Online advertising has evolved into a huge business for Internet marketers. There are many formats for display advertising including banner ads, button ads, contextual advertising, and many more. In addition to these display ads, classified ads are also an attractive option. They are not only effective, but they are budget-friendly and typically are based on a ‘fixed’ cost. You don’t pay more for more clicks.
One of the very unique differences between classified advertising and other types of advertising is the fact that classifieds must be brief with limited or no space for graphics or other types of attention-grabbers. Words must say it all!
Classified ads are very different than sales pages, full-page ads, articles in Ezines, and other types of promotional efforts for your website. Of course, the beauty of a classified ad is that when it is well-written and succinct, engaging and compelling, and interesting and informative, it can drive your reader to a much longer ‘advertisement’ through your valuable website content. Classified ads that include just enough intrigue and unique information to encourage people to click on your URL are extremely successful.
The body of your classified ad must be to the point and clear. Your headline grabs attention and pulls your reader into the body content so be sure you don’t lose them at this juncture. Keep your content fresh and unique by using relevant and powerful words to continue engaging your reader.
Consider some of these options to make your content easy to read, concise, and encouraging to your reader:
Use lists to quickly convey thoughts and ideas without having to use complete sentences
Use numbered items or bulleted points to make benefits pop out at your reader
Use bold, italic, or highlights with discretion – drawing attention to the most powerful aspects of your ad and without over-using them so they lose their allure
Test different fonts and styles to find the one that works best – make sure your font is easy to read. Some fonts such as script can be harder on the eyes.
Don’t use all caps in your content unless there is a really good reason. All caps are harder to read and can be considered “yelling” in the world of online content.
Use graphics or pictures if allowed – but use them sparingly, make certain they are relevant, and don’t allow them to overpower your valuable message conveyed through content.
Make sure you include hyperlinks and URL (as acceptable by the advertising source) so people can find you quickly and easily.
Classified ads that are engaging and appealing to your target audience will bring in a flow of traffic to your website. Ensure that you are prepared for the influx of traffic that may result from a well-written classified ad that drives immediate traffic to your website.
Continually evaluate your ad content and effectiveness and make appropriate changes as needed to keep it fresh, unique, and engaging. Listen to what your potential customers have to say – and what they don’t say! If you’re not getting traffic from your classified ad, they’re telling you something about your ad.
You already know that you can’t increase your website traffic if you don’t leverage SEO and advertising opportunities to make your website more visible to online users. There are lots of ways to promote your website – many of them are free and many come at a cost. Regardless of whether you’re considering free or paid advertising options, classified advertising should be on your list.
Classified advertising has proven to be effective and it does sell products and services. It also keeps your website name in front of hundreds of online users and promotes brand awareness. One of the nice things about classified advertising is that it is affordable for any online entrepreneur.
As a business-person, your goal is to leverage your resources to optimize your business. This means leveraging your financial resources effectively and ensuring that you get the most for your dollar. That’s where classified advertising offers many different options.
When considering promotion of your business, evaluate the options for classified advertising that will help you reach a massive audience without blowing your budget:
Comparison shop to find out the costs for various ads in relevant Ezines, newsletters, and classified directory listings. Take a look at different sizes of ads and find the ones that fit within your budget. Small ads placed in the right spot can have a powerful impact on your website traffic.
When searching for the best places for classified ads, consider options such as side bar buttons on web pages or having your website listed in a directory. There are varying costs for the options and your budget can impact which format you choose to deploy.
Before you engage a designer or online marketing firm to design your ads, take a look at existing classifieds that are relevant to your business. See how they are written and prepared. You can create your own classified ads without engaging expensive writers and marketers. Before you spend money on design, visit some of the classified advertising sites and see what they have to offer – you may find they have exactly what you need to create compelling ads. Your budget won’t be blown!
Consider the most popular sites for classified ads and then take a look at some that may be less popular, but more focused and refined to your niche product. Although some resources may have a smaller distribution, they may be more focused on your target audience. This can also save you money while increasing your chances of getting visitors and sales.
Take a look at some of the places where you can include free classifieds. Although ‘free’ may mean more people are advertising on these sites and competition is higher, it is worth getting your name out there in multiple ways.
Working within your budget is essential to your business and it can be done when you do your homework and research. The tips above will help you manage your budget dollars while locating classified advertising opportunities that will enhance the awareness of your website and increase your sales.
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