Magnetic signs on cars for offline marketing

keywords over branding?

[Trisha]

There was a discussion a while back ([webmasterworld.com ])(esp. msg.28,31+) about using magnetic signs on cars for offline marketing. I'm considering doing this for a web design business. Neither of our cars are brand new, they're old, but not falling apart, so hopefully that won't be a problem.

My business name doesn't have anything in it that suggests web sites, so I am thinking of using more of a keyword instead of a branding approach. In other words, big letters saying Web Sites, and my slogan (which describes what I specialize in), URL and phone number, rather than having my company name written in great big letters on it. Which do you think would be more effective? For people who have had success with magnetic signs on cars, did it bring more direct sales, or help you more with branding?

[korkus2000]

I have a bumper sticker on my car that has my company domain name on it. I have had people ask me about my services in traffic. Can't really tell other than that that it is noticed. It can work depending on where you drive. I spend over 4 hours in my car commuting to and from work. When you spend as much time as I do in bumper to bumper traffic it can pay off. If you breeze into work then you need a pretty visable place to park.

[jatar_k]

Every possible extra exposure is good exposure, I like the WEB SITES approach.

korkus,
maybe you should change the url to look like site.com?source=bumper might help with tracking ;)

[mivox]

I'd stick with the company name/domain name. They will know what to look for if they try to look you up online... if they use your keywords, you might accidentally send them to a competitor they find in the SERP near your listing!

[Dante_Maure]

Trisha, you've got exactly the right idea.

If your domain or company name does not immediately imply a benefit to your potential customers, you'll do much better with an attention getting headline and sub-head which speaks directly to your ideal prospect.

Two tips...

1) Always keep some business cards in your glove compartment. People will approach you and ask about your business and you want to be able to give them something tangible to go home with whenever possible.

2) If your URL is not short and easy to remember, or if it is prone to misspelling, you may want to consider registering a new one just for your offline promotions.

[amoore]

I had one stolen off a car on Saturday night. I parked it right outside a pretty popular bar and left it there all night. The sign was gone in the morning. Just something to think about. (I'm hoping the theif advertises for me a lot)

[ukgimp]

For 8 months I had larger sign in my cars rear windsreen and to be honest I dont know if it made much difference. It was short and sweat but I just dont know where they came from. If I was going to do it again I may set up an alternative url so that I can track referals

amoore

Your magnetic strip is probably in some student hovel attached to a frige taking pride of place as the lastest beer token. :)

[Trisha]

Thanks for all the feedback! I'm going to stick with the keywords approach, but I'll make sure that my domain name/url is also prominently displayed on the sign.

[garry]

amoore

You were not involved in those drive bys, ram raids, crawling along the sidewalks, drag races...were you?

Just a pity you didnt have it lifted by OJ for his car all those years ago.

Cheers from the Outback