Hello there

Sometimes I see on major hosting directories 18 ads in the showcase - so ok, I'm sure that their financial situation is excellent - but is the amount of click throughs satisfying for the hosting companies?

I mean, let's say you spend $150 on a campaign in a hosting dir where the traffic is extremely targeted - how many click through would you like to receive in return?

(I'm talking only about showcases)

Isnt that a bit like saying you wont advertise in the yellow pages because there are lots of other companies in there?

Would'nt it suggest that those sites with lots of advertisers per spotlight category must be doing something right to draw in that volume of clients in the first place?

Yes, I agree James - I was just wondering...

The question regarding the amount of click still remains, I know that the amount of sign ups, but in general what amount of clicks would a host expect for $150..

Actually, I had a brick and morter business years ago that had a high amount of display ads in my category. I became so frustrated with the glut of ads and pressure each year to go bigger and better than everyone else that I discontinued my Y-P block ad and spent the money on other marketing.

My Y-P sales rep couldn't believe it when I told him what I was doing. Fact of the matter was that the money was better spent on marketing in other areas.

I think the hosting directories will face the same thing. There are so many blinking banners on one page anymore that I'm afraid the consumer just clicks right past. I'd guess a large portion of the click throughs are hosting companies just checking each other out :)

JMHO

Dean

Sorry I've got to disagree. People visit directories to find hosts, they actually expect to find advertising. Good advertising communicates product benefits more quickly than simple text listings. (The expression a picture paints a thousand words was well founded.)

Saying that directories are over crowded with ads is a little like saying I don't like using google because they represent too much of the internet!

it doesn't seem like a good comparison to compare Google results to a flashing ads on a webhosting directory. I can't see any comparison, but perhaps I miss-understand the comment.

There is only a certain amount of real estate on the screen to display flashing banner ads, and although consumers do expect it - I can't imagine there are many consumers that like it.

For sure advertising has immense value to both sides of the buyer - seller equation - but when recommendations are paid for - the whole practice becomes questionable in my opinion.

I think this goes back to the age old marketing saying. Many people have used this theory on WHT before. Marketing is to get sales, but more importantly, its to make people aware of your name and services. Now, a showcase may get you 100 Clicks/month or more, but alot more people will realize that you are out there. Now, a person with 3 months left on a contract with another company might find your ad, then 3 months later go back and check out your site.

Its always a good idea to get on directories and sponsorships, so that people will start to acctually know your company. Also, you will see that alot of people will suggest companies after they see advertising on directories. You may not see the results right away, but it should balance out.

Hey, Anything is worth a try.


Jim

Originally posted by NovaW
it doesn't seem like a good comparison to compare Google results to a flashing ads on a webhosting directory. I can't see any comparison, but perhaps I miss-understand the comment.


As I said earlier "a picture paints a thousand words". Its often easier to convey information via an image than it is via text. Its what makes the phone book different to the yellow pages. One is a simple text listing, the other conveys advertisers sale messages.

Both are provide useful resources depending on what your intentions are.

Originally posted by Lonny
Hello there

Sometimes I see on major hosting directories 18 ads in the showcase - so ok, I'm sure that their financial situation is excellent - but is the amount of click throughs satisfying for the hosting companies?

a 10 percent click through rate at webhostdir is pretty satisfying for us :)

Greg Moore