and the service syndicates your posting. The system distributes the classifieds to major online directories such as eBay, Google, kijiji, and many more sites. This increases your exposure to millions of people immediately. Many of these sites offer free services to create online flyers, ad content and headlines, widgets, and other bells and whistles.
With services that are able to promote your ads to the major search engines, you may find your ad prominently displayed at the top of results pages. Some of these innovative sites have even created programs which will enable you to upload your contacts and email your flyers and classified ads to the entire contact list.
Rules for credibility and integrity
Adhering to the rules and regulations of online classified advertising is essential. Some of the important rules to remember include:
Unlawful, threatening, abusive, deceptive, obscene, and similar types of ads are strictly prohibited on all reputable classified ad placement sites.
Any ad that infringes on patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other legal rights of an entity or individual are prohibited.
“Pyramid schemes” are unlawful and prohibited for advertising.
“Black hat SEO”, “spam indexing”, and “keyword stuffing” are prohibited.
There are many more site specific rules and regulations that are intended to protect the advertisers and potential customers. Adhering to the standards of conduct and rules of privacy are strictly enforced. This gives consumers confidence in the sites and adds credibility to the advertising medium.
Using classified advertising as a way to reach your potential customers is safe and effective. It is also free or low-cost depending on the format and resources you choose to use. It is one of the most cost-effective methods of advertising available online today and it gives both small and large Internet businesses an opportunity to reach a massive target audience with their products.
Before you decide that advertising is too expensive or time-consuming, consider online classified advertising for your online business. You will be pleasantly surprised at the options and opportunities you have to greatly expand your business and promote your brand image.
While online advertising can be intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. There are an incredible array of online advertising opportunities that are cost-effective, easily accessible, and professional. They don’t cost an arm and a leg, yet your business will flourish when you tap into some of them.
Classified advertising is one way to promote your website and expand your business – even if you’re on a tight budget. There are many different options including classified directories, Ezines, newsletters, and websites that offer opportunities for classified ads. Some are free and some come with a cost, but they are all opportunities to enhance your online business through increased exposure to your target audience.
Target audience
And speaking of your target audience, that is your number one concern when it comes to determining where you want to advertise online. Just like any other business, it’s important to find the target audience – or better yet, help them find you!
Think about it. You wouldn’t go into an auto parts store if you were searching for a new pair of shoes! That means that people who enter the auto parts store are searching for – you guessed it – auto parts! When you promote your website on relevant websites where people are already searching for what you have to say and sell, you’re more likely to end up with a good prospect who can be converted to a loyal customer.
Tips for targeting
With that in mind, it is critical to remember to target the best possible prospects for your business. This is one of the most important things you can do to not only increase traffic, but it’s the best possible way to increase conversions too. People visit websites and read Ezines and newsletters for a reason. They are looking for something particular and they are a ‘captive audience’ for what you have offer.
Essential steps in focusing on your target audience include:
Before placing a classified ad on a particular website, newsletter, or Ezine, evaluate the audience and the subject matter. Ensure that the site or publication promotes similar content and is relevant to what you have to sell. Visit several sites and review archived issues of Ezines or newsletters before you decide to move forward with advertising.
Evaluate the other types of ads included on sites or in publications you are considering. Are they relevant to your products? Relevancy makes it much easier to attract new traffic.
Who is looking for your products? That can determine where you advertise since different websites attract visitors based on age, gender, lifestyle, and other factors. Try to find out information about the demographics of people who utilize particular classified directories, websites, newsletters, or Ezines. Make decisions based on this information.
Make sure you use the best possible category and sub-categories. You want to find your target audience so understand how they search for what you have to offer. Evaluate keywords they might use to search classified directories and optimize those words. Determine the best categories that are relevant to your website and products to attract the highest potential buyers.
To make the most of your classified advertising opportunity, do your homework first. Locate formats and resources that enable you to effectively leverage your classified ads and focus on your target audience. This will help to ensure you attract people who are ready to buy what you have to sell.
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