Today I saw a billboard in town for a web designer/SEO expert

52 replies
Earlier tonight, I was driving along here in town and noticed a billboard for a web designer.

Thought that was odd.

I was at a red light, so I had plenty of time to read the billboard.

Name of the company?

Check.

Phone number?

Check.

Tag line?

Check.

They claimed to be experts at SEO and building web sites that will get you noticed.

Any guess as to what was missing from this billboard?

Their URL. Can you believe it?

I thought it was odd that an expert at SEO would be looking for clients with a billboard.

I mean, if you're so great at SEO, why aren't people who need you finding you online?

Or am I missing the point?

I guess it's good to have more than one method of reaching clients.

Just thought it was hilarious that they didn't even include their URL.

Jill
#billboard #designer or seo #expert #seo #today #town #web #web design
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  • Profile picture of the author designfuschion
    sounds like a waste of money.

    Of the thousands that would drive past,what percentage are truly going to need SEO or even understand what SEO is?
    LOL
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    • Profile picture of the author BlueStar
      Banned
      Originally Posted by designfuschion View Post

      sounds like a waste of money.

      Of the thousands that would drive past,what percentage are truly going to need SEO or even understand what SEO is?
      LOL

      Ditto.

      Traffic is not targeted, complete waste of money. What a shame.

      They should focus on helping business increase sales thru Marketing. Biz owners don't understand that a Website can make you real money, they think it's a Brochure. Trust me on this, I talk to biz owners every day.

      They are treating Websites like a Commodity, like an Ear of Corn.
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      • Profile picture of the author Nightengale
        Originally Posted by BlueStar View Post

        They should focus on helping business increase sales thru Marketing.
        Billboards ARE marketing. It's just the WRONG marketing in this case. :p

        You're right that it's not targeted. And yes, in this case, it's a COMPLETE waste of money.

        Michelle
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  • Profile picture of the author dvduval
    Originally Posted by Jillian Slack View Post

    They claimed to be experts at SEO and building web sites that will get you noticed.

    Any guess as to what was missing from this billboard?

    Their URL. Can you believe it?

    I thought it was odd that an expert at SEO would be looking for clients with a billboard.

    I mean, if you're so great at SEO, why aren't people who need you finding you online?
    I almost spilled my wine on that one!
    Wouldn't it be nice to give them a call and ask them about their website and its current pagerank and incoming link count.
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    • Profile picture of the author BlueStar
      Banned
      What's even more prevalent is trying to find Phone numbers on small biz sites.

      I've seen 100's of sites that have NO phone numbers for local mom and pop.
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  • Profile picture of the author JonesersRX7
    Why don't you call him/her and do a little reverse social engineering?

    - Do you have a website?
    - I didn't see it on the sign, was there a reason for that?
    - Do a lot of people call you off that silly sign?
    - Prices... Services...

    Of course don't make it seem like an interrogation and let the convo flow and pretend like you have no knowledge of the Net Mrktng/SEO.

    People are more likely to enter a telephone number in to their cell phone rather than find pen and paper and write down a website addy.

    EDIT: - And you guys are thinking like web sheeple. The average business owner does not even know how to find someone offering "esss eh oh" online, let alone what keywords to search for locally. Yes, as a whole it's not very targeted - but the people that do call are hot and will most likely be an easy sale.

    EDIT2: - When you say "billboard" are you talking about about road side signs commonly referred to "bandit signs" or a full on billboard offered by CBS, ClearChannel etc?
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Riddle
    I thinks that pretty interesting, but not all that surprising Missouri Neon will tell the sign buyer to NOT use a URL because they think it doesn't work.

    Mark Riddle
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  • Profile picture of the author Headfirst
    When you're online a URL is the most direct form of contact. If your looking at a billboard in traffic, a phone number _is_ the most direct contact method. Having a URL would make sense, but a phone number works better off of a billboard.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jillian Slack
      Originally Posted by Headfirst View Post

      When you're online a URL is the most direct form of contact. If your looking at a billboard in traffic, a phone number _is_ the most direct contact method. Having a URL would make sense, but a phone number works better off of a billboard.
      I must respectfully disagree.

      A good URL is easier to remember than random digits of a phone number.

      If I want to find info about a business, I don't call them. I look online. I take a stab at what I think their URL is. If that doesn't work, I Google them.
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      • Profile picture of the author JonesersRX7
        Originally Posted by Jillian Slack View Post

        I must respectfully disagree.

        A good URL is easier to remember than random digits of a phone number.

        If I want to find info about a business, I don't call them. I look online. I take a stab at what I think their URL is. If that doesn't work, I Google them.
        Again, that's you... not your average business owner who does not even know about SEO or that services such as yours exist. You are disagreeing with opinion over fact. Don't take that the wrong way... What I am saying is how do you know it does not work if you have yet to advertise your services this way?

        Do I think this is the best way to advertise your service, not at all. I am already a CoC, LeTip, BNI and Club-E member so I will go through my current contacts. But for someone who does not know one single business owner - first make sure you join local networking groups and then open up your phone book or google and start calling.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jesus Perez
      Completely agreed. I'm surprised others haven't seen the benefit to this yet.

      There are multiple reasons they probably did this:
      • Chances are, that phone number is unique and was purchased for the sole intent of the billboard. This allows them to track the success of the billboard. If you throw in a URL, you'll never know where the traffic came from. If you throw in a url like www.mywebsite.com/special, you're taking a big chance it will be forgotten by the time they pull out of traffic and find something to write with...which leads me to...
      • In traffic, most people don't have pencils/pens available to jot down the URL. But they will probably have a cell to save the number. Catchy numbers with "text' work great as well. I helped design a billboard for a client with a URL and catchy number like 800-WOW-BEDS. The phone number won hands down. I mean...hands down. Tons of calls...very few online visits.
      • Getting someone on the phone is priceless. If they call, you can talk to them...build a relationship...sell. With a URL, they visit, make assumptions and either leave/contact. I'll take a phone call over a website visit anyday.

      Originally Posted by Headfirst View Post

      When you're online a URL is the most direct form of contact. If your looking at a billboard in traffic, a phone number _is_ the most direct contact method. Having a URL would make sense, but a phone number works better off of a billboard.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
    Jillian (and others), you may be missing part of the point. They may be using the billboard because at least part of their prospect pool isn't looking for them online. But the company may plant a thought in thier head as they sit idly looking around at a stoplight.

    As far as remembering a URL or phone number, I'd have had both. Some people will remember a URL, while others will simply tap the number into their cell for later retrieval. Or even snap a photo of the billboard for later.

    For those talking about wasting money, how do you know? The company may have gotten a great deal on remnant billboard space, or obtained the space through a barter arrangement, or something. Without access to the data, we'll never know for sure.

    And even if the traffic going past the billboard is untargeted, how many leads might such a company need to make a positive ROI? Again, without access to their lifetime customer value, we'll never know if that billboard was a good investment or not.
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  • Profile picture of the author GoGetta
    It does work!!!! Its a great marketing idea. The fact is hardly any offline biz owners know what SEO even is, so they wouldn't be looking for an SEO company online. A billboard in the right place with the right message could drive many potential biz owners!

    Think about it?

    How many small biz owners are flying around through the day, tradesmen, cleaners, contractors, even lawyers, realtors and accountants. Most of these could need help online and have just not got around to it. Then driving into work and BAM, a sign with the right statement AND CALL TO ACTION!

    "Do You Need Your Website To Generate More Clients?"

    "Need A Website That Generates You More Leads?"

    This type of thing, obviously quick example!

    This would work and you would attract biz owners whom are currently pondering this!

    I would suggest a memorable domain name rather than a number but if the phone number is memorable then that would work. If the sign was at traffic lights then everyone has a cell phone, and punching a quick number in WHEN STOPPED or even jotting it on a pad wouldn't be much trouble!

    This would work because although it isn't super targeted, you are still putting your offer/service in front of potential customers every single day!

    Try It!

    GoGetta
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    • Profile picture of the author JonStein
      Originally Posted by GoGetta View Post

      It does work!!!! Its a great marketing idea. The fact is hardly any offline biz owners know what SEO even is, so they wouldn't be looking for an SEO company online. A billboard in the right place with the right message could drive many potential biz owners!
      I agree, this is the same marketing strategy we promote when we tell our clients 'Leave them wanting more!'

      The fact they left out the website address is indicative of their technique to garner the curious and force them to call, the same way we write an article and use our resource box to compel the reader to click.

      Since it is in the brick and mortar world, their resource box is the Phone Number, the only way you can get to them is through the phone number and once the customer calls, they have the sale half way made.

      This ideally is a brilliant strategy because the company will only receive targeted traffic from the calls received.

      Had they put the web address on the billboard, they would have to rely on the site to sell the customer instead of a real live person.

      Furthermore, the average business owner who does not have a presence on the web would gain nothing by visiting the website as they are most likely not educated in SEO, Serps, targeted traffic, etc, etc as we internet marketing junkies are.

      The only disadvantage I see to this marketing technique is that they are not able to track their visitors through Google analytics!
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  • Profile picture of the author chensta
    I've actually seen several of these around town here on telephone poles... (Sydney, Australia), I never saw anyone looking...
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  • Profile picture of the author Igor Kheifets
    Lol, if they are SEO experts,
    why would they need a bilboard?

    They have all the Internet Traffic available
    at their disposal.. hahha

    Igor
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  • Profile picture of the author n7 Studios
    If they're SEO experts, then why would they need to have a URL on their billboard ad - if they're as good as they say they are, you'll be able to search for them on the internet and easily find them

    Here in the UK I'm seeing this more and more on TV adverts - companies promoting a product or service, with the internet phrase being search "Samsung LED" instead of the web site URL.
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  • Profile picture of the author GoGetta
    Blue Squares I agree. As I mentioned above, I like this route to market! If done well, it will certainly generate results.

    I mean imagine as a biz owner seeing that sign over and over every morning, at some point you are going to get curious, even if not at first!

    GoGetta
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    • Profile picture of the author Jillian Slack
      Oh, how I love a lively debate!

      Now that I think about it, I'll agree that this billboard guy is trying to reach people who aren't web savvy so they don't know how to find him online.

      I still think it was silly to leave the URL off of the billboard.

      Why not have the phone number and the URL both?

      As for forcing people to call by leaving off the URL, wouldn't that mean he's missing out on sending people to the web site where they opt-in for a freebie report, which means he's just missed out on getting permission to market to them over and over?

      Guess we'd have to see his site to figure it out, but he didn't include his URL.

      OK, I just Googled this guy's business name and the name of my city and found him.

      He's got a pretty site with himself as one of those little walk-on videos, but NO OPT-IN BOX!

      So why in the world should I trust him to handle my SEO campaign when I know for a fact he's letting his OWN potential clients fall right through the cracks?

      Here's the weird part. He's done web sites for some well-known businesses here in town. His portfolio lists their logos but not their links. So I Googled a few to find their sites.

      Some have opt-in boxes above the fold, but no call to action.

      Some don't have opt-in boxes at all.

      Sure, some of that could be the preference of the client. Maybe billboard guy said, "Hey, you really need this" but the client still didn't understand its importance and refused, didn't want to pay for that service, didn't feel they could keep it up properly, etc.


      I still say if you're going to go after people with something as expensive as a billboard, give them your URL in addition to whatever is on the sign so they have more ways to find you.
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      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Originally Posted by healymedia View Post

        Sony.com, Coca-Cola.com, McDonalds.com, Dell.com

        Just a few examples of some of the most successful companies on earth and you may notice that none of them have opt-in boxes. In fact I'd be willing to stake money that if you were to look at the top 50 or 100 brands on earth, the vast majority wouldn't.
        So I guess whatever media company developed their websites must be pretty darned poor at SEO then. Either that or they use their websites in other ways.

        I think one thing people need to realize is that not all marketing is affiliate marketing and building a list by pounding people with opt-in forms isn't necessarily the best way to do it for all websites.

        1) Opt-in forms that stand out on a site make it look MUCH less professional. Personally, if I'm making an affiliate site where my main goal is to capture leads that I can send affiliate offers to, fine, prominent opt-in form. However, if I'm trying to promote my brand as a leader in an industry and exude professionalism, there isn't a chance in hell I'd put an opt in form on my front page, especially above the fold.

        2) There are plenty of chances to catch emails. I'm sure the guy in question has a quote form. His clients sites may have different ways of building a subscriber list. Or perhaps it simply isn't a huge priority for a local business. Remember, selling digital products, a big list is good because it doesn't matter where people are. For a local business, which most likely sell locally, having someone on your list in another state or country may be of little value to you, and as such, you'd rather build your subscribers locally. Is it worth it to clutter up your home page just to grab some emails you can get through local offers?

        3) Websites are built with different purposes in mind. Not everyone builds their site with the same goals you do when you put up the site for your new product launch or your next affiliate promotion.
        The biggest agencies on earth, who know exactly what they're doing, do plenty of work for companies that want to use their sites for purposes where an opt-in box on the front page would absolutely do nothing to further the goal of that site.

        The point is, anyone who is writing this guy off because he didn't put his url on his billboard or doesn't have an opt-in on his home page or his customers pages, doesn't actually know a thing about REAL marketing. Affiliate marketing and info product marketing? Sure. But those are a very small part of a much larger picture.

        Anyone who understands that much larger picture understands that:
        1) There really aren't any 'rules'.
        2) Some of the most successful campaigns ever launched were laughed at in the beginning because they'd 'never work'.
        3) 10 different demographics may react 10 different ways to the same ad.

        Maybe you're right and he made a mistake or doesn't know as much as his site or billboard would imply. But at the same time, for all we know, this guys billboard is bringing him in boatloads of business and his website and his clients' sites are performing exactly how they wanted them to.

        We don't have this guys research, we don't know who his existing customers are, we don't know what methods he's used to get customers in the past, etc. etc.

        Isn't the credo around here "test, test, test"? Why is that? Because what works once or for one person might not work again in a different situation.

        Anyone who says "X will not work because it is missing Y" as a blanket statement doesn't get marketing as a whole because marketing simply doesn't work that way.
        One of my wife's hobbies is entering online contests and sweepstakes. I can assure you that she is on multiple mailing lists for each of the companies you mentioned, as well as many more (as am I, thanks to her).

        These giant companies don't put opt-in boxes on their home pages because they are busily segmenting their lists by offer and source, using additional sites set up purely to run the promotion. And they often have multiple promotions running at the same time, so putting opt-in boxes on the front of the corporate site would be counterproductive.

        Before you give too much credit to the agencies developing these sites, realize that they have their own weaknesses. Things I've seen lately include:

        > Setting the site in white type on a dark background, then setting the opt-in form as dark type on a white background and forgetting to change the text default for filling in the form. The result is typing white text into a white text box.

        > Requiring some data to be in a special format without specifying the format. The result is trying to guess whether they want the phone area code in parentheses, separated by a space or a dash, all run together without punctuation, etc.

        > Designing entire sites in Flash, and adding components that require special plug-ins to use the site.

        > Not testing the database connection so that when you submit a form, all you ever get are database errors.

        Off that soap box...

        For those who still insist the company wasted its money, how do you know how much they paid, if anything.

        Back in my retail days, they shop I sold for ran billboards all over town and paid practically nothing. The owner had an arrangement with the owner of the billboard company. When someone else's ad expired, the billboard company would put up our store's ad for a token one-time fee. Our store's ad would remain until the billboard company rented the space again. Sometimes the ad would be there for a week or two, sometimes for months at a time.

        And they brought bodies into the store. The cost per "lead" was tiny compared to Yellow Pages, newspaper ads, radio or local tv, etc.
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          healymedia, in case you haven't noticed, I'm agreeing with you...

          There's a local seafood market that uses email very effectively. No website, hence no opt-in box. The emails are sent using the account given to the market or one of its owners by the local ISP.

          Their "opt-in box" is a bound, hardcover, paper and ink Guest Book next to the register. Last time I was there, I estimated a list of about 3,500.

          Once a week, one of the owners sends a chatty email listing the week's highlights along with a discount for subscribers. She adds some background on whatever fish they are featuring that week, plus a recipe or two. When one of the folks at the store deserves recognition, she adds that, too.

          Even in a down economy, in a seaside community where every grocery store has a fresh seafood case, this market is making out like a bandit even though the store is hidden in the middle of a strip mall.
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  • Profile picture of the author Stallion
    Maybe he's advertising for a specific type of person. There are people in this world that don't like websites, don't know anything and just like using the phone.

    Small business owners driving to work don't google all the problems and try to figure things out. And for a noobie business owner that knows nothing about websites, googling "how to get on the front page of google" isn't going to be that helpful.

    Picking up a phone and let someone else worry about it is much easier.
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  • Profile picture of the author MichaelHiles
    There's no rule against being a retard.
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    • Profile picture of the author BlueStar
      Banned
      Since I am a very experienced Marketer, not internet person I am going to set everyone straight

      The problem with IT people, SEO, PPC, Site design, etc... is that YOU don't know Marketing. You know how to Build stuff. Frank Kern is a student of Dan Kennedy, why do you thing Frank is successful? The top gurus know how to attract customers, magnetic marketing, people chase them, not the other way around. I have NEVER called a customer, they call me and I make them Jump thru hoops, not kidding. They have to complete a basic questionnaire before I will even say Hello.

      Every single client I get is TARGETED. People don't find me by accident. I charge big money for my services and I am very picky who I work with. Do you truly believe I would throw up a billboard (even if Free)?

      Billboard advertising is more for so-called Branding, which doesn't work for small co's with small budgets. Leave branding to Coca-Cola, IBM, Apple, etc...

      There are so many effective ways to get clients for SEO or Web Design.

      Listen carefully and you may take my advice and make big money:
      • Be creative, get their attention. Send sequenced mailers, no less than (6) A combination of Oversized postcards, 4 page long copy, and Lump Mail Lumpy Mail - Entire Product Line
      • Do some research and give them some ideas on how they are currently Optimized or what changes could be done to enhance their site. That's right, spend some time with their site and do some WORK for free and send them a Report via (FedEX, spend some money you tightwads).
      • Create a new site and give them a taste of what things could be like (puppy dog approach) if they went with your services. Get the name of the owner, his email, and send him info via his email address or FedEx.
      • Send the owner a Personal card and tell him you would like to take him out to lunch (his choice of restaurant) to give him some ideas about marketing his company more effectively. Tell him you will meet him at the restaurant and there will be no SELLING just Consulting. He can leave whenever he likes.
      • Send them a portfolio of your current customers, their sites, and their rankings (get permission from current customers first).
      • Do Lunch seminars and offer a great meal and a free report for attending. Limit the size of the crowd (scarcity mentality) they must reserve a seat. Then do a 1 hour presentation and have a booth or table after wards with your staff for any Q&A.
      • Talk and write about the "What and the Why" of using your services. How using your services will increase their sales and for every dollar Invested with you will return x factor (2-1, 4-1, whatever...)
      • I have a 100 more, this is what I cooked up in 2 minutes. I'm sure if I was doing SEO or sitework I could get creative.
      I can promise you my methods will Target business owners who have money, need my services, and I can definately increase their sales and revenue.
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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    using a phone number as the only method of response may
    seem dumb - but by offering only one choice it will likely
    have people calling from their cel-phones.

    These services will be sold through consultative selling, and,
    well, a guy on the phone is a bird in the hand. A website
    looky-loo is not.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brian W. Wang
    For any business, you want to tap into other pools of traffic out there. By having the billboard there, he's tapping into the offline pool. There are people out there who are looking for a web designer but they don't spend their time typing keywords into Google.

    This is very smart since this will allow him to attack multiple avenues at the same time, if he is already advertising through SEO.
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  • Profile picture of the author hangtimenino
    arent billboards expensive? he must have tons of money, to be able to afford a billboard.:-D
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  • Profile picture of the author ONOFFMarketing
    Billboard advertising is garbage for B2B services. You use billboards for frequency, to build a brand or to draw attention to your building.

    I certainly wouldn't pay them to do my marketing
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Riddle
    What many may be missing out, is the value of local billboards placed "In Town" even on major highways, these have great value to status for local retail and service companies.

    Another unique aspect of is that Springfield MO is an isolated test market.

    They are Market #76, Springfield MO determines many trends in both retailing and in broadcast media (Yes infomercials run there and if they don't break out, the projects are scrapped.)

    Combined viewer / listener hours tell an interesting story for the market.

    Paid programing and tour - (travel resort) programing accounts for more viewers / listeners than network programing.

    With Branson MO just down the road, (The Live Music Capital of the world - with more shows than Broadway) adds an interesting flavor too.

    There are more billboards per square mile in the Springfield - Branson area than anywhere else in the USA.

    That translates to bargain rates for outdoor advertising for local businesses.

    Missouri Neon, is consistently winning awards for creative advertising.

    If you see a billboard that is full motion color video, chances are it was developed and manufactured by a Springfield MO company.

    I would say keep an eye out on those billboards, because when it comes to outdoor advertising, there is no better test market than Springfield.

    Mark Riddle
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    Today isn't Yesterday, - Products are everywhere if your eyes are Tuned!
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    • Profile picture of the author Jillian Slack
      Yup, we've got tons of billboards here, even in the middle of town. And this city isn't THAT big. We're the third largest city in Missouri but still not anywhere near as large as KC and St. Louis.

      It's incredibly ugly to see huge billboards throughout town.

      Yes, Branson is right down the road and the highway used to have tons of billboards. Seems like there are fewer these days. At least we can see the beautiful countryside as we drive from here to Branson.

      Hey, we're not as well-known for being a test market for so many things. We're more famous for being the hometown of Brad Pitt.

      And Bob Barker went to college here. Recently unveiled Bob Barker Blvd. Come on down!

      Jill
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  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    Not sure why they missed the URL but billboards work pretty well if you ask me... Biggest problem to get a good one is the price - starting at 3K per month at a normal spot can kill your dreams fast...
    Signature
    People make good money selling to the rich. But the rich got rich selling to the masses.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
      Date of OP - 05-18-2009, 10:17 PM

      Get with it, people...:rolleyes:
      Signature
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
        Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

        Date of OP - 05-18-2009, 10:17 PM

        Get with it, people...:rolleyes:
        It's not even three years old yet. Heck, grade school sometimes feels like it was just a few years ago. Sigh.

        Then again, sometimes this forum is a lot like high school, so grade school feeling like it was just a few years ago makes sense.
        Signature

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        Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.
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      • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
        Originally Posted by Bill Farnham View Post

        Date of OP - 05-18-2009, 10:17 PM

        Get with it, people...:rolleyes:
        oh brother, I was sucked in again...lol
        :p
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    • Profile picture of the author TheWealthSquad
      It is always interesting to see comments on other people's marketing. In just about any thread you will find _______ doesn't work you need to do ____________

      Really doesn't matter what you put in there you can get a good discussion going on it.

      So should his URL be on the billboard? Even with many people having smart phones that are internet capable most small business owners will call before doing a search. (I work with a LOT of small business owners and the internet hasn't quite caught up with many of them). Now if he had a QR code on it you could laugh at him all day long.

      Should you have two contact avenues? It depends. If he is tracking his calls then the phone number is the best way to determine his ROI unless he gets a customer URL for the billboard.

      Since we don't know his cost it could have been a good testing ground for him. If you polled most business owners (non IM related) I bet the vast majority don't have a clue about SEO or any of the other items and they sure won't be searching for it online.

      Billboards can be effective but they have to be done right and with the right call to action. Sound familiar? Just like every other avenue we use to gain clients. They can all work if done correctly.
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      • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
        I think it's brilliant. And I'm pretty sure a web designer who has the $ to get a billboard, has the cash flow for other marketing strategies. - ok, I'm guessing. But think about it?

        It's all about getting noticed. Not having the URL on the sign is ok, imho. The designer wants the prospect to pick up their smart phones and call!

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  • Profile picture of the author Lori Kelly
    Bill, I was thinking the same thing. I have seen a lot of old posts being resurrected.... ?
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  • Profile picture of the author Cataclysm1987
    I would be interested in seeing the ROI, if there is any.
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  • Profile picture of the author Stoner47
    Smart Man I like the way he markets..
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  • Profile picture of the author arranrice
    Did they not even have a number or a QR code? Thats strange.. Maybe it was the printing companies fault..
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  • Profile picture of the author celente
    Originally Posted by Jillian Slack View Post

    Just thought it was hilarious that they didn't even include their URL.

    Jill
    WOW, that is just plain silly. Isn't that like the most important part LOL
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  • Profile picture of the author keivn2
    Now that is hilarious. How can they forgot or didn't add their URL? I am pretty sure that URL is the most important element for SEO business.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Wow... lol that's incredible. I dont know much about billboard advertising but at least some form of contact information should be on there. Heck, they could've probably designed their billboard in a similar way that they designed their business cards (if they have any).
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  • Profile picture of the author Usmile
    what's the point of advertising outside if they have enough exposure online? I'm in doubt if they are really an expert or maybe it is just some sort of their marketing strategy, exposing themselves outside to make people crave for them
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  • Profile picture of the author ShayB
    What is the target audience?

    If they want to attract people who are Internet-savvy and comfortable with a Google search, then this isn't the best way to reach them.

    If they are trying to reach average biz owners that aren't comfortable with using the Web, then having a billboard that those biz owners pass by twice a day (going to work and then going home) can be the perfect way to reach them.

    Think about it - how often do you ONLY pass by a billboard in your local area once?

    I also would imagine that the billboard is also coupled with SEO, PPC and other advertising.

    As far as the website - I know I rarely remember/write down websites when I drive past. A phone number? That I can put in my phone easily and quickly.

    Don't laugh at "old-school" methods. They can still be a very effective part of any marketing campaign.
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  • Profile picture of the author JerrickYeoh
    Do there place their QR code ? so they will get referral traffic and not direct traffic with place their URL on the billboard.
    But quite surprise that SEO company using offline to promote.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bill Farnham
      Originally Posted by JerrickYeoh View Post

      Do there place their QR code ?
      This thread is from 2009...who was using QR codes back then...answer - almost nobody.

      ~Bill
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  • Profile picture of the author Ryan David
    Yeah, I would agree Shay. They probably should've put the website on there, but likely not a huge deal that they didn't. Realistically, they probably don't need that many clients to pay back the cost of the billboard. I have called some local businesses after passing those things for a few weeks.
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