Thread: How to attract users?

Hey

I just launched a few days ago a new classified site called AdsClassified.
Although currently in beta, the site and ads categories are fully functional.
Now, I am wondering how to get more users to visit and post their ads.

Any ideas would be great.

Thanks

You always look through the Marketing section here for ideas on how to promote. There is already a lot of useful information there. Search Engines, Marketing and Promotion - Webmaster Forum

I just looked at my site stats since launch (3 days ago) and here are the stats:

Sunday 3rd October 2010
-163 loads
-154 unique visitors
-154 first time visitors

Saturday 2nd October 2010
-46 loads
-35 unique visitors
-35 first time visitors

Friday 1st October 2010:
-76 page loads
-58 unique visitors
-57 first time visitors
- 1 returning visitor

So, it seems my next problem is how to convert those visitors in ads posting.

get a new design for your website, how the site is displayed affects the end users decision to registar/post or not.

Yea, but what wordpress theme? Too many choices.
Any suggestions?

Originally Posted by avguste

Yea, but what wordpress theme? Too many choices.
Any suggestions?

Ad location is important. Focus on that when you select a template. Ads (or promo info about listing their site) at the top get the most clicks.

The site is about people posting their classified ads.
The ads I currently have on the front page are affiliate programs.

But this gives me the idea to have a "Post your ad" image/link

Originally Posted by avguste

But this gives me the idea to have a "Post your ad" image/link

Yeah.. like in your top banner slot.

Yep, although right now I have it as a text link

I think the template sorely needs an update to compete and probably stressing how safe your web site is to use would probably do you wonders. eBay and a lot of other auction sites or classified sites base their ad services toward protecting the sellers and buyers.

Good point and I am working on that. Actually I need to make a phone call tomorrow concerning security.

Concerning the template, well I am not a coder, so I can't code my own, however WordPress has many great ones. Just having trouble selecting one.
Any suggestions?

So avguste:

Let me ask you a question, with dozens of classified scripts out there to pick from, why would you do this with WP?

It seems way too general to me, and there really is no reason someone would post with zero traffic. You probably need to do one of the following:
1. Do a silent auction where people donate items
2. Have a contest, and give away some free stuff
3. Find a niche where you can involve some real people.

LeenkzMike, I looked at different options, but at the end of the day, the script Wordpress Classifieds Plugin ended up providing more features for an unbeatable price: free
Another reason is that I like wordpress and how easy it is to manage/add things.

dvduval, the site was opened about 5 days ago. In 5 days, there has been 475 page loads, with 417 unique visitors. For a 5 day old site, I think it is pretty good.
I am working on finding connection (niche), but takes some time.

At the same time, I have the site listed as beta, which will allow me to find a better theme and other things.

The site looks unfinished. It may be just that you don't have any ads posted yet. Get on the phone and call your friends and family to get them to post something!! You need to have some content to keep the "lookyloos" you've been getting interested.

I had trouble navigating the links. The TICKETS page was a very slow load..so you might want to check that out as well. I think someone else suggested a contest of some type. Not a bad idea. Free always attracts attention.

You need to check the "calendar" at the top of the page. The About Us page had the date as June 18. Users pay attention to outdated information and use it as a reason to stay clear.

he he he he, if you make the url in the ads dofollow, you will get a bunch of seo marketing guys adding ads on your site and that will get you some traffic.

But seriously, its an classified ads page. so the look doesnt really matter. What is important is waht it offers. Look at Craigslist for example. its the ugliest site in the world but every one knows about it.

You should read about how they got their site to be so popular and see if you can come up with an ideas from that

Equations8, what links caused you trouble in navigating?
The site I think is as finished as it is going to be. The only item that I may change is the theme, but that will come later.
And yes, ads are the content that is missing, although, it seems that ads are slowly coming in.

Concerning the ticket system, I am looking at different options, but as of now,this will be the ticket system,

I am also working on security for both trading/buying and dating. I am hoping to have more about this within the next few weeks.
Also, working on a FAQ

thewebmistress, nice idea. I will have to check on the dofollow. I will also check on how craigslist was successful. One reason for AdsClassified is to provide better security, less spamming and more features, but yea, I will check on how craigslist did succeed.
-----

What do you guys think about the theme? Anything better that I could use?
Also, should I require for people to register?

My initial thought about registration is to not require it. I realize that leaving the site without registration would possibly create spam, however I do plan on using a free and paid options (both on PayPal) which hopefully will prevent too much spam.

Originally Posted by avguste

Equations8, what links caused you trouble in navigating?
The site I think is as finished as it is going to be. The only item that I may change is the theme, but that will come later.
And yes, ads are the content that is missing, although, it seems that ads are slowly coming in..

I am glad you are getting some ads. I went back to your site to test the links again and got through all except Privacy and Tickets with ease. I was never able to see the Tickets page. I went to another website to see if I could get through the links there and was able to do so without any problem. The pages took so long to load that I ended up stopping the load. I then tried to go back to the Home page and the About page and these pages hung also.

It is interesting to note that I did not have a problem with loading the Home or About page until after trying to load the Privacy and Tickets pages.

So far as the look of your site goes...the only thing missing is ADS!!! Best of luck to you.

I just tested what you reported.
Privacy and Tickets page both loaded . All pages took about 2-3 seconds to load, except for the tickets page which took more or less double. And I wasn't able to reproduce the slow loading for Home and About.

Anyone else encountering the same problem?

Hey all
Is the site up? For some reason, one of my monitors shows the site as being down

Site is working well. Just need more ads posted

Hi,
Friend what a nice post i like this post so much. I am a newbie for this forum site.
Thanks for this nice sharing.

My pleasure. Still working on getting more visitors to post ads

Yes, it is good site, you may also apply adsense here.

For instant traffic to new sites you can use Google adwords or similar programs to make your site popular.Though it is a little bit costly;it works.

yea, I do have google adsense activated. Not sure how well it works though.

The most interesting method is to post often and to post just quality articles. If a user will find valuable information on your site, almost sure the user will be back.

best way is to attract users is having content to ur site

Hi,
I saw your classified site.Most of site classified categories are same format.But your site just different from them.You didnt add major category "services".And the submit form option different from other classified site...

Having compelling ad copy, that just hypnotises the user to find out more is the first step

You can attract the users by having the good site page ranking and the templates of the site ,also by having the quality type products that you want to promote in the market these all can attract the users.

Thanks.....