I'm starting a site that is service or product comparison related. It would be a site that freelancers would definetly be interested in especially if they are just starting out since it has a price comparison. My goal is to obviously make money on it. But I want freelancers and other service providers to be willing to advertise on this site. I also want those who are seeking a freelancer or service provider to want to use this site. What is the best way to get advertisers? Would charging them hinder them from joining? How much would you be willing to a pay a month or year to advertise? I was originally thinking to start off the site to allow people to advertise the first month or so free. Would the advertisers be scared away if I later charged them. Any thoughts appreciated.
Hi, I feel that it would not do the site any good if you start charging them in the beginning. You may want to offer free listing for their ads, then generate revenue through 'Featured Listing' which SEDO and other domain marketplace are doing. I strongly believe that freelancers will not pay to advertise their services on a new site.
Yes, i second that. The best way to promote a site is offering something unique and free as a good start.
I've figured in the unique and free to start already. I'm thinking about down the road. Obviously, the goal is to make money on it. What about when the site gets popular? Do you think even $1 a month is too much after the site gets popular? From my perspective, if I get 100 people to advertise a month that is $100 a month. Would you as a freelancer be willing to pay that much if you get leads from the site? What's the most you would be willing to pay if you get leads to your site?
You need to worry about getting people set up for free right now. You then see how well the free ads do and based on that, decide how much to charge for paid advertising. You don't ask how much one would pay for leads. You ask how much they would pay for X leads and then demonstrate you can actually deliver.
I would have to agree with the above comments. Free for now, get the traffic coming in then "drop the bomb later" when your in a better position. Much like alot of webhosts offer free webspace in their infant days, build up a reputation, get the name heard around town, then cash in later.