Business owners always ask me, what is the best way for me to advertise my business on internet? Here is my advice to current and future businesses interested in increasing their online visibility and “Ad Value”.

First of all, what do I mean by “Ad Value”? It refers to the effectiveness of your overall advertising campaign online. For example, Business A and Business B are both paying the same amount of money for the same service provided by an online yellow page provider like CityWaboo.com. Business A follows the steps outlined below and increases his “ad value”, Business B has not even looked at his listing since his initial sign-up. Business A has a higher ’Ad Value’ and hence a higher customer response from CityWaboo.com then Business B.

Follow these steps to make sure you have an effective online campaign.

1: Make sure all of your contact information is correct. If your customers can’t reach you, you can’t sell to them. You can do a business directory search to find your business and check information.

2: If you are offering a discount or a promotion, it needs to be clear and explain what the customer has to do to redeem it. If they need to print out the page and bring it in, make sure you specify that.

3: Do you have all of your pictures loaded and updated?

4: The special comments section should have all of the important information you would like customers to know. It should include a hook, something that sets your business apart from everyone else in the directory.

5: Web sites are an everyday part of operating a business. A comprehensive business profile is the next best thing if you don’t have a website.

6: Tracking is an important element of a successful ad campaign. Each business needs to know where their customers are coming from: Referrals, Friends, Repeat Customers or Advertising (New Customers). You will be surprised if you track your customers for one month. It will give you a valuable insight into your operation and at the same time dissolve some of the myth that “…I don’t need advertising…”

7: Know your sales or marketing representative. Keep in contact with them periodically. They will evaluate your advertising campaign and make recommendations on how to better it. Our marketing advisors make sure they contact all our advertisers every 60 days.

If you take the steps above, you should be able to increase your “ad value” and effectively reach new customers. As always if you have any questions or concerns please contact us.