Pros and Cons of Posting Ad Pricing

[kodaks]

I am trying to figure out if you should post advertising rates directly on the website, or should you ask the client to contact you, in order to see the rates.

Any insight is appreciated. Thanks!

[txbakers]

always hide the price. they might be willing to pay more....

the market price is what the market will bear. how will you know the correct price if you post it?

[netguy]

Obviously, it depends on the market, but I would guess 98% won't even bother contacting you if you don't provide an online rate sheet.

You may be leaving some money on the table, but I prefer to know my market, price is fairly, and have prospective buyers contact me, rather than lose the majority because they - understandably - didn't want to bother contacting me for a rate sheet - and sales pitch.

The Internet is very competitive. Just like selling a product... the more restrictions you put in front of a prospective client, the less income you will make.

Steve

[universetoday]

I'll second this. You should really post your prices, and you should make them competitive (cheap). Unless you're completely filling your inventory all the time, you don't want to do anything that would give people a reason to keep on looking.

When someone inquires about advertising with me, I give them a price quote based on my posted rates, but then I throw in a bunch of freebees to really make it worth their while.

[Mark_A]

One of the most successful online advertising funded sites I know of does not post any Ad prices.

Its a specific niche market and narrow type of advertiser they attract and in many cases they will be in contact with advertisers anyhow through other channels of communication.

Different strokes for different folks.

[kodaks]

Different strokes for different folks.

I'll say!

Thanks, everyone for the responses. I guess I will try posting ad prices for a length of time, and then will ask them to contact me for prices, for a length of time, and will see which turns out better revenue.

Thanks again!

[mumbledawg]

I always leave when prices aren't posted. I want to know I am being charged the same rate as everyone else. Not play games with people to see what is the most they can possibly get from me.

[mm1220]

How about playing games to see what's the least possible that you can get away with paying?

[Brett_Tabke]

Bury it in a pdf advertising kit. That way the advertisers can see it if they want, but snoopy competition will just gloss over it. If an advertiser is interested in your site, they will dig for it in the kit.

[kodaks]

Bury it in a pdf advertising kit. That way the advertisers can see it if they want, but snoopy competition will just gloss over it. If an advertiser is interested in your site, they will dig for it in the kit.

Thanks Brett, thats a great idea. I give it a try.

[whoisgregg]

but snoopy competition will just gloss over it

If your competition is paying that little attention, then you don't need to worry about them. :)

When I look to advertise on a site, I expect a basic rate sheet for the most obvious advertising opportunity. I also hope that when I am on the phone with them after a successful month or two later and want to do more advertising, they will have other opportunities available that maybe aren't quoted online. :)