Nice site, SEO'd, Ready to go - How to get them to post?

I have a nice site for classifieds - any suggestions on gaining users?

[master rickster]

Hello folks
I'm running a Classified Ad web site.
I have a nice sight design, easy navigation, SEO optimized. I get visitors.

Any suggestions on getting the visitors to POST something? That seems to be the tricky part!

Thanks for yor help!

Rick

[edited by: TallTroll at 3:39 pm (utc) on Dec. 19, 2003]

[mipapage]

master_rickster,

Welcome to WebmasterWorld [webmasterworld.com]... (check out #13)

Can you tell us a bit more about how the site functions?

[master rickster]

The site it free, you just need to register to POST an ad. And that registration is on every page: Email and username.

Any Reader can read from either their PC or their mobile at mobile.londoncat.co.uk

I get about 150 visitors a day so far - sometimes up to 500, depending on Google's pernicious behavior for that week.

I think the combination of free posting, and free mobile surfing is a pretty good combination.

Rick

[edited by: master_rickster at 1:46 pm (utc) on Dec. 19, 2003]

[trillianjedi]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld... (check out #13)

[master rickster]

Aha - I deciphered the criptic #13 message. No problem.

I just read what could be done in the Style Codes, and did it. They're right there on every page, perhaps that little URL bit should be removed.

But now I know, so I won't do it any longer.

But how do I ask the question and let my answer be asked if I can't put in the url?

Can I just put in: " The url is LondonCat.co.uk " instead of actually using the URL tag?

I'm not really promoting anything. Just asking a relevant question to the fine minds of WebmasterWorld.

Thanks for the heads up!
Rick

[trillianjedi]

But how do I ask the question and let my answer be asked if I can't put in the url?

You don't need people to see your site to answer the question. Just word the question it in general terms. In fact, your thread title and description is all you really need. I take it you're after ideas?

Can I just put in: " The url is LondonCat.co.uk " instead of actually using the URL tag?

Nope, and you should really go back and edit your first two posts before a mod has to do it.

TJ

[trillianjedi]

How about setting it up so that registration is part and parcel of posting the ad, rather than being a pre-requisite?

In other words, you go through the procedure for writing an advert, and the last page asks for their username and a proposed password. Then they get an email with a unique URL in it which they click on and then the ad gets posted?

That might just get a couple of extra posts from the people that think ".... registration, I can't be bothered". And I know from membership based sites I've done that there are a few like that.

I'm assuming that you are already targetting the right kind of visitors? Your logfiles are gold dust in that respect.

TJ

[master rickster]

Strangely there is no "owner edit" on my first post. But I've removed it from the second.

That is a good idea - about registering at the end. It would take a bit of recoding, but I think that is a very good idea.

Thanks!

[palmpal]

People who advertise want to know their ad will be seen. Try offering another service on the same site. If your ads are local to one area you could offer information about local events. Think of your local paper. People who read the news also read the ads. I once saw a site that offered free ads in conjunction with photos of various local events. People would go online, find their picture taken from a public event and have the opportunity to purchase reprints, etc. People who placed local ads could check out pictures of local events and vice versa.

Good Luck!

[master rickster]

That is also a good idea - I think its time to start adding photo capability.

I'm toying around with PHPbb to add a forum also. Flesh out the site a bit.

Thanks for the input.

Rick