So I am planning on starting a classifieds site, like craigslist, for my city and two surrounding cities. I am going to make a bunch of signs and post them all around these towns, on telephone poles, phone booths, bathroom walls, wherever there are people to read it..so I have got advertising covered, but what do I do about an empty classified site? I am worried that my site being brand new, when people see the ad and go to the site, and then see there's no listings on the site, they will just leave... So what should I do about that?
You can download some listings from the website which make it possible. For example http://www.oodle.com/ This service (or another one) allows to download the listings. The second option - You can negotiate with car dealers and real estate agents, inviting them to advertise with you. Perhaps for free for the start.
Thanks that is an excellent idea. There is a trading post and an antiques shop nearby I am planning on dropping in on as soon as I get the site up and running.