| Online Classified Advertising is prolific throughout | | | | are. Obviously you would not list a business |
| the internet. It isn't very hard to set up a | | | | opportunity in a car classified site. Also consider |
| classified site but are they worth using? | | | | where geographically the classified site is targeting. |
| Like standard paper advertising it is about finding | | | | If you have a product or service that is only |
| the right classified site to advertise with. All site | | | | applicable in the USA don't place a classified in |
| proclaim to have the most comprehensive | | | | Australia. Whilst this seems obvious you would be |
| readership but there are few questions you | | | | surprised at how many would not consider this. |
| should ask before you waste any of your | | | | 4. Individual counters on classifieds are very |
| precious time. | | | | useful. What these count is how many times your |
| 1. Is the site free? If it is free are there options | | | | ad has actually been opened on the classified site. |
| to promote your classified for a fee? | | | | If your classified is not being opened very often |
| 2. How many classifieds are currently listed in | | | | you should consider your headline. It is the |
| your desired category? | | | | headline that will encourage people to look at your |
| 3. Where are the classified targeting? | | | | classified in the 1st instance. If you are getting |
| 4. Do the classifieds have individual counters? | | | | lookers but no sales 1st look at your classified |
| 5. Do you have to put banners on your site or | | | | content then at the statistics of your website if |
| other reciprocal links to have your classified listed? | | | | you can. Your website statistics will tell you who |
| 6. Will my classified be listed in the search engines | | | | has actually gone into your site from the classified. |
| or other reciprocal classified sites? | | | | Very useful. |
| Lets look at each question one at a time. | | | | 5. If you find to get your classified displayed you |
| 1. Free sites can be very good but it does depend | | | | need to add reciprocal code or banners you are |
| on the readership and the promotion of the sites. | | | | not really in a classified site but a traffic or banner |
| Consider how you came across the site and what | | | | exchange. That is ok if you don't mind using this |
| the ads are that are listed therein. If you think | | | | type of service but if it is a pure classified site |
| that the site may be worthwhile put your | | | | you are after skip this type of site. A discussion |
| classified in and see how it goes. Some of the | | | | on traffic and banner exchanges is beyond the |
| free sites allow for you to pay to have your | | | | scope of this document. |
| listing promoted at the top of the category. | | | | 6. Classified sites that either work on a reciprocal |
| Depending on your finances and how many others | | | | classified site, have the classifieds indexed into the |
| are listed in your category it can be worthwhile. | | | | search engines or both are well worth listing with. |
| Also check how long a paid listing lasts compared | | | | If they are free as many are this is all the better. |
| to a free listing. Even so, it would be | | | | There is great value in this type of listing as you |
| recommended you wait until you monitor the site | | | | enhance the opportunity for sales. If the site does |
| further with your free classified. | | | | list with search engines and reciprocal classified |
| 2. You really need to look at how many listings | | | | sites make sure you understand any fees that |
| there are under the category you wish to put | | | | are involved. Whilst we have found very few |
| your classified in. The reason being your | | | | require a fee many may do. |
| competition may be really hefty. If you can put | | | | Summing up we recommend you consider |
| your classified in a less obvious category if you | | | | classified advertising for your online marketing. It |
| find the obvious one has a huge amount of | | | | is a smart and inexpensive way to build your |
| listings. For example if you have a classified on | | | | business. We do not however advocate that this |
| business opportunities, try placing your ad in | | | | be your only way of advertising should you really |
| advertising or marketing. It may seem a bit broad | | | | want to increase your online business income. |
| but you may also find a better response. | | | | There are numerous options out there that will |
| 3. Some classified sites are very specific and | | | | cost very little in time and money to implement |
| others are very broad. Consider the site you are | | | | and maintain. |
| looking at and what the type of classified listings | | | | |