Yellow pages advertising vs web site

Billand

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Hi all

I am looking into advertising in my local yellow pages print and on line for 80 a month for a year also includes a foundation page that linked to your web site.

Does anyone have experience with yellow page type advertising. If so is it worth the money
 
I've never had a yellow pages ad but even if I had, and it was worth it or not, it might be dependent on area, type of ad, wording, local economy, local demographic (internet savvy vs. non internet users, usually older folks). The point is there are too many variables to know for sure without trying it out in your area.

This is why a lot of companies ask you where you heard of them when you sign up, register on their forums/site, create an account, etc. You might try asking your customers to get an idea where they heard of you. Internet search, forums, word of mouth, flyers, ads, etc.
 
20 years ago, when I first retired from my professional career in the "corporate world", and opened my own business, Yellow Pages advertising was the way to go. All of the similar business professionals were competing with bigger and bigger ads. The biggest players sometimes had a half or full page ad. They were expensive, but I do believe they helped because that was virtually the only way that someone could find you if they had the need.

Today, I can't remember the last time I went to the yellow pages to look for a company...I just do a search online. If you haven't already done so, my suggestion is to design yourself (or have it designed for you) a website that covers everything about whatever it is that you do. Design a catchy home page with logos and other relevant information, include description of your services, photos (if appropriate), and contact info, including phone numbers, hours, etc. It wouldn't hurt to have testimonials by your customers of your work. If you are mobile, make sure that's clear, if you have a permanent location, consider a map or directions from strategic points in the surrounding area.

If it seems to still be the trend in your area, you can always go with some reasonable yellow pages ad. Make sure to include some of what I mentioned above. You could also look into radio ads. There's quite a lot of flexibility here.

In the end, word of mouth is your best advertising. If you have a customer who leaves pleased with the service, he may tell a few of his friends and relatives. If you have a customer who leaves and he's unhappy, no matter what the reason or who's fault it was, he'll tell everyone he knows!!!
 
I don't know if anyone even gets the yellow pages anymore. I would not spend $960 on the yellow pages. That will cover your web hosting costs for the next 8 years.
 
In most cases yellow pages are NOT a good investment. When is the last time you used the yellow pages.
 
Most Of My wife's business 90% came from the yellow pages. I didn't make it time. By the time a search engine will rank you may take some time. You will be brought up in a search of your business but it will take you time to reach the top 10 for your business unless it's really a business or trade with few competitors.

I'm going with the YP next year. In the meantime, I will be leaving business cards at the local shops. I did get two inquiries using this method.


Good luck with your decision.
 
That seems excessively high for a yellow pages ad. Unless you are talking about being on the cover or something. Whenever I get a YP book delivered it goes directly into the recycling bin... doesn't even make it inside the house.

I would focus more on online advertising as some others have mentioned. Website, adwords, YP online is free, yelp, angies list, facebook, local coupon magazines. Go where your customers go. I'm fairly certain basically nobody uses yellow pages anymore. Just because it gets delivered to millions of people doesn't mean they ever look at it.

Sent from my LG-VM701 using AG Online
 
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