Craigslist Question - Need help from you Veterans

9 replies
I've been tracking my craigslist impressions on many different ads... this is to see what headlines are performing best. Ive tested over the past 5 or so days and right now it seems like I'm getting the best response between 4 and 5pm. I'm using Craigslist ad tracker and I've checked over and over again to make sure it's counting impressions correctly and it works 100% fine.

This is in the web design niche and I'm posting in the computer services section.

Here's the problem:

I've been doing a good amount of research and it seems like some people are getting a ton of views on their ads (some said up to 100+ from what I've seen in the examples they used).

My ads are getting maybe 5 views at the most (on average they probably get 2) which seems insanely low. I thought it might be the city Im using so I tested in a new location that seems very popular, in New Jersey, which is the same time zone as my main city... same deal Computer section and web design offer. I posted at my busy time around 4:40 (the tests are done Tuesdays, Wed, and Thursdays) and to my surprise it only got a couple views as well... Is this normal?

I've got a ton of experience with email marketing, I can get pretty good open rates on emails, click through rates on regular ads but I'm not sure if the problem is something I'm doing wrong or that I'm expecting too many impressions from Craigslist.

Here's the headlines I'm using:

-POOR DESIGN IS COSTING YOU 80% OF YOUR CUSTOMERS

-Warning! Do Not Buy Web Design Until You Ask Them These 5 Questions
(yes, taken from Ewenmacks thread)

Most of the headline are like this, build curiousity etc.

Any help is MUCH appreciated.
#craigslist #question #veterans
  • Profile picture of the author abbot
    Banned
    You need more headlines. Just because you THINK a headline will receive a good open rate does not mean it actually will. In fact, some of the simplest headlines I have used receive the best success.

    Just keep trying new headlines. Test test test. You should be constantly running split tests.

    Sometimes the simplest things can change the outcome drastically.

    Couple examples..

    I found that by simply copying my headline and adding symbols before and after drew much more attention. SAME HEADLINE with different symbols..SIMPLE

    In the location box... by using "--------CITY---------" instead of "CITY" also received a higher open rate. SIMPLE

    Once you see a headline work, reword that headline AND post another ad using the same headline with things like "100% guaranteed". THEN use different symbols..etc..

    Am I painting a picture as to how much testing you SHOULD be doing? No one can simply give you the correct formula. You will be much more successful if you do the testing. It WILL pay off eventually.
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    • Profile picture of the author thomharvey87
      Originally Posted by abbot View Post

      You need more headlines. Just because you THINK a headline will receive a good open rate does not mean it actually will. In fact, some of the simplest headlines I have used receive the best success.

      Just keep trying new headlines. Test test test. You should be constantly running split tests.

      Sometimes the simplest things can change the outcome drastically.

      Couple examples..

      I found that by simply copying my headline and adding symbols before and after drew much more attention. SAME HEADLINE with different symbols..SIMPLE

      In the location box... by using "--------CITY---------" instead of "CITY" also received a higher open rate. SIMPLE

      Once you see a headline work, reword that headline AND post another ad using the same headline with things like "100% guaranteed". THEN use different symbols..etc..

      Am I painting a picture as to how much testing you SHOULD be doing? No one can simply give you the correct formula. You will be much more successful if you do the testing. It WILL pay off eventually.
      Yeah like I said I've tested at least 10 different headlines already, from simple "WEB DESIGN" to curiosity to emotional and benefits. All with the same result. Just wondering if anyone has tracking numbers with how many impressions they're getting with their ads.
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      • Profile picture of the author abbot
        Banned
        I get 50+ / ad on average
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        • Profile picture of the author thomharvey87
          Originally Posted by abbot View Post

          I get 50+ / ad on average
          Yeah that's what I figured would be a good number. Looks like I'm going to have to test new cities. Anyone else have any advice/reasons why it's getting such little click throughs?
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          • Profile picture of the author kebertt
            Originally Posted by thomharvey87 View Post

            Yeah that's what I figured would be a good number. Looks like I'm going to have to test new cities. Anyone else have any advice/reasons why it's getting such little click throughs?
            Are your ads being ghosted?
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            • Profile picture of the author thomharvey87
              Originally Posted by kebertt View Post

              Are your ads being ghosted?
              No they're still getting clicked on by a person in the city which means they are appearing. I tried to change to a major city today. Between 4pm to 5pm posted ads for web design in computer services.. same result. All of them got 1 view each by someone in the city. No idea whats going on... It can't be that my headlines are that wrong so at this point I'm completely lost.

              Going to keep testing but really not sure what to do.
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  • Profile picture of the author misterme
    Maybe you ought to test another category besides Computer Services? Makes me think of getting my 'puter repaired, not where to go for my businesses' web design.
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  • Profile picture of the author digichik
    You may want to retest the posting time. I have found that from 10:30 am - 11:45 am is a good time to post, as well as 4pm-5pm. Perhaps, new headers and including the late morning posting will increase your view rate.
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    • Profile picture of the author thomharvey87
      Originally Posted by digichik View Post

      You may want to retest the posting time. I have found that from 10:30 am - 11:45 am is a good time to post, as well as 4pm-5pm. Perhaps, new headers and including the late morning posting will increase your view rate.
      Yeah I will continue testing different times and headlines.

      For people who say they're getting 50 to 100 views per ad.. is that 1 time posting? For example: posting it at 4pm and say by 5pm it's got 50 views? Or are you renewing it and it's getting those views?
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