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Monday, May 12, 2008 -- 02:46:00 EST  |
Maximizing Your Advertising Dollar,
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I get so many questions about advertising I thought I would create an area on my site for people to reference. Hopefully my experiences might help you.
Without a doubt, advertising is key to getting the word out to the masses and by far web advertising is the most cost effective (expense vs satisfaction) of any type of media advertising available today. Here's why & how...
- When comparing apples to apples you get much more for much less than other types of media advertising. If you do your homework and compare you'll find..
- Web advertising is 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If you compare the costs of full color, 24 hour a day multiple page advertising it can be expensive in print, TV, or radio.
- Other media has a fixed audience. It might be local, regional, or even worldwide but even then only a fixed quantity views it. The web is wide open to everyone who has access. It's the fastest growing media type in the world today. It's informative, entertaining, economical and can be viewed at any time slot.
- Web advertising is complete and comprehensive. It tells more about you or your product than just a snapshot.
- Web advertising is full color and dynamic. It doesn't carry the limitations of other types of media.
- Web advertising is easy to change. If you've printed mass quantities of brochures and something changes, the brochures and the money to develop them could be throwaway.
- Web advertising can be interactive which gives you a direct link to the people you are trying to reach.
- Web advertising is the great equalizer. It can even the playing field for you when you go up against the big boys. It can make the small guys look big and can also make the big guys look small.
- If you're going to do it, do it right. Pick a professional, who knows the business, and do everything you can within your budget. Quick shot, template driven, grocery store web sites are like being in a hot fishing hole with only a stick, thread, and a paper clip. It just doesn't work. It's frustrating. I tried em. In the end you pay the same but don't get the bang for your buck.
- First impressions in advertising are everything. There's nothing worse than millions of people seeing your presentation for the first time and getting a bad feeling about it. Weak graphics, poor design, cumbersome navigation, or error ridden sites can kill return traffic. Once they're gone it's much harder to get them back. Remember, your advertising is a reflection of you or your product.
- Put your own time and effort into it. Don't expect anyone to be able to read your mind.
- Choose a qualified developer who is familiar with your business or product. Nothing worse than having someone tell you how to fish a carolina rig when they've never done it themselves.
- Build your advertising based on your target market. Start local, then regionally, then nationally. It's easy to go for the gold but very few find it overnight. Be sensible and pragmatic. That's the nice thing about web advertising. As you're building you're still seen by the world.
- Spread the word. Promote your site. Tell everyone about it. Ask them to visit. Include its address in all of your correspondence and advertising.
Who did I choose?
After all the trials and tribulations I chose Dan VanWinkle to design, develop, and host my web site. Dan made my success a personal task. He gave me the straight scoop. He didn't low ball the price up front with hopes of making more on the back end. His service is professional and responsive, even after all these years. If you want a place to start, try him. He's got an impressive portfolio of clients and they know the business. I'm happy to be with him.
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