How much are businesses paying for yellowbook sites?

92 replies
Does anyone know how much businesses are paying for these simple 1 page sites that they get from yellowbook?

Here is an example: Roofing Contractor Hamilton Township, OH - Ryan's Remodeling

They all look pretty much the same and they have a domain name for a re-direct.

I assume these sites are included as part of yellowbook advertising package.

Does anyone know the details of how it all works and how much it costs?

Thanks.
#businesses #paying #sites #yellowbook
  • Profile picture of the author Kevin AKA Hubcap
    I know of a sure way to find out.

    Call YB and ask.
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    • Profile picture of the author Russell Hall
      Originally Posted by mgtarheels View Post

      Last I checked, $79/mo I believe.
      OMG,.. $79 a month for THAT!.... unbelievable.

      Complete, total and utter trash!

      (and would you like to know how I really feel about it?)

      Should make selling these guys an alternative pretty dang easy!

      Cheers,

      Russell
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      • Profile picture of the author seomoney
        Originally Posted by Russell Hall View Post

        OMG,.. $79 a month for THAT!.... unbelievable.

        Complete, total and utter trash!

        (and would you like to know how I really feel about it?)

        Should make selling these guys an alternative pretty dang easy!

        Cheers,

        Russell
        Just shows you how much customers are willing pay. Customers want to give you their money. Just ask. You will be surprised at how much money you can make.
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        • Profile picture of the author mackyinc
          Yes the yellow book is a good source for leads. You can show them how their site looks just like or very similar to most of the sites in their category. Then show them an example of what you can offer for that price. I mean they paying $948 a year to rent a very poor quality site. Yellowbook can be a great sales tool
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  • Profile picture of the author marxed78
    I found a site by the name Worldadslist dot com. It's a B2B & B2C e-Marketplace, also an Online Advertising provider. They have a good package to offer especially for new businesses, you can find the package by clicking on the 'Membership' link on the main page. Have a look at the site by visiting the address provided. Thank you.
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  • Profile picture of the author mmoconnor
    $79 blows me away. I had no idea you could get people to pay so much for so little!

    This should be an easy way to scoop up money by the handful: Just type this into google:

    "Yellow Book USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved" "XXX-" where XXX is your local area code.

    Now you have a list of hot local leads who are currently paying $79 every month for a crap one page website.
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    http://MargaretFlanigan.com

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    • Profile picture of the author seomoney
      Originally Posted by mmoconnor View Post

      $79 blows me away. I had no idea you could get people to pay so much for so little!

      This should be an easy way to scoop up money by the handful: Just type this into google:

      "Yellow Book USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved" "XXX-" where XXX is your local area code.

      Now you have a list of hot local leads who are currently paying $79 every month for a crap one page website.
      NEVER charge less than $79 monthly. Upgrade their website and charge $###.## monthly for a 1 page website..
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnA
    I am intrigued by this discussion....

    The website looks pretty rudimentary to those that are very internet and tech savvy,,,but to mom & pop plumber--who never had a 'web presence' before- it might look great!

    if it is making their phone ring --they likely don't care if it is fancy or plain Jane!

    I am new around here.. but I have been at yellow pages( I am old so I used to sell the paper version!!--you know--the actual "book") ...When i was leaving that temporary post in life, the web page option was just entering the marketplace...and I am pretty sure that the total cost per year is more than $79/mo!!!

    Also, I sold AdzZoo for a year and their program is definitely higher! than $79 / mo-- I think the smallest plan starts at~ $125/mo (for VERY small target area) and goes pretty HIGH for a 50 Mile radius! (please don't hold me to the exact amounts..but the concept is that other services are probably charging more than we think they shoul..

    hope this helps!?
    JohnA
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  • Profile picture of the author Voasi
    If no one knows this, I'll just call, but does the $79 include a video too, like the one that's on that website?

    If so, $79/mo is pretty cheap...
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Grant
      Originally Posted by Voasi View Post

      If no one knows this, I'll just call, but does the $79 include a video too, like the one that's on that website?

      If so, $79/mo is pretty cheap...
      I think it's an upsell, but they do receive a listing in the book itself.
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      • Profile picture of the author Will Perkins
        Originally Posted by mgtarheels View Post

        I think it's an upsell, but they do receive a listing in the book itself.
        It's no longer $79/month. They raised the price to $129.00/month and up-sells are all almost doubled. If you want any type of on-page SEO (meta tags, pretty much it) then that's $199.00 a month.

        You can also upgrade to the $999.99 a month package for something I'd probably charge $200.00/month for, which is SUPER basic seo....


        It's sad, but most businesses fall for it because of the name.
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        • Profile picture of the author Mike Grant
          Originally Posted by Will Perkins View Post

          It's no longer $79/month. They raised the price to $129.00/month and up-sells are all almost doubled. If you want any type of on-page SEO (meta tags, pretty much it) then that's $199.00 a month.

          You can also upgrade to the $999.99 a month package for something I'd probably charge $200.00/month for, which is SUPER basic seo....


          It's sad, but most businesses fall for it because of the name.
          Well, hot damn.

          Wonder if those prices are specific to Tampa, or if they're national.
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        • Profile picture of the author FreeBird85
          Wow that is unbelievable pricing.

          Will, do you know if they offer a free version or is every company that is using Yellow Book paying minimum $129/mo? Sorry if that was already answered. I see HUGE opportunity here
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          • Profile picture of the author thehypnoguy
            Originally Posted by FreeBird85 View Post

            Wow that is unbelievable pricing.

            Will, do you know if they offer a free version or is every company that is using Yellow Book paying minimum $129/mo? Sorry if that was already answered. I see HUGE opportunity here
            Pick up any Yellowbook and look through it. You will find a ton of businesses that they are still working on to get as a customer. Every business that you see with a plain line entry is a not paying customer. The Yellowbook lists every business in there book just like the regular Yellow Pages. They start paying something when their listing is bolding, they put a box around it or they have a display ad. You can see an ocean of prospects that are staring you in the face that haven't bought. If you can figure out what Yellowbook hasn't you can land that ocean of untaken as your clients. Of course, it is much better to go after the ones that are already spending

            Just remember that those websites are being sold by the same order takers that sell the yellow pages ads. They didn't hire out to sell websites and many are put off by the fact that it is expected of them. They don't have any special training and know way less than the greenest newbies on this forum. From looking at the source code of those websites they create for their customers, it is clear the page builders have no special training either.

            If you really want to compete with them, go after products that businesses want but aren't getting from the yellowbook. I'm concentrating on Fan Pages since you can build a whole presence there and they really don't need a website per se anymore.

            Martin Blakley
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            • Profile picture of the author keldog
              Spoke with a jeweler here in town just a couple days ago (cold walk-in) says he wishes I was there a few months ago before he signed up with yellow book.

              He is paying $205.00 per month; 5 pages including home, jewelry repair, jewelry sales, contact and custom made jewelry. No video. Looks a little better than most I've seen, still pretty basic, ugly really. $2,460.00 a year! Ouch. Then what? He can buy the url from them (I think) and start over with a new website. $2,500 down the tubes. Ouch again.

              He says "they made it sound so good" and "I get no personal service". He also wants me to come back in a few months because he may want to "switch" to me. He seemed very disappointed with his current situation. Maybe I can help him.

              One of his first questions was "how much is hosting per month". This seems how they sell the package, on monthly "hosting" cost. Makes it sound better I guess.

              I was going to quote him $699.00 for a site (never got to it) but did tell him there would be no monthly hosting and that got his attention. Not sure how he might have responded to the 699. Far less than what he is paying now though and he owns it outright.

              Think I'll build him a demo this week and see what happens.

              I did a search for jeweler+city and jewelry+city and of course he shows up nowhere in the first 5 pages. He does however show up for "goldsmith+city". Population about 20k, and a few other small towns connecting. About 45k total in this area. If that makes any difference.

              FYI, he has goldsmith in the business name, not jeweler or jewelery. On the YB site as I mentioned, it's all bout jewelery, which he is trying to push (and rank for?), not goldsmithing, per se.

              In fact did a search for most of his bullet points, eg: custom wedding rings, etc, guess what? No rankings whatsoever.

              Explained to him how important it is to be found for certain search terms and that made him pay attention, quick. This was before I knew how dismal his search rankings were (this was a random drop in).

              Told him that YB and others don't really care and he agreed. Luckily upon researching, what I told him seems to be true, he is not being found for what should be his keywords.

              On a side note: I also found a plumber here in town who purchased one of the yb sites. Again, no show on first five pages for plumber+city. And to top it off the video he paid for is not working (still). Found it 2 weeks ago, think I'll let him know about that. See what happens!
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  • Profile picture of the author FreeBird85
    Also, who owns the domains? Yellowbook or the business owners? Anybody know?
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    • Profile picture of the author Kevin AKA Hubcap
      One things for sure. Yellow Book is printing money.

      Did anyone notice the site favicons?? They're YB.

      And the call out at the end of the video. Not to the advertiser but to YB.

      The sites are very basic but as John mentioned above they might look like gold to those not as web savvy.

      Seems to me a bit of educating these prospects would go along way.

      Also, go check out Yellow Book's services provided page.

      I'd like your opinions.
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      • I did a whois search, and yellowbook owns the domain, not the customer! Also, i read on the yellowbook site that the customer has to stay with them for at least 4 months before they can cancel, which is not bad for those wanting to capitalize on these business and offer them more for their money! Problem i see is, how to approach them, I mean , yellowbook owns their domain, how can we get around the fact that the domain that they have been used to will no longer be, I did a domain search and for the most part .net or .org is available for the business, but how will they feel about that! The opportunity is there on capitalizing on this, but i just cant figure it out completely how to convince the business owner, Do we cold call them, or email them?
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        • Profile picture of the author mojo1
          Originally Posted by exmark05@yahoo.com View Post

          I did a whois search, and yellowbook owns the domain, not the customer! Also, i read on the yellowbook site that the customer has to stay with them for at least 4 months before they can cancel, which is not bad for those wanting to capitalize on these business and offer them more for their money! Problem i see is, how to approach them, I mean , yellowbook owns their domain, how can we get around the fact that the domain that they have been used to will no longer be, I did a domain search and for the most part .net or .org is available for the business, but how will they feel about that! The opportunity is there on capitalizing on this, but i just cant figure it out completely how to convince the business owner, Do we cold call them, or email them?
          This information is golden. I would think a nice direct mail letter with your new findings would be met with lots of interest.
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      • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
        Originally Posted by Kevin AKA Hubcap View Post

        One things for sure. Yellow Book is printing money.

        Did anyone notice the site favicons?? They're YB.

        And the call out at the end of the video. Not to the advertiser but to YB.

        The sites are very basic but as John mentioned above they might look like gold to those not as web savvy.

        Seems to me a bit of educating these prospects would go along way.

        Also, go check out Yellow Book's services provided page.

        I'd like your opinions.

        this is how we make a lot of our money,

        check out my sig if you want to see how we use yellow book
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        Selling Ain't for Sissies!
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  • Profile picture of the author shawnram
    Not everyone is looking at yellow books now a days, $79 is too much.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tiduslite8
    One thing I noticed is that the majority of the YP sites don't have keywords embedded.

    We all know how to check for those. Just right click on the site, select view page source, and then look for the keywords.

    Keywords are one of the things we all would help our customers with.
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  • Profile picture of the author FreeBird85
    That 4 month thing isn't too hard to get around. Like mmoconnor said above you can do a search to see who's using yellowbook sites.

    "Yellow Book USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved"

    If you want to see who's been there a while, just add the year before it.

    "2010 Yellow Book USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved" "XXX-"
    "2009 Yellow Book USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved" "XXX-"

    You get the idea, even those ones that are dated 2010, if they bought in December their 4 months is about up and you can find out when the domain was registered and how old the site is with a WHOIS search.
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    • Originally Posted by FreeBird85 View Post

      That 4 month thing isn't too hard to get around. Like mmoconnor said above you can do a search to see who's using yellowbook sites.

      "Yellow Book USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved"

      If you want to see who's been there a while, just add the year before it.

      "2010 Yellow Book USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved" "XXX-"
      "2009 Yellow Book USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved" "XXX-"

      You get the idea, even those ones that are dated 2010, if they bought in December their 4 months is about up and you can find out when the domain was registered and how old the site is with a WHOIS search.
      I understand all of this! That is not the problem , what I was stating or asking is how do we present it to them so that will want to do biz with you or I , they aren't goin to keep the same domain since YB owns it! So how is it going to be beneficial for them to switch!
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  • Profile picture of the author GeorgeO7
    I did a whois lookup on a YP site and then a reverse IP lookup.

    160,075 other domains all share the same IP.
    x129.00 per month
    --------------------------------
    $20,649,675 Monthly Recurring Income
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  • Profile picture of the author FreeBird85
    lol I need to get me a piece of that pie.
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    • Profile picture of the author ryanmckinney
      Originally Posted by FreeBird85 View Post

      lol I need to get me a piece of that pie.

      It's why I target these businesses for my services.

      Ryan
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  • Profile picture of the author FreeBird85
    I did run across something interesting while browsing around.

    Auto Repair Chicago, IL - Grand Auto Center 312-226-1500

    Auto Body Repair Shop in Chicago* |* Collision Repair* |* Mechanical Repair* |* Auto Body Painting

    Same company, two different websites. Are they paying for two different websites? What sense does this make?
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  • Profile picture of the author GeorgeO7
    The flash site rates an 11 on Website Grader.
    The YP site rates a 12.

    In other words... both sites are doing absolutely NOTHING for this business owner.

    Both sites expire in in 4 months or less... Go gettem' Tiger! This business needs your help!
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  • Profile picture of the author FreeBird85
    Well I don't live in Chicago, but where I do live there's over 20k businesses using yellowbbook websites, i'll be looking into this over the weekend. I smell a gold mine
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    • Profile picture of the author mmoconnor
      Originally Posted by FreeBird85 View Post

      Well I don't live in Chicago, but where I do live there's over 20k businesses using yellowbbook websites, i'll be looking into this over the weekend. I smell a gold mine
      Yeah, when I started noticing these sites I thought it might be a real motherlode; I was just afraid that businesses might be paying $2 a month (you know - what they are actually worth) for them.

      Personally I think that visiting the businesses in person is the way to do this. That's why I was so excited about being able to search by area code.

      I have a feeling that any business that has a yellowbook account gets a ton of advertiser spam and might be very resistant to anything other than face-to-face.
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      http://MargaretFlanigan.com

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  • Profile picture of the author goingup
    Look in this forum for The Bower Method (by John Durham) which includes a script which mentions yellowbook pricing as part of the call. But you are not calling people who already have a YB site, though you could.
    Signature

    Only dead fish go with the flow.

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  • Profile picture of the author FreeBird85
    I'd like to know where everybody is getting their prices at that are posted in this thread. I just called yellowbook, and here's what they told me:

    We cannot give you prices over the phone, prices depend on industry and how many pages you want.

    I was transferred to 3 different people and when I asked to be transferred to sales they said unfortunately we can't because they are out in the field with the customers but we can have someone call you back and discuss it with you. I said forget it. Anyways, the very first lady I spoke to did tell me for a 1 page site it's $39/month but there's an upgrade to a 3 page site but didn't have any more information than that. She had no further pricing.

    Interesting. There's a big difference between $129/mo and $39/mo.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Grant
      Originally Posted by FreeBird85 View Post

      I'd like to know where everybody is getting their prices at that are posted in this thread. I just called yellowbook, and here's what they told me:

      We cannot give you prices over the phone, prices depend on industry and how many pages you want.

      I was transferred to 3 different people and when I asked to be transferred to sales they said unfortunately we can't because they are out in the field with the customers but we can have someone call you back and discuss it with you. I said forget it. Anyways, the very first lady I spoke to did tell me for a 1 page site it's $39/month but there's an upgrade to a 3 page site but didn't have any more information than that. She had no further pricing.

      Interesting. There's a big difference between $129/mo and $39/mo.
      There's also a big difference between 1 page, 3 page, and 5 page sites. Having a commercial of theirs, having local SEO, and general SEO, as well. Tons of factors. $39/mo for a 1 page includes absolutely nothing.
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      • This thread has went by the wayside a little, So... is there anyone capitalizing in on these prospects, and if so how are you going about it?

        How are you approaching them and what angle are you using so that they see value in going with you as a service provider for them?
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    • Profile picture of the author dgridley
      "because they are out in the field" = I'm just here answering the phone and reading from a script. I cannot give you that information because sales will return your call and attempt to upsell you anyway.

      GEO domains and niche sites are potentially huge moneymakers.. people who sell web services online often overlook selling hosting and web services locally which can be an easier sell by far.

      Originally Posted by FreeBird85 View Post

      I'd like to know where everybody is getting their prices at that are posted in this thread. I just called yellowbook, and here's what they told me:

      We cannot give you prices over the phone, prices depend on industry and how many pages you want.

      I was transferred to 3 different people and when I asked to be transferred to sales they said unfortunately we can't because they are out in the field with the customers but we can have someone call you back and discuss it with you. I said forget it. Anyways, the very first lady I spoke to did tell me for a 1 page site it's $39/month but there's an upgrade to a 3 page site but didn't have any more information than that. She had no further pricing.

      Interesting. There's a big difference between $129/mo and $39/mo.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nutria
    They also offer packages, for example i was offered a special of $59 p/month. Yellowbook ad, yb.com listing and 5-page web. It also included unlimited changes or updates to your site. Was just starting so it was a good deal. They own the domain but after the year contract you can buy your domain from them. Which is what im gonna do. Already started to work on a new site and then will transfer to domain.

    By any chance how can i check what software they using to build them?
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    • Profile picture of the author jeffrey73
      $39, $59, $79 or even $120 is pretty cheap considering it's backed by the long-time credibility of the YellowPages. I think some people may have forgotten the brand that they have built themselves over a long period of time. Business owners, and people in general, trust that name alone.

      Sure, they overcharge and probably don't get as good results as they claim. But that's the way they've always done things!
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Clough
        Originally Posted by jeffrey73 View Post

        $39, $59, $79 or even $120 is pretty cheap considering it's backed by the long-time credibility of the YellowPages. I think some people may have forgotten the brand that they have built themselves over a long period of time. Business owners, and people in general, trust that name alone.

        Sure, they overcharge and probably don't get as good results as they claim. But that's the way they've always done things!
        Yup...that Brand has been around FOREVER ! So now it's up to who ever is reading this thread to go out and sell against them!

        The only issue is that many baby-boomers (the majority of the US population) still believe in the Brand! And they also believe in Coke, M&Ms and Budweiser

        So, do your homework....there's a lot of money to be made out there!
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  • Profile picture of the author rooban
    What would be the best price to buy a five page lovely looking website with free domain, hosting, video ad, mobile compatible site, facebook page and many more.. ?
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  • Profile picture of the author los s
    i know many pay 300-500 month for larger space
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Solem
    Most of these guys would be great prospects for mobile sites - does anyone know if the YP makes it easy for business owners to get in and access their one page websites so a redirect could be inserted?
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    • Profile picture of the author zimbizee
      Originally Posted by Steve Solem View Post

      Most of these guys would be great prospects for mobile sites - does anyone know if the YP makes it easy for business owners to get in and access their one page websites so a redirect could be inserted?
      I'd be very interested to know the answer to the above as well.
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      • Profile picture of the author prodigy1290
        How easy is it to find local potential clients that have these yellow-book websites? advice for finding them...
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        • Profile picture of the author ryanmckinney
          Originally Posted by prodigy1290 View Post

          How easy is it to find local potential clients that have these yellow-book websites? advice for finding them...

          Go to the site, type in the niche and location -

          See who is paying to advertise -

          Find owner names on Manta -

          Send a letter

          Ryan
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          • Profile picture of the author daveinva
            Originally Posted by ryanmckinney View Post

            Go to the site, type in the niche and location -

            See who is paying to advertise -

            Find owner names on Manta -

            Send a letter

            Ryan
            Hey Ryan:

            Wish I could PM you. I sent you the Skype request to hook up with you. This is the followup from my post about 'virtual selling'.
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            • Profile picture of the author ryanmckinney
              Originally Posted by daveinva View Post

              Hey Ryan:

              Wish I could PM you. I sent you the Skype request to hook up with you. This is the followup from my post about 'virtual selling'.

              I'll be on skype this evening and accept it.

              Ryan
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              • Profile picture of the author prodigy1290
                interesting...

                can these business cancel there membership with YB easily if they were interested in my package??? possible? thanks.
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        • Profile picture of the author Steve Solem
          Originally Posted by prodigy1290 View Post

          How easy is it to find local potential clients that have these yellow-book websites? advice for finding them...
          Look up a few posts for what I think is the best way...


          Originally Posted by mmoconnor View Post

          $79 blows me away. I had no idea you could get people to pay so much for so little!

          This should be an easy way to scoop up money by the handful: Just type this into google:

          "Yellow Book USA, Inc. All Rights Reserved" "XXX-" where XXX is your local area code.

          Now you have a list of hot local leads who are currently paying $79 every month for a crap one page website.
          If you're not a fan of cold calling, I don't see many contact forms or email addresses listed on most of these YP sites, but do that same search above with the word "facebook" included and you'll quickly find plenty of sites that link to their FB account and you can contact them through FB then.
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  • Profile picture of the author los s
    its crazy how many companies still are blind to online and what it can do for their biz
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  • Profile picture of the author jsavage234
    Hi, I work for yellow book, let me set the record straight For a "starter package" which includes a 1" ad in the book ad on yellowbook.com, webpage and a call tracking phone number the price range is $39.00mo - $100.mo depending on how many books are distributed. We optimize your service and location, ie: "florist cleveland,ohio". Alot of my customers are found on the on the first page of google, yahoo & bing, tho we can not guarantee it because that is a seperate service and there is a fee. You will know how many impresions and the clicks you recieve. We buy the url for you initially for 1 year, but if you do not renew with us, the domain name becomes available for you to purchase.
    5 & 10 page sites with the "Bundles" starting at about $70.00 mo, and that rate includes pretty much unlimited changes, That alone is a huge savings. Our webreach division provides pay per click and search engine optimization programs.
    Hope that provides the info you were looking for.
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  • Profile picture of the author theaer
    Wow, great information... thanks for 'setting the record straight'.
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  • Profile picture of the author defaultuser
    The one reply from Yellow Book was laughable at best.

    Good thing this doesn't show up on the first page of Google for "cost of yellowbook", or "cost of yellow book".

    The favicon was my favorite. It's pretty sad to see a company sap SEO from a client without them knowing. But it doesn't stop there.

    There are very few links going to the clients 'website', (if that's what you want to call it) most of the time any real link building efforts direct to the listing page of the Yellow Pages website. (even linking campaigns clients pay extra for)

    The name Yellow Book is what got people to buy in the first place, but the reality is that the only thing these clients are paying a monthly fee for, is a nice looking flyer. The only real online exposure anyone is getting is Yellow Book.

    And the video you get? You don't get the actual video file for 12 months....

    ???

    Yellowbook - Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use my video elsewhere?

    Upon request, a link of your completed video will be provided so you can place it on your business website. The video will continue to be hosted by yellowbook.com in your premium ad.


    At the end of the twelve-month contract, you will obtain ownership of the finished video. Such ownership includes a royalty free license to the video background music (solely for use in the video).



    However, Yellowbook will retain a permanent license of the video. This license will permit Yellowbook's use of all, or a portion, of the video in its business.



    There will be additional charges for an encoded copy of the video or uncompressed high-quality copy of the video.
    Does this video go anywhere else? Yes! Yellow Book's YouTube channel. Even from the YouTube watch page, the traffic doesn't direct to the 'website' built for the client, but Yellow Books listing.

    And let's not forget Yellow Books watermark sits obnoxiously in the bottom left corner of the video.

    Why does the client have to wait a year to buy the domain? If it's their business, they should be able to poses the domain as soon as they want. Nothing is stopping that from happening.

    Client pays Yellow Book to build Yellow Books brand.

    There is no real value here.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    I have one sentence for you "Directory sites work".

    The example given here looks atrocious... but thousands of owners are happy with them. Tens of thousands if not HUNDREDS of thousands of people pay $79 per month for this, yet it goes against all of the "theory" of what you have to be able to produce in order to sell around here.

    This looks worse than most free template programs out there yet they sell hundreds per day...

    You could do alot better on one page than YP has done for their customers here, even with a free web builder.

    So anyway, anyone who says template based , one page directory sites dont sell in 2012 needs to check out YP and check themselves.

    While you are saying "its not realistic in 2012" YP will realistically sell hundreds of these tomorrow and every day next week, next month and next year...day in and day out. No matter who says its outdated or crude... or non workable in 2012 because "The public is too educated and the market is too saturated with these type offers..."

    Whatever. Sigh...

    Watch a few more seasons of this lifetime reality show called "sales" and see if your perspective doesnt open up.
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  • Profile picture of the author defaultuser
    I don't doubt that many are sold. Hard to argue with some of the numbers being thrown around.

    My point is that people seem to be giving up a lot just to get a cheap website that provides no more sales in the long run than a Facebook page, a YouTube video, or simply an end user verbally asking their i-phone where the closest dentist is.

    The Yellow Book FAQ section is filled with many more stipulations similar to my previous post basically stating that Yellow Book owns everything first, and then, after what looks like a one year contract is complete, the client owns it.

    This sounds like a great way to make sure your client keeps paying you.

    Pay your monthly fee, or we cut you off from online exposure.

    If there is a disagreement, the client has zero leverage.

    In the meantime Yellow Book can always auction -tustin-family-dentistry.com- to someone else since Yellow Book owns the domain in the first place.

    If you want to talk about a local business getting found when an end user searches for a specific geographic location + profession, Google Places already has that covered, and the client doesn't have to pay for that.

    I don't see it as a very wise long term strategy. Yellow Book is just dragging their own name in the mud now.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by defaultuser View Post

      Google Places already has that covered, and the client doesn't have to pay for that.
      Yet still warriors sell google places listings for $1500 per pop every day of the week. Do you also buy into the myth that just because websites can be built for free, you cant sell them, or that no one has any reason to pay designers?

      Originally Posted by defaultuser View Post

      I don't see it as a very wise long term strategy. Yellow Book is just dragging their own name in the mud now.
      If people arent predicting your demise, you arent trying hard enough.
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  • Profile picture of the author AussieT
    Anyone know of any Aussiet companies who are doing the same as Yellowbook?
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    • Profile picture of the author David Neale
      This is a brilliant model in my view and one very hard to compete with (but not impossible). I smell a WSO somewhere down the road once somebody has set a few up and made a few sales. Very innovative for such a large company.
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      David Neale

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  • Profile picture of the author Angel Anderson
    I call to put an ad for a new reputation management company in Las Vegas and they ask me for 17k for 1 year
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    The Strategy Specialist Helping You Achieve Your Goals Via Training And Support contact me via http://www.angelanderson.com
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  • Profile picture of the author defaultuser
    I don't think it's smart to allow any company but my own to control the website domain and marketing materials of my local business.

    Just because there are lots of people who allow it to happen doesn't mean it makes good business sense.

    When I looked at the OP, I was researching the cost of YP ads as well.


    Does anyone know how much businesses are paying for these simple 1 page sites that they get from yellowbook?

    Here is an example: Roofing Contractor Hamilton Township, OH - Ryan's Remodeling

    They all look pretty much the same and they have a domain name for a re-direct.

    I assume these sites are included as part of yellowbook advertising package.

    Does anyone know the details of how it all works and how much it costs?

    Thanks.
    As I dug further into this post and then YP.com, I realized there are practices I disagree with, and have a hard time seeing value in YP.coms services.

    I felt what I researched was important to consider. Especially since it sounds like there are quite a few people here who could offer marketing services better than YP.com.

    I only mention Google Places because no matter how much YP.com, or any other listing site fights to get to the top of a local search, Google Places will automatically be higher than any other site because... it's owned by Google.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by defaultuser View Post


      I only mention Google Places because no matter how much YP.com, or any other listing site fights to get to the top of a local search, Google Places will automatically be higher than any other site because... it's owned by Google.

      So a good answer may be to create highly optmized google places listings for each website customer for free...! I know some people wont like to hear me giving this advice, but as simple as it is, even though you COULD charge big for it, you also gain customer loyalty by taking 20 minutes and just throwing it in the deal...Next time someone comes to your customer selling google places for $1000 you are gonna look like the best web guy anybody ever had.

      Heck maybe even add a free mobile version of their site "just for letting us earn your business".

      It only takes 120 seconds to get their mobile version up at dudamobile.com...

      There are lots of ways to add value, we are talking about the basic structure here... but add value in every way you can think of.

      To add a google listing and a mobile version to their site BOTH only takes 20 -30 minutes, its worth it to have a $1200 per year customer; one who stays because you were good to him and gave him a free mobile site and places listing with his web page.

      Thats value. You can make your package thud any way you want to, or add as much value for the customer as your cost/profit model can handle.

      If every single customer took you an hour to do... its worth it. Get two $97 dollar sales per day for only 20 days per month, and you are a millionaire in a year. But if you only did a third of that and sold 3 per week...you would be well beyond six figures in residuals within a year.

      Sure they can do it themselves, and sure they can get it done for $100...but even the ones who pay $1500 are getting a good deal on seo if your customizations to their listing increases their rankings.

      There's $1500 worth of value by most SEO peoples standards, they would even charge them $500 per month to "maintain" the listing.

      So with SEO people selling FREE google listings at $1500 per pop all around us, that the prospect already owns...and calling it "SEO"...and even charging hundreds per month for doing virtually NOTHING to maintain the listings...(whatever thatv means) then, I certainly think you could offer a better deal than many marketers here, by only providing a decent webtemplate and a halfway researched google places listing.

      Alot of the guys who wear the title SEO these days arent doing anything but customizing google listings for people which are easy to rank in medium sized towns.

      To take a "moral" stance on this business model is to be a rebel without a cause... because the world LOVES directory sites and they dont have any issues with them...even if many marketing consultants dont love directory sites, and DO have issues with them.

      Note:

      Now the same people who say the offer wasnt valuable enough to the customer before will say its TOO valuable now. We dont care about customers "that" much... :rolleyes:

      Funny how selective we can be about our moral stances.
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  • Profile picture of the author defaultuser
    You really like directory sites.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by defaultuser View Post

      You really like directory sites.
      Well when you have sold 19,000 listings on one within a years time, and co-built a 50 million dollar business based on the concept, that later sold to prodigy for over 800 million dollars (all of this has been verified by past WF skeptics BTW) ultimately handing them over 80,000 web directory customers built up in less than 3-4 years...all paying $24.95 per month for a one page template... it kinda makes you a believer.

      Yeah Im pretty passionate about the concept. lol
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      • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
        Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

        Well when you have sold 19,000 listings on one within a hyears time, and co-built a 50 million dollar business based on the concept, that later sold to prodigy for over 800 million dollars (all of this has been verified by past WF skeptics BTW) ultimately handing them over 80,000 web directory customers built up in less than 3-4 years...all paying $24.95 per month for a one page template... it kinda makes you a believer.

        Yeah Im pretty passionate about the concept. lol
        I wish I had you around to train me when I first started. I've heard about your success a lot, but didn't know it sold for 800 mill... WOW.
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      • Profile picture of the author rambo9600
        Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

        Well when you have sold 19,000 listings on one within a years time, and co-built a 50 million dollar business based on the concept, that later sold to prodigy for over 800 million dollars (all of this has been verified by past WF skeptics BTW) ultimately handing them over 80,000 web directory customers built up in less than 3-4 years...all paying $24.95 per month for a one page template... it kinda makes you a believer.

        Yeah Im pretty passionate about the concept. lol
        Hi John,

        I've been following you for a while. Are you currently doing these types of site rentals for your own business model?

        If not, Why not?

        If yes, could you elaborate or put out a WSO on this model?

        Thanks
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        • Profile picture of the author John Durham
          Originally Posted by rambo9600 View Post

          Hi John,

          I've been following you for a while. Are you currently doing these types of site rentals for your own business model?

          If not, Why not?

          If yes, could you elaborate or put out a WSO on this model?

          Thanks
          Interestingly, I am not currently doing a directory site but have in the past successfully for myself and others...

          Its what I have spent most of my career (Adult life) doing. So I know it like a race horse knows its way around a track.

          Not a webdesigner mind you... I dont "build" directory sites personally, all important webdesign projects (aside from quickly scratched out order pages...) is always hired out...

          So when I say I "design" directory sites... I mean designing the layouts, business models, programs , lead generation systems,and offline sales systems from beginning to end and all the elements and processes in between, from building the sales teams, to training them on what to say, how to say it, and how to handle variables..., managing them, motivating them, and finally exceeding the projections...

          Not the actual "coding...", although if I wanted to I (or "you") could easily build one with a nice drag and drop template. You really dont need to over complicate as some have pointed out brilliantly here.

          My first experience with Directory sites is in a free no optin report at the bottom of this post, which you can feel free to read at no charge.

          To add to your thoughts... Im trying to think of a way I can incorporate this into my current main project, and make it synergistic, because honestly this is a much better business model than any other out there.

          All this talk is making me wonder why I didnt do this model instead. It was a toss up honestly.

          Oh yes; I wanted to pay my reps higher up front commissions to make success more easily achievable for virtually unmanaged home workers... Thats why.

          Cant pay $500 front end commission on a $97 ticket at the POS.

          With a directory site, usually the salesman are not going to get rich, they will make an hourly wage and some reasonable commission, but the company itself does get Rich.

          You can change that scenario around by messing with your profit formula and creating different numbers. But $97 is the magic one for one call closes if you want to do volume with a smaller crew- ie; "not" a large nationwide network of agents.

          This can be done with just a couple of average hourly telemarketers.

          As fopr my other projects..

          Also, I have a bunch of isolated (independent ) offline clients... with sites that are generate leads for them, and are producing positive ROI in most cases.

          I am getting to where I do a WSO every two months or so.. those are "projects".

          I also do some large wholesale deals via internet on alibaba... I create and develop successful ebay stores for clients...and teach them how to run them... My services even include hiring professional part time SEO people to come on location and help clients run their ebay stores by monitoring the site now and then, and train their staffs on how to do effective listings and departments (site areas) ... listings...

          Again we dont rant about ALL of our projects all the time, so that one (ebay) may be a surprise to some.

          I am also planning to to do a music project with another warrior this year (very excited about that)... lets see...

          I also have the telemarketing forum .com, (obviously to some) which, at almost two years old, needs some love right now because activity slows when Im not there alot, but it's a vital producing site that makes more income by itself than alot of people make with two full time working adults in the home.

          Built it from nothing but an idea a couple of years ago... and it has been a great project , a great community to be a part of, and will continue to be forever hopefully.

          Which all leads to...

          The best part of this directory concept is that you can imagine the ease with which you could operate a directory as opposed to having a bunch of isolated sites and projects going on all the time to keep track of.

          Im trying to slim down to just 2 or three projects this year... aside from the random deals here and there that just kinda happen in between big ones...

          A directory site is the equivalent of being able to work on a hundred projects simultaneously, only it has even more money potential without having to have ten different 'random" projects going all the time. It can incrementally be built into WAY beyond 7 figures with even reasonable effort.

          Im going to incorporate it into what Im currently doing somehow over the coming weeks... Ultimately it will be probably be my mainstay model as the next few years unfold.
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          • Profile picture of the author rambo9600
            Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

            Interestingly, I am not currently doing a directory site but have in the past successfully for myself and others...

            To add to your thoughts... Im trying to think of a way I can incorporate this into my current main project, and make it synergistic, because honestly this is a much better business model than any other out there.

            All this talk is making me wonder why I didnt do this model instead.

            Oh yes; I wanted to pay my reps higher up front commissions to make success more easily achievable for virtually unmanaged home workers... Thats why.

            Cant pay $500 front end commission on a $97 ticket at the POS.

            With a directory site, usually the salesman are not going to get rich, they will make an hourly wage and some reasonable commission, but the company itself does get Rich.

            You can change that scenario around by messing with your profit formula and creating different numbers. But $97 is the magic one for one call closes if you want to do volume with a smaller crew- ie; "not" a large nationwide network of agents.

            This can be done with just a couple of average hourly telemarketers.

            I am getting to where I do a WSO every two months or so.. those are "projects".

            Which all leads to...

            The best part of this directory concept is that you can imagine the ease with which you could operate a directory as opposed to having a bunch of isolated sites and projects going on all the time to keep track of.

            A directory site is the equivalent of being able to work on a hundred projects simultaneously, only it has even more money potential without having to have ten different 'random" projects going all the time. It can incrementally be built into WAY beyond 7 figures with even reasonable effort.

            Ultimately it will be probably be my mainstay model as the next few years unfold.
            Thanks for your detailed response.

            This seems like a simple concept so why try and complicate it?

            As you know, you can pay your reps $500 on a $97 commission once you know your metrics. If the average client stays for 20 months then I have a gross profit of $2,000. I'm sure you get my point.

            What is the Lifetime Value of a Client?

            How long will the average client stay with this type of service?

            Will your 1st WSO be on Directory Sites?

            In order to keep a client longer I would think you will need a 5 page site and offer a 30 second video which could also be promoted in the SERPS.

            Personally, if I brought on a client, say a hair salon, I would want the domain to be DallasHairSalon.com

            I could SEO the site to get to page one along with the video. If the client decides to terminate the relationship I would simply find anather Dallas Hair Salon owner. Does that make sense to you?

            I'd like to talk with you personally if possible. If you could send me your contact details via PM it would be appreciated. Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author defaultuser
    So I just looked at your PDF download in your signature, and I am sorry if what I said sounded like I was trying to trash your ideas.

    Your content is solid, and it looks like you've got the proof to back it up. That's awesome.

    I just had a few gripes about a big company that I felt people here should know about. That's all. No harm, no foul.

    Besides I'm sure YP.com doesn't gives a crap about what I think anyway.

    Like you said:

    If people arent predicting your demise, you arent trying hard enough.
    I don't have any desire to contend your earnings either. I would consider myself extremely fortunate to be apart of the deals you've been apart of.

    To be totally honest, If I were you, I wouldn't give a crap about what some guy in the warrior forum said.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by defaultuser View Post

      So I just looked at your PDF download in your signature, and I am sorry if what I said sounded like I was trying to trash your ideas.
      .
      I didnt even take it that way for a second. We are all just sharing our personal truths, sometimes it sounds heated when it isnt because we dont have the advantage of vocal tones.... Never gave it a second thought you seem like a reasonable and cool person to me.

      I think the yp pages arent exactly first class, just saying the customers like them and that people sell these things all day long everyday. Never took it personal at all. No worries.

      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      I wish I had you around to train me when I first started. I've heard about your success a lot, but didn't know it sold for 800 mill... WOW.
      Well 99% of the people I have trained in a telemarketing room, learned to make or exceed their quota and excel at 10 bucks per hour, but did not go on to make hundreds of thousands of dollars as entrepreneurs.

      Some did though, and for that I am thankful. as for the others I know many of them experienced enlightenment from telemarketing in other ways that will serve them for ever.

      We are training together now in the WARRIOR FORUM Iamnameless. The greatest marketing forum on earth! We have alot more potential to help alot more people here than in any telemarketing room.
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  • Profile picture of the author defaultuser
    I didnt even take it that way for a second. We are all just sharing our personal truths, sometimes it sounds heated when it isnt because we dont have the advantage of vocal tones.... Never gave it a second thought you seem like a reasonable and cool person to me.
    Well said. Forum threads can sound heated when we can't communicate face to face.

    Good point about telemarketers. I live in Utah. Salt Lake and Provo have huge call centers scattered through out their counties.

    Do you happen to know the call center per capita or something? If so, I wouldn't be surprised if Utah was a leader.

    Are you familiar with services like Demandforce or Smile Reminder?

    Would you recommend offline marketers recommending services like those to Dentists and the like? I saw one or two offline WSO's mention it.

    From what I have learned, companies like DF and SR have affiliate programs. Seems like a logical fit.

    Has anyone else used either of these software as a services or others as an option for their clients, and have anything to say about them?
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  • Profile picture of the author JerrickYeoh
    Its really expensive and they usually charges per year.
    It is worth to place directories in yellowpage ? because i found out that it not really work and not much traffic from there.
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  • Profile picture of the author Teez
    Does anyone know of the UK equivalent not sure if there is one
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    My first stab at success is the Nike Air Yeezys this is what made me believe.

    You can't be scared of rejection on the quest to perfection.

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  • Profile picture of the author FreeLeadsKING
    And the crazy thing is they are not even #1 for "ryans remodeling" and small competition 300k
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    • Profile picture of the author Zen Warrior
      Interesting thread...hmmm, I think the YP sites are not bad looking but pretty useless....don't even have a real call to action on there.

      As to Mr Durham saying you can just throw in a Google Places listing cuz it only takes 20 minutes or so to complete???Huh?

      You no doubt haven't done a GP listing sir, at least not the right way...in any sort of competitive market, you will have to spend a lot more than 20 minutes to make that listing have any more value than those YP sites....ya know, the billboard in the desert ...

      But great food for thought here, thanks.

      YMMV,

      Mike
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  • Profile picture of the author xigmapro06
    Thanks for your reply.

    thanks
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    • Profile picture of the author goldog
      I know this is an old thread but here is a little I learned a while back (2010)

      My optometrist spent a lot on YP ads. He said his YP site was free with the ads. He probably didn't consider the "hosting" charge significant. YP owns the content , domain and they put their ads on it to boot! He didn't really care. He was so used to what he'd been doing all these years it didn't hurt anymore.

      The blurb of content seemed canned to me. I did a Google search and got page after page of the same thing. Oddest results I've ever seen. There is still 2 full pages for his content and his site isn't one of them.

      "we take pride in maintaining a friendly, compassionate team whose goal is to make your every visit a stress-free experience. Please browse rest our site to learn more about our services capabilities, contact us to discuss your personal care needs."

      Granted some of those results are directory listings which lifted the content from the site.
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  • Profile picture of the author mayankgangwal
    Let them know my that i am free and i can make a damp creative website for a minimum cost. lol
    I mean how can anyone be stupid like this i would have search the market rather then just giving a $200 a month.
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  • Profile picture of the author AmyKay
    Hmmmmmm. Loved this idea until..

    I picked up the phone and called 5 local businesses who have the one page yellowbook websites. I asked them honestly if I could pick their brain to see if I could make better sites cheaper than Yellowbook. Each person was happy to talk and told me how much they pay, etc. The results are:

    They don't think they pay anything. They all said the same thing, that the website is basically free in their ad package for the regular yellowbook listing and other directory listings.

    Is this how you all understand it to work? I don't see how I could charge these folks anything they think they're getting their site for free already. (True or not, that's their perception.)

    One lady said she always runs a full page ad in the print yellowbook. She said that ad would cost her $100 more each year if she didnt' take the package that included her 5 page website. Interesting.

    Am I missing something?
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by AmyKay View Post

      Hmmmmmm. Loved this idea until..

      I picked up the phone and called 5 local businesses who have the one page yellowbook websites. I asked them honestly if I could pick their brain to see if I could make better sites cheaper than Yellowbook. Each person was happy to talk and told me how much they pay, etc. The results are:

      They don't think they pay anything. They all said the same thing, that the website is basically free in their ad package for the regular yellowbook listing and other directory listings.

      Is this how you all understand it to work? I don't see how I could charge these folks anything they think they're getting their site for free already. (True or not, that's their perception.)

      One lady said she always runs a full page ad in the print yellowbook. She said that ad would cost her $100 more each year if she didnt' take the package that included her 5 page website. Interesting.

      Am I missing something?
      5 people?

      I market to yellowbook customers constantly. Most are paying 50-150/mo... and about $3,800 and up per year for the ads.

      Now, you're seeing the small, short sighted version of things... even if yellowbook was giving away website, FREE, to everybody.. they still suck.

      A yellowbook website is hosted with a domain that yellowbook owns. They forward YOUR domain to a page on their directory, where they just basically clone and edit. What does this mean? They probably aren't ranking in the search engines. It also means they probably can use a website that converts better.
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    • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
      Originally Posted by AmyKay View Post

      Hmmmmmm. Loved this idea until..

      I picked up the phone and called 5 local businesses who have the one page yellowbook websites. I asked them honestly if I could pick their brain to see if I could make better sites cheaper than Yellowbook. Each person was happy to talk and told me how much they pay, etc. The results are:

      They don't think they pay anything. They all said the same thing, that the website is basically free in their ad package for the regular yellowbook listing and other directory listings.

      Is this how you all understand it to work? I don't see how I could charge these folks anything they think they're getting their site for free already. (True or not, that's their perception.)

      One lady said she always runs a full page ad in the print yellowbook. She said that ad would cost her $100 more each year if she didnt' take the package that included her 5 page website. Interesting.

      Am I missing something?
      Sounds like a classic example of getting people to pick the middle options.

      (number made up)
      Full page YP ad = $1099
      Half page ad and YP site = $999 (order by 9/31/12 and we will upgrade the ad to full page for free)
      Half page ad = $799

      This is simple marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author AmyKay
    Hmmmmmmmm, I'll definitely give it another go.

    Remind them the site stinks, not mobilized, and not really owned by them.

    I hate it that these business owners are putting the domain on their business cards, etc. I pointed that out to someone today, told them they are sort of being held hostage by yellowbook. LOL No lie, I said that. He just didn't seem to care. LOL Moving on.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    AmyKay if that is the objection you are hearing you need to have two sale pitches ready. You will find those paying more and you can convert them over.

    But like you learned a lot of them see it as free. So why not offer your service as a great compliment to the free YP site.

    Explain that they should have a domain they control for a main website and email. But never put them down for putting the YP site on their business cards. Clearly they are happy with the site from YP.

    You know they are willing to spend good money and they like package deals so build up packages.

    10 Page website
    Up to 10 email address
    Tracking Number (or no tracking and explain why their website should have their real number)
    Google Place
    Facebook
    Twitter

    Now build different packages and just like YP make them buy the middle one that is the best value.
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    Amy, read this. What YellowBook Doesn't Want To Tell You

    This is a blog I made to link to from some marketing I've been doing to yellowbook customers. There are even yellowbook employees that have commented. Check it out, use the selling points.
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  • Profile picture of the author digichik
    When selling web design services to Yellowbook customers, how do you handle the domain name issue? Do you have the customer just get a new domain name? or do they try to get their domain name from Yellowbook?

    How do they get out of their Yellowbook contract? or can they get out of it?

    Trying to get a domain name is more trouble than most clients want to endure.
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    • Profile picture of the author midasman09
      Banned
      Just came across this "year-old" thread and would like to update after reading the posts;

      Waay Baack "in the day", a friend sent me a sample Phone-Book Cover that was "Hard Plastic" as compared to the "soft plastic" covers of competitors.

      His Cover had 2-line Listings with 60 Listings per side...120 Listings per cover.

      The competition had 12 "display" listings on each side.

      So....I thought, "Hey! Knowing how local biz owners REVERE the Phone Book, I thought I'd give it a try.

      So....I made up a dummy sample and went about selling "Exclusive, 2-line Listings on a Hard Plastic Phone Book Cover".

      I could NOT believe the "Power" of referring to the "Local Yellow Pages" as an "attention-getter". Sold Covers in FIVE towns!

      Now....update to 2013. After looking at some of the "1-page sites" some biznesses are paying for....sure....it's the "Yellow Pages" and they bought because of the "Power" of the YP name......my thinking is, just like when I sold ads on my "YP Phone Book Covers"....I can use their willingness to pay for a website thru the YP to "qualify" them to be prospects for MY "Video".

      My Videos are "Keyword Videos" (Plumber in Portland...etc) lasting about 1 minute.

      I do NOT "brand" my videos with a bizness name. I use CallFire for the Phone reference and I use Dave Cisneros, Mark Helton's or Nick Mann's PLR videos for certain niches.

      I make the "generic" video with a Phone # that I control.....upload to my YT Channel....get the Videos ranked on Page 1 ...then proceed to contact Biz Owners via FaceBook (Most OWNERS handle their Biz FB account) to "take a look" at the Video....letting them know the Phone # can be Re-Directed to THEIR phone.

      Thus.....just like in the "YP Cover days".....those who spend money with YP are ALSO .....VERY interested in any program that can Improve their YP results.

      Happy Days are Here Again,

      Don Alm....marketing AND Sales guy
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  • Profile picture of the author Cableguy30
    It's 79 per month. You get up to 10 pg site. Local directories claimed and aa 30 sec photo motion vid. A down payment is needed so
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  • Profile picture of the author nyk24
    stumbled across this old thread, thanks for the link to your blog iAmNameLess just wondering how do you adapt this to the intro of a good cold call script or do you prefer mailing or emailing the prospects?

    Thanks in advance

    Nick
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    • Profile picture of the author Anthem40
      I know this thread should have never been resurrected, but:

      I used to be a Yellowbook rep.

      There is no certain price for these websites.

      First, 95% of these websites are sold in bundles.
      You get usually 2-3 print ads, white page bold listing, 2-3 yellowbook.com listings AND the website is included.

      The price of this bundle fluctuates based on the market size. Smaller town, smaller price. NY, NY- higher price.


      If the customer wants print ads, you say everything else is free.
      If the customer wants a website, you say everything else is free.

      Valuation is difficult.

      Like it has been said, YB owns the domains. If the client is past due, YB keeps the domain as leverage. If the client wants out, YB makes it a royal pain in the ass to get it back, "It would be easier just to renew and get back to business, Mr. Customer"

      Yellowbook is a piece of shit company that is now on par with a penny stock company and if you manage to talk a business out of YB ads, it would probably be easier to have them purchase a new domain in the mean time.
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      95% of IM'ers have great relationships with clients who also advertise offline and with other people. Stop missing out on that cash and leverage into it. PM me if you are an established marketer and want to find out how.
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