The document discusses business models for online classifieds and directories. It begins with an agenda that covers market overviews, business models, listings/sales, audience/marketing, and technology/partnerships over two days. Day one focuses on strategy, discussing whether a company should enter the online classifieds space and what strategy to pursue. Day two covers tactics for success. The document then examines characteristics of classified/directory sites like structured databases and user-generated listings. It also explores revenue models that typically evolve from free basic listings and ad networks for new sites to paid listings and performance advertising for more mature sites.
3. 3
In the two-day seminar, we want to address two
questions?
Day 1: Strategy
Should my company have an online classified or directory
business?
If yes, what strategy should my company pursue?
Day 2: Tactics
What does my company need to do to be successful?
What actions does my company need to consider?
Agenda
6. Digital Impacts
Source: NAA; Classified Intelligence Report, 2010.
US Newpaper Classifieds – 2000 to 2011
In just over five years, US print classified advertising declined by
over 70%.
2010 Craigslist
Estimated Revenue =
$120 mm
7. Digital Impacts
US Newspaper Advertising by Source – 2000 to 2017f
Sources: NAA, Borrell Associates Inc.
$billions
For local and regional media, classified declines were mostly from
local advertisers.
8. 8
Market Size
Global Online Advertising, 2012
Total = $88.4 billion
Global Online Classified Forecast
(US $ billions)
Source: ZenithOptimedia, 2012.
Forecast
Globally the smallest segment of online advertising, classifieds have
still generated impressive growth.
9. Global Competitors
Gannett, Co eBay Recruit Naspers Seek Schibsted
Markets US/UK Global Global Global Australia/Asia Global
Media Print/Online Online Only
Print/Onlin
e Print/Online Online Only Print/Online
Brands CareerBuilder StubHub Recruit OLX Seek.com.au Bloket
Cars.com* Gumtree Suumo Allegro 104.com.tw* Finn.no
HomeFinder* Kijiji Indeed Slando Zhaopin.com Mudah.my*
ShopLocal Craigslist* CarSensor Career24 JobStreet.com* Berniaga.id*
Est.Revenue
:
Classified $1.5 billion $1.2 billion $3 billion $640 million $2.6 billion $350 million
Total $5.4 billion $11.4 billion $ 9 billion $6.4 billion $2.6 billion $19.1 billion
Major Global Classified Players
Source: Company reports, 2012;
Shaded columns indicate companies with a base business in news-oriented prints
Several global competitors have emerged; the market continues to be
regional and fragmented.
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Online Classifieds
Online classified and directory advertising in Russia and Central
Eastern Europe is developing, but still represents a potentially large
market.
Estimated Online Classified Market, 2011
(millions)
Source: IAB Europe, 2011: Company reports, 2011; eMarketer, Avendus
€100 - 140
€20 - 35
20 – 30%
Forecast
13. The Russian market is fragmented between dedicated classifieds
sites.
13
Russian Competitors
Alexa
Rank Site Category Corporate Ownership
#18 Avito.ru Free Classifieds Privately Held - Accel Partners (US)
#27 Auto.ru Auto Privately Held
#28 Slando.ru Free Classifieds Allegro Group/Naspers (South Africa)
#45 Drom.ru Auto FarPost Group (Vladivostok)
#50 HH.ru Recruitment Mail.ru (Naspers 29%)
#62 TIU.ru Directory Allegro Group/Naspers (South Africa)
#92 IRR.RU Free Classifieds Trader East Media/Hurriyet (Turkey)
#150 OLX.ru Free Classifieds Naspers (South Africa)
#218 Rabota.ru Recruitment RDWmedia.ru
#241 Molotok.ru Free Classifieds Allegro Group/Naspers (South Africa)
#304 Autonews.ru Auto RBC Holdings/Handelsblatt (Germany)
#338 AutoRambler.ru Auto Rambler Group
#351 Job.ru Recruitment Trader East Media/Hurriyet (Turkey)
#401 FarPost.ru Free Classifieds FarPost Group (Vladivostok)
Largest Russian Online Classified Sites
Source: Alexa 2012
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Ukrainian Competitors
The Ukrainian market is also relatively fragmented.
Alexa
Rank Site Category Corporate Ownership
#23 Slando.ua Free Classifieds Allegro Group/Naspers (S. Africa)
#27 Aukro.ua Free Classifieds Allegro Group/Naspers (S. Africa)
#52 Work.ua Recruitment Privately Held
#86 Rabota.ua Recruitment Grupa Pracuj (Poland)
#178 Avtobazar.ru Auto Privately Held
#198 Drive2.ru Auto Privately Held
#229 OLX.com.ua Free Classifieds Naspers (South Africa)
#263 HH.ua Recruitment Mail.ru Group (Russia)
#288 AutoUA.net Auto Privately Held
#300 Jobs.ua Recruitment Privately Held
#356 TORG.ua Auto Privately Held
#459 TIU.ru Directory Allegro Group/Naspers (S. Africa)
Largest Ukrainian Online Classified Sites
Source: Alexa 2012
15. Classified Competition
But global competitors are driving consolidation.
Naspers consolidates Slando.ru and OLX.ru into Avito.ru
• Invests US $ 50 million in addition to the value of Slando and OLX in
Russia.
• ComScore Russia reports that in January 2013:
- Avito.ru = 16.5 million unique visitors
- Slando.ru = 10.9 million unique visitors
- OLX.ru = 4.0 million unique visitors
Successful execution could result in similar consolidation in Ukraine.
16. Classified Competition
The major regional portals also offer strong classified
offerings in both Russia and the Ukraine.
√ = Classified category available
A = Classified available through partnership or aggregation
– = Classified category not available.
√ = Classified category available
A = Classified available through partnership or aggregation
– = Classified category not available.
17. Classified Competition
Finally Russia’s strong regional online portals also
offer strong classified sites.
Consolidation is also beginning among the regional portals.
Hearst Shkulev Digital Media – Regional Network
Alexa # Region Jobs Auto Real Estate General Directory
e1.ru #131 Yekaterinburg √ √ √ √ √
NGS.ru #172 Novosibirsk √ √ √ √ √
NN.ru #355 Nizhny Novgorod – √ √ – –
Fontanka.net #358 St. Petersburg – – A (kvadrat.ru) – –
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Online Classifieds
Given the increasing consolidation in online classifieds how can my
company compete?
Build on your company’s strengths:
- Strengths of your local sales teams
- Strength of your traditional classified business
- Strength of your company’s reputation in your market
- Strength of your company’s technology expertise
We will look at each of these in more depth tomorrow.
Build on a unique knowledge of a market
- Understanding of a particular type of product or consumer
- Understanding of a particular location or distribution technique
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Online Classifieds
Niche classified or directory sites can target many types of online
seller or online buyer.
Particular hobbies - Hiking and Climbing -> Geartrade.com
Particular professions – Agriculture -> Farms.com
Particular lifestage – Newlyweds -> The Knot
Particular product/service – Serviced Apartments –> At Your Service
Particular type of company – Restaurants –> DianPing
Success is often driven by the uniqueness of your understanding of
the needs of the audience or the seller.
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Online Classifieds
What are the key strengths or assets needed to be successful in
online classifieds?
Listing Volume and Quality: Sites with most listings and listings with the
most detailed and accurate information tend to succeed.
Audience: Sites with a large number of visitors who return frequently tend
to succeed.
Technology: Sites with technology that makes it easier for visitors and
search engines to find, share and execute on a listing tend to succeed.
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Online Classifieds - Strategy
Depending on the type of classifieds and your company’s strengths,
there are several different local classified strategies to consider.
Go It Alone: Build, sell and market your own classified advertising site.
Build a Network: Work with other local media to create more audience,
build one site together; each partner markets and sells the site separately.
Partner with National Site: Work together with a national classified site.
National classified site provides technology platform, perhaps national
marketing and sales; local partners sell and market in locally.
Traffic Partnership: Sell a traffic sponsorship to a national partner; do not
create or sell local online classified advertising.
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Online Classifieds - Strategy
“Go It Alone” strategy requires technology, sales and marketing
strengths.
“Go It Alone” Overview
Build, sell, and market an independent
classified site.
Strengths Required:
- Dominant offline classified business
- Strong local sales and marketing
- Strong technology team
Risks:
- Focused competition from national site
- Cannibalization of print by online
Longterm Strategy:
- Dominate locally; expand regionally
KP22.ru
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Online Classifieds - Strategy
“Build A Network” Overview
Partner with other similar media
companies to build a larger audience to
compete with national players.
Strengths Required:
- Good offline classified business
- Strong local sales and marketing
- Strong technology team
Risks:
- Focused competition from national site
- Cannibalization of print by online
- Difficulty managing network partners
Longterm Strategy:
- Dominate locally; expand network
“Build a Network” builds on a group of similar like minded media
sites to seize a larger part of the online audience for classifieds.
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Online Classifieds - Strategy
Creating a classified or directory network requires several key steps
in order to be successful.
Establishing a corporate form for the network
• Develop corporate form to support the ongoing sales, marketing and
technology development of the network
Choosing complementary network partners
• Media partners working in overlapping geographic areas creates
network conflict.
Selecting a technology platform to share
• Platforms can developed, acquired, or shared with a national player
• Determine how to fund the continuing development of the platform
Identifying partner roles and responsibilities
• Defining roles, responsibilities and compensation for the partners in
the network.
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Online Classifieds - Strategy
“Partner with National Site” Overview
Partner with a national classified site.
National site provides technology; local
partner provides sales and marketing.
Strengths Required:
- Good offline classified business
- Strong local sales and marketing
Risks:
- Cannibalization of print by online
- National site takes over sales and
marketing at the end of the contract
Longterm Strategy:
- National site wins; exit classified business.
“Partner with National Site” strategy recognizes that national sites
have strong technology and local media have strong local sales and
marketing.
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Online Classifieds - Strategy
Partnering with a national classified site also requires some careful
negotiations and consideration of key roles and responsibilities.
Who sells the classified ads?
- In what area/market?
- Conflict management?
What is the revenue model for classified or directory ads sold?
- Common price, commission on sales
- Wholesale price, margin controlled by seller
- Hybrid
What is the branding and marketing relationship?
- Single shared brand
- “Private label” relationship, potentially two or more brands
- Marketing requirements and restrictions
How to reflect partner needs for new technology requirements?
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Online Classifieds - Strategy
“Traffic Sponsorship” Overview
Sell a national classified site the ability to
gain new users by linking their site to yours.
Strengths Required:
- Strong local web traffic to main site
Risks:
- Traffic fluctuations.
- Negotiations
Longterm Strategy:
- Focus on traffic growth.
“Traffic Sponsorship” leaves all sales, marketing and technology to
the larger national competitors.
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Online Classifieds - Strategy
Traffic relationships/partnerships require consideration of many
typically advertising related details.
What kind of presence is required on your website?
- Traffic partner logos?
- Size of logo?
- Presence on specific pages? All pages?
What price will the traffic partner pay?
- Minimum price?
- Does price reflect any performance payments?
- Are there any penalties?
Who is responsible for implementation costs?
- Does the traffic partner pay an upfront “good faith” implementation fee
- Does your company absorb the costs?
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Overview
The business model for online classifieds/directory describes how the
business works and answers these three basic questions:
Defining the Business Model
1.What are the characteristics of the classified/directory site?
2.How do these characteristics create revenues?
3.How do these characteristics generate costs?
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Characteristics
Classified sites are composed of three main components – the page
template, the database structure, and the data.
Component Overviews
Anchor Axis Data #1 Data #2 Data #3 Data #4
Location 1 # # # #
Location 2 # # # #
Location 3 # # # #
Location 4 # # # #
Location 5 # # # #
Location 6 # # # #
DataSetDataBase
Page Template
Name: (Data #1)
Location: (Data #2)
Description: (Data #3)
#5 #6 #7 #8
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Characteristics
Classifieds/Directory business model is driven in part by structured
databases of simple data.
Structured Databases
Classified/directory sites have a central dataset (axis) of common
information that changes infrequently.
- Auto : Car make and model
- Jobs : Company name
- Real Estate : Home location
- General Classifieds : Classified category
- Directory : Company name
Each classified/directory listing is composed of fields of commonly
understood structured data
- Auto : Make, model, year, color, …
- Job : Company, job title, annual salary, …
- Real Estate : Size, location, # bedrooms, …
- Directory : Company name, location, logo, …
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Characteristics
Classified/directory sites in a single market often share the standard
fields of data.
Directory - Restaurants
Shared Data Fields:
•Name
•Location
•Cuisine
•Open hours
•Diner ratings
•
Shared Data Fields:
•Name
•Location
•Cuisine
•Open hours
•Diner ratings
•
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Characteristics
Common data fields in similar classified and directory markets impact
the business model in multiple ways.
Business Model Impacts
Lowers barriers to entry and increases competition
Raises the requirements for quality of the data:
- Most accurate
- Most up-to-date
Raises the cost of acquiring and validating the data
Raises the requirements for data search and analysis
The data structure is a commodity, mostly shared among
competitors.
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Characteristics
The data for classifieds is submitted by the sellers to the classified
site according to the data fields for the market.
User Interface Elements
• Title
• Category
• Description
• Price
• Photo/Video
• Other Fields
- Make, Model, Yr
- Job Name, Salary
• Contact Name
• Contact Details
- Phone
- Email
- Social Media
• Authentification
• Terms of Service
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Characteristics
User generated/seller generated information also impacts the
business model for classifieds.
Business Model Impacts
Creates costs to validate and organize the data.
- “The more accurate the data, the higher the chances of success.”
Creates a marketing and product development challenge:
- Creating the most simple user/seller input process AND
- Creating user incentives for more data and more accurate data
Creates a challenge to develop user submission processes for both
individuals who submit single items as well as businesses who submit
multiple items at the same time – “bulk upload”.
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Characteristics
Directories face a different data challenge – creating or acquiring the
central directory axis and encouraging the user to interact with the
listing.
Axis Database:
- Company Name
- Location
Database acquired.
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Revenue Models
Classified and directory sites share a set of standard revenue
approaches often evolve as the site becomes more mature.
Stage 1: New site
Site Goals: Grow listings,
datasets and users
Revenue Model:
- Free basic listings
- Ad Network Revenue
Ad Network closely
tied to ad categories
- Page titles
- Keywords
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Revenue Models
Revenue model evolution – Stage 2: Paid to Post.
Stage 2: Paid to Post
Site Goals: Generate revenue
for special posting features
Basic posting free
Additional Service Fees:
- Post to specific categories
(Real Estate, Auto, Jobs)
- Pay to post photos
- Pay to post extra photos
- Pay to promote listing
- Pay for special notifications
(SMS, phone, email, …)
- Pay for anonymous email
- Pay to distribute to larger
area.
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Revenue Models
Revenue model evolution – Stage 2: Pay for Services
Stage 3: Pay for Services
Site Goals: Maximize revenue
Provide services to
users/buyers
- Buy tickets
- Restaurant reservations
- Used auto examinations
- Home inspections
- Home decorating
Provide services to
posters/sellers
- Test drive scheduling
- Home viewing
- Resume review
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Summary
Online classifieds/directory share several common characteristics
that make competition more important than technology.
Databases: All are powered by structured databases of content:
- Auto = Make, Model, Year, details, …
- Real Estate = Location, Size, details, …
- Jobs = Job Category, Job Title, requirements, …
Content: Classified content is mostly contributed by the user/advertiser.
Content: Directory content is mostly acquired or created.
Revenue opportunities evolve with the site traffic and listings.
- Free to post; advertising revenues from ad networks
- Free basic post; incremental payments for special posting features
- Special services provided to either the user/buyer or the poster/seller.
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Criteria for Success
What are the key strengths or assets needed to be successful in
online classifieds?
Listing Volume and Quality:
Sites with most listings and listings with the most detailed and accurate
information tend to succeed.
Audience:
Sites with a large number of visitors who return frequently tend to succeed.
Technology:
Sites with technology that makes it easier for visitors and search engines to
find, share and execute on a listing tend to succeed.
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Where to Begin?
Sometimes this is called the chicken and egg problem.
1.To have the best audience, you need to first have listings?
2.But, if you don’t have a larger enough audience, then no one will want to
post a listing.
The Chicken The Eggs
48. 48
Where to Begin?
Chicken or the egg? Listings or Audience?
It depends on your company’s strengths?
Listings:
Does your company have an existing traditional (print/audio/video) directory
or classified business? Can you build on these listings?
Does your company have existing traditional advertisers who have access to
large amounts of listings? Auto dealers? Recruitment companies?
Audience:
Does your company have a strong online audience for your traditional news
products? Print? TV? Online?
Does your company have a unique audience (consumers or businesses) that
buy or trade among each other?
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Where to Begin?
Depending on your initial focus, your new online classified/directory
may be very different.
Listings – First
50. 50
Where to Begin?
Depending on your initial focus, your new online classified/directory
may be very different.
Audience – First
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Listings Development
To develop a base of listings for your online classified or directory
business there are two approaches to explore.
Listings Development Tactics
1.Internal techniques:
- Cross-posting, up-posting or reverse-publishing
- Sales
- Marketing and Promotions
2.Technology:
- Aggregators and Databases
- Self Service Techniques
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Listings Development
Building on your company’s traditional listings is sets the foundation
for your online classified/directory sites.
Cross Posting:
Creates a process either manual or technological to re-post print classifieds
to the online site
•The costs of reposting are driven by the underlying print publishing
technology.
•Manual re-entry can be expensive, but can create listing volume
•If classifieds are integrated directly into your newspaper product as a
section, direct cross-posting can erode circulation in the short term.
•Often an “upsell” charge is added to the print classified listings to cover the
costs of the cross-posting plus some profit margin.
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Listings Development
Building on your company’s traditional listings is sets the foundation
for your online classified/directory sites.
(continued)
Up-Posting:
Allows print classified advertisers to post extra or bonus content to the online
classifieds.
•Bonus content often includes unique online items:
- Maps
- Extra photos, floor plans, documents
- Videos
- Longer descriptions
•Up-posting price is driven by the costs of acquiring the content from the
poster, the cost of the technology and infrastructure to host and serve the
additional content
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Listings Development
Building on your company’s traditional listings is sets the foundation
for your online classified/directory sites.
(continued)
Reverse Publishing:
Publishes online classifieds in print for an additional price.
•Creates additional listings for the print product
•Feasibility relies on the ease of the newspaper publishing system to receive
the online classified feed.
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Listings Development
Your company’s in-house classified sales team is also critical to
building the foundation of listings.
Sales Resources: Two types of sales forces – “inside sales” sell on the
phone and “outside sales” sell in-person.
Inside Sales:
-Both outbound calling to potential advertisers and receiving inbound calls
from potential advertisers.
-Small, occasional advertisers
-Economics requires high volume, mid to low priced advertising.
-Profitability driven by creating the “repeat ad” and to increase the
advertisers spending on a particular
Outside Sales:
-Larger, more frequent advertisers
-In-person visit to create more regularity in advertising schedule
-Profitability is driven in part by contracts and new account acquisition
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Listings Development
Your company’s in-house classified sales team is also critical to
building the foundation of listings.
(continued)
Sales Resources: Marketing/Sales Development:
-Develops “lead lists” for both outside sales and outbound calling for inside
sales
-Develops criteria to describe high probability advertising prospects
-Develops lists from competitive media as well as directories
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Listings Development
Your company’s marketing department can create additional listings
volume.
Promotions: Promotions can create many different results.
Increase number of classifieds posted in a period:
Special pricing or special rewards for committing to multiple ads in a period
or in a category.
“Want a new iPad? Buy three classified ads in the Technology/PC category in
the next two months for the price of two. All posters will be entered into a
drawing for a new iPad.”
Increase viewership of the classified section:
Create “games” to encourage browsing of the classified/directory site.
“Treasure Hunt” check out our classified listings to find clues to a special
prize.”
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Listings Development
Your company’s marketing department can create additional listings
volume.
Promotions: Promotions can create many different results.
(continued)
Super Days: Create a special season or focus day for a category of ads.
“Spring Cleaning April special. Cleaning your closets after the long winter?
Post your treasures to our special Spring Cleaning edition and receive special
signage to help your sale.”
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Listings Development
Finally external technology tools can help create a base of listings.
Aggregators and Databases: Partner with external platforms or “classified
search engines” to take in feeds of other related classifieds.
Potential Aggregators
- Yandex (RU)
- Oodle.com (USA)
- Indeed (USA/Japan)
- Jooble (UA)
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Listings Development
Finally external technology tools can help create a base of listings.
Scrapers: Simple programs can “scrape” listings from public websites like
company websites and government employment websites.
• Scrapers usually must be customized by data field and website
design.
• Best used on low frequency types of content like directory listings
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Listings Development
Finally external technology tools can help create a base of listings.
SMS Submission: In mobile friendly markets, some media have combined
payment and ad submission through partnerships with SMS gateways or
telecom providers.
Examples of SMS or other mobile classifieds include:
- Verse Innovations (India)
- Google Trader
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Audience Development
Developing your audience requires a three-part marketing focus on
the users and potential users of your online classified/directory site.
Audience Development Tactics
Cross Promotion
Search Engine Optimization
Social Media
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Cross Promotion
Traditional media properties continue to offer one of the best ways to
promote new online classified/directory sites.
Cross Promotion Tactics
Develop regular cross marketing program
- Use of website URL throughout the traditional classified sections
- Creating a clear separate brand for classifieds online
Develop unique classified/directory related “features” content in the
traditional media: – for example
- Online shopping column/blog which cross promotes the online site
- User reviews/interviews
- Special events – “Spring Cleaning Bazaar”
Bartered promotions can be used to trade advertising inventory (either
print or online) to acquire new audiences through a new medium
- Radio
- Outdoor
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SEO: Site Registration
To help the search engines find your site, set-up accounts with both
Yandex and Google Webmaster services.
65. 65
For both Yandex and Google, site registration will require you to
“verify” your site with the search engine.
Verification requires you to prove the “control” of the site by adding a
short code line to the header of the site. For example:
SEO: Site Registration
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After you have created webmaster accounts and verified your sites,
you can work directly with the search engines.
Most important functions to start are:
Submit Site Map: Submitting a site map informs the search engines how
content is organized and when there is new content on your site.
Identify Languages: Each search engine uses different indexes based on
different languages.
If you create a section of your site in English, the engines will index the site in
Russian, unless you tell them otherwise.
Manage Crawlers: Webmaster tools manages the crawler:
- Crawlrate: How frequently the crawler downloads pages from your site.
- Broken links: Identifies where the crawler has encountered an obstacle.
Both Yandex and Google offer these services.
SEO: Site Registration
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SEO: Page and File Elements
After telling the search engines who you are with webmaster tools,
you have to make sure each page is well labeled.
A few things to remember.
1.Text: Search engines “read” text, not photos, or videos.
Do: Use text to label photos and videos – title, caption, alt-tags.
Don’t: Assume that just because the story is about Putin, that the search
engine will know that the photo is of Putin.
2. Files: More files on the page with supporting text labels, the more likely
the search engines will know what the page is about.
Do: Add photo, video and other related files.
Do: Label each file clearly, including file name, captions and in any “alt-tags”
that are hidden in the page code.
3. Clarity: Be clear, avoid pronouns.
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SEO: Page and File Elements
There are some specifics to pay attention to:
Page Titles: For Yandex and Google the most important label on a
webpage is the Page Title. It may be visible in the URL, or it may be captured
in the “hidden text” in the header.
This is then “read” by the search engines as
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SEO: Page and File Elements
There are some specifics to pay attention to:
Page Description and Meta Tags: This “hidden text” is an important clue
for Yandex, Google does not generally use this in its index.
-Yandex ‘ index is site based, so each site is given a rank, but pages not.
This reflects Yandex’ emphasis on verifiable “brands”
-Google ranks each page and disregards meta information that is site related.
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SEO: Search Engine Rank
Search engines rank your blog based on how engaged your blog is
with other sites.
It’s all about links! The more links to your blog and from your blog to
relevant information, the higher your blog’s importance will be.
Do: Develop as many relevant links and embeds to your blog as possible
A. Blogrolls: Create a list of blogs that you follow about your topics
or location.
B. Link Exchanges: Encourage “related bloggers or sites” to
exchange links with you.
Do: Use links in a text post to your blog.
A. Places or Organizations: Add a link to their websites
B. People: Add a link to their blog, resume page, or social media
page (is they have one).
Do: Use social media to encourage reviews and ratings. All sharing is links.
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Search Engine Summary
Search engines play an important role in helping new and returning
users find your site.
A couple of simple steps will begin the process of developing search
engine traffic.
1.Register your site with Yandex and Google Webmaster Tools
2.Manage your web site and web pages to clearly use text and “hidden text”
markers to tell the search engines what each page is about.
3.Manage the links to and from your site to be the most relevant possible.
The more relevant links the higher your page/site will be ranked which will
contribute to position in the Search Engine Return Page.
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Search Engine Optimization
In addition to these SEO steps, classifieds and directory listings
require a couple of special treatments.
Database Search – ”Dark Web”
Neither Google or Yandex read the “dark web” – information that is
captured in databases that require users to search for a listing.
Neither Google or Yandex can “create a search” – the crawler robot cannot
fill out a form.
The search engines can only crawl the flat web.
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Search Engine Optimization
Creating special “classification” pages with clear page titles will help
the search engines to find your listings.
Creating Classification Pages
Pages are generally created with lists of classifieds in reverse chronological
order.
These “classification” pages may number in the thousands and are often
listed in the footer at the bottom of the home page.
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Search Engine Optimization
Yandex provides a classified listing aggregation service in which site
operators submit a feed to be included in classified search.
Yandex Classified Aggregation
76. 76
Social Media
Social Media also can help users promote their own listings as well as
increase the number of links helping SEO.
Social Media Distribution: Distribution of listings through targeted social
media pages – vKontakte or FaceBook pages
Social Media Sharing: Allows. Individuals to repost items that they are
selling or want to buy on their social media pages.
Notas do Editor
Remember to appeal for questions and suggestions to improve the presentation…
Knight Ridder’s largest US newspaper in 2000 published Sunday after Sunday some of the largest classified sections in the US newspaper industry – job listings, used cars, apartments for sale, used furniture, … We measured the Sunday paper by weight, not by pages. “This Sunday’s paper was 5 lbs of classifieds. Full of job listings, used cars for sale, apartments to sell or rent, …” Home subscribers complained that when the paper landed on their door steps it was so heavy it woke them up on Sunday morning. Classifieds represented approximately 40% of revenue. Profits on every dollar of classified revenue approached 80%. Classifieds were our most “hi-tech” advertising product. We employed sales reps who used high tech, telephone call center technology. Profits from classified advertising funded journalism prizes, community charities, and a newsroom that at its height include hundred of journalists. Just 60km from our offices in San Jose…
… was a small hobby called Craigslist. Founded by Craig Newmark in 1995 as an email featuring local events in San Francisco. In 1996, Craig launched a simple website with long lists of events and the first local classifieds, apartments to rent and part-time jobs… Anyone could post a listing for free… Four years later the company had 9 employees a website and the began charging for basic job listings. $75 per listings. Users were mostly young people who worked in on crazy websites and game companies. We barely even noticed them. 2001 US Internet bubble burst. Unemployment rose, advertising shrank and the classified sections got much lighter. But a short recession… a few months at worst. And in Silicon Valley, it was especially short, not even a year, even though it was our bubble. But the paper didn’t get heavier again. Those days were gone. Classified advertisers had learned a cheaper, faster, and easier to use alternative to the Mercury News’ classifieds.
In 2000, data from the NAA showed that classified advertising in newspapers peaked at close to $20 billion in US. That year, it made up 40% of total print advertising revenue and one-third of overall industry revenues. Ten years later, the figures for classifieds was about a quarter of that. From 2000 to 2009, classifieds shrank by more than 70% in current terms, whilst national and retail print newspaper advertising shrank by about 35%” Other Major Online Only Classified Sites = CareerBuilder Revnues > $3 billion, Monster several billiion….Autotrader, several billion. Reuters, “Ten Years”… Lost profits resulted in needs for constant re-sizing the newsroom. Layoffs have reduced the number of journalists covering local and state markets by thousands.
In 2000, data from the NAA showed that classified advertising in newspapers peaked at close to $20 billion in US. That year, it made up 40% of total print advertising revenue and one-third of overall industry revenues. Ten years later, the figures for classifieds was about a quarter of that. From 2000 to 2009, classifieds shrank by more than 70% in current terms, whilst national and retail print newspaper advertising shrank by about 35%” Reuters, “Ten Years”… SideBar: - National mostly “preprints” - Where did local go? Much of it went to self-serve, free capabilites or moved from advertising to “marketing expense”. - Do we have a local advertising line? From Borrell Deck: We see overall newspaper print revenues being flat to down one or two points this year. For 2013, we’re forecasting a 0.5% (one half of one percent) increase. Beyond that, we might see growth of 1 to 2 percentage points per year until 2017. That will be driven by smaller newspapers – those below 50,000 daily or weekly circulation. Those in the 50,000 to 100,000 circulation range will likely see mixed results but mostly flat revenues, while whose with more than 100,000 circulation are likely to continue to see declines in the 4% to 6% range. National advertising remains basically flat, while local is where the growth is.
From IAB Europe: European Online Advertising Distribution: Display = 34% Search = 47% Classified/Dir = 19% CEE Online Advertising Distribution: Display = 45% Search = 47% Classified = 7% IAB’s reasoning for the large difference is the strength of Yandex and the role of major portals in delivering classifieds. Also probably a reporting issue.
Other major players: India’s Quikr.com China’s 58.com
Also from the IAB Europe Report: Ukraine not measured, no local IAB organization. Total Online Ad Spend, 2011 Russia, €1.12 b, 56% over 2010 Croatia, € 26m, 40% Serbia, €12m, 36% Slovenia, €32m, 31% Czech Rep, €269m, 11% Slovakia, €45m, 30%
South African Media Holding Naspers contributes Slando.ru and OLX.ru into the leading in this segment Avito.ru, and in addition invests 50 million USD. Slando.ru and OLX.ru which belong to Naspers will become the part of Avito.ru soon: all visitors will be automatically redirected to Avito.ru main page. Slando and OLX will still continue to be independent projects outside Russia. Moreover, Naspers invests into Avito Holding 50 million USD. As a result of this investment and websites merger South African Holding will get 18,6% of Avito Holding. Invested funds from Naspers will be used to strengthen Avito’s position in the most important directions - “Cars” and “Real Estate”. According to ComScore data of January 2013, Avito.ru was leading in this segment, with the monthly audience of 16,5 million unique visitors, Slando.ru – was at the second place with 10,9 million u.v., OLX.ru was the fifth with 4 million u.v. From the FT report:
South African Media Holding Naspers contributes Slando.ru and OLX.ru into the leading in this segment Avito.ru, and in addition invests 50 million USD. Slando.ru and OLX.ru which belong to Naspers will become the part of Avito.ru soon: all visitors will be automatically redirected to Avito.ru main page. Slando and OLX will still continue to be independent projects outside Russia. Moreover, Naspers invests into Avito Holding 50 million USD. As a result of this investment and websites merger South African Holding will get 18,6% of Avito Holding. Invested funds from Naspers will be used to strengthen Avito’s position in the most important directions - “Cars” and “Real Estate”. According to ComScore data of January 2013, Avito.ru was leading in this segment, with the monthly audience of 16,5 million unique visitors, Slando.ru – was at the second place with 10,9 million u.v., OLX.ru was the fifth with 4 million u.v. From the FT report:
Knight Ridder’s largest US newspaper in 2000 published Sunday after Sunday some of the largest classified sections in the US newspaper industry – job listings, used cars, apartments for sale, used furniture, … We measured the Sunday paper by weight, not by pages. “This Sunday’s paper was 5 lbs of classifieds. Full of job listings, used cars for sale, apartments to sell or rent, …” Home subscribers complained that when the paper landed on their door steps it was so heavy it woke them up on Sunday morning. Classifieds represented approximately 40% of revenue. Profits on every dollar of classified revenue approached 80%. Classifieds were our most “hi-tech” advertising product. We employed sales reps who used high tech, telephone call center technology. Profits from classified advertising funded journalism prizes, community charities, and a newsroom that at its height include hundred of journalists. Just 60km from our offices in San Jose…