What is Best Advertising?

[Jac]

I took this segment from a post in another area to keep the issues seperate...I know that we have discussed this in the past, but it is clearly an issue with the declining market...so, here is the question from sueg:

Does any one have any good ideas for advertising that they would like to share? I have ads on Google and in LA Times to get the word out. I have been trying to figure out how to advertise on Google to get the most out of it but it is very confusing. Anyone out there have any insight? I think it would really help all of us. Thanks for any help!

[lieverdmom]

Jac,

I'm no expert on Google ads, but think I lost my shirt in choosing the blanket option last year. This is how we get completely un-related ads popping up... they see the word "stroller" and show us baby ads.

My next experiment (thanks for reminding me that I think I still have a small balance with them...) would be to go with the narrower market, and see if the ads show up on the doodle related pages.

Let us know what your experience has been with them. I'll confess that I've forgetten to advertise this year.

[sueg123]

Thanks Jac: sorry, I got off the subject before.
I have been trying to get through the tutorials that Google provides for their advertising program. It seems you can choose to target keywords (ie. anything with the word Labradoodle in the phrase) or searches (ie; looking up Labradoodle in a search). I have also put an ad into LA Times and I got calls from the Times ad. I have asked my customers how they found me and most just say from a search on line. So I am still in the dark as to which ads work best. Does anyone have any good ideas about their own experience?

[Tink]

For my advertising I Googled "free Wisconsin pet classified" and similar queries. As a result I was able to find many places to advertise that have cost little or nothing. I've had a lot of response and really don't feel I have any problem finding buyers for my pups.

I have a program on my website that tells me how many people have been there, how many are first time visitors, how long they stay and most importantly, where they came to my site from. MOST are off the ads or Google itself.

Good luck and I hope you're able to find inexpensive advertising as helpful as I have.

[lieverdmom]

Tink, how do you phrase your "free" ads?

[cissy k]

For those who check to see who is visiting their sites....GUILTY!!!

I love to look at all of your websites and see your pups and parents!! So, if you see me lingering....um....just ignore, please!!

[lieverdmom]

We don't mind at all, Cissy. I noticed that there's the occasional visitor from here. I'll have to put out a Welcome mat!

[Jac]

That is very nice, Cissy!
I am sort of technically challenged...I have no idea who visits my site! Wish I did...I'd do a welcome mat too!

[Tink]

If you have a website and make sure to get the link to it out to as many places as possible, you will get hits on the site without paying to advertise through Google. I've had no agreement with Google at any time, yet as I said, many of my viewers find me through them.

It's pretty much a numbers game... the more times your website addy appears online the more apt it is to be noticed by search engines. AOL and MSN search engines bring me views too.

The most important factor is to just use "key words/phrases" on your site that will be picked up in searches.

[M&Tdoodles]

In the past we have paid for advertising in the local paper and the words RI LABRADOODLES from the add were showing up up Google whenever anyone typed in key word phrases in their search like RhodeIsland labradoodles or Labradoodles in RI , the Google page from from that paper would immediately be at the top. I would say place ads in a few papers around your area. It may be costly but the adds will be viewed by many and show up in Google searches. A double whammy of advertising is best.
Placing KEY word phrases in your web site also may assist your ratings. Paying Google is scary to me. If I understand it correctly, don't you pay Google every time someone clicks on your paid add? That could really add up without your control and then you may find yourself owing Google thousands..Do I have this correct in my understanding?
I have read about advertising with Google but thats the impression I received so we steered clear.

Another idea is to have a creative sticker made up for the back of your car, that says your web site. Every time you drive around town people will surely view it and maybe they will email you or call you.
We had one made up with just our web site on it. Now to place it on Toms truck....

[lieverdmom]

I advertised on Google with my first litter, and there are ways to control the clicks to some extent. I seem to recall that you set it up before you hit "Send" on the payment, so it might be worth looking into. I took the option of blanketing All, which I would not do again. That must be how some other forums get the off the wall ads, such as a post that mentions a puppy stroller suddenly displays an ad for diapers or human formula. You can also limit the amount you pay for each hit, though the larger amount approved probably moves you closer to the top of the list in frequency of ads.

As to the sign on the truck, I've considered that myself, but think I've heard something about the possibility of the signs sometimes being an attractant to crime, on the theory that the business owner has deeper pockets. Don't know if that's true, but it might be worth checking with the local police and/or your insurance agent first. I know there are a lot of accident scams in LA, and this might increase the likelihood of being set up in one of those.

[M&Tdoodles]

DEB,
I never thought of that....always something to worry about...makes sense...will check ...a good thing we didnt place it yet..

[KingstonTodd]

For those that make their own websites, how long did it take for google to index it? I have heard it can take 4-6 weeks for google or other search engines to crawl your site in order for it to appear in their search results. I am in the process of waiting to be indexed and I am so impatient, I am glad I uploaded my site way too early, so hopefully by the time my puppies come my site can be found by the search engines.

[MaxandMe]

NOW here many doodle breeders have their websites , do search engine submissions etc

but NOW many will place one ad in paper that runs for 2 weeks and say they get MANY CALLS and business from it
as many here don't ship. Also during slow times they place ad w/pic of say 3 puppies together in color.....draws many people

for my breeder i am reference so every so often i let people meet me in my yard to see Peanut and ask questions
also see her as she is both in coat and personality.
THE OTHER Thing I do is let prospective doodle-to-be owners call me , sometimes emailing them pics

so many who have my breeders goldendoodles are referrals but also the ones who called from newspaper ads and get one
they send ME emails with updates and pics!!!