Advertising on the internet does not need to be a great mystery. At the same time, businesses do not need to be lax about developing an advertising program that is matched to a certain purpose. The Advertising FAQ's page will answer many common questions related to internet advertising.

Questions

General Advertising

1. What is a "targeted" advertising plan?
2. What is an "informational" advertising plan?
3. What is a "promotional" or "decision-making" advertising plan?

Internet Advertising

1. What are the advantages of internet advertising over newspaper or radio?
2. What are the disadvantages of internet advertising over newspaper or radio?
3. How do I know if my advertisement is effective?
4. What is a banner ad?
5. What is a full page "mini-site"?
6. What is a "pop-up" advertisement?
7. What type of people read internet ads?

Advertising Questions Related to Southeastern Websites, Inc.

1. Why choose to advertise on a Southeastern Websites, Inc. site?
2. Which site should I choose?
3. How many ads should I run?
4. Should I run on multiple sites?

Answers

General Advertising

What is a "targeted" advertising plan? A targeted advertising plan is one that is focused on a particular set of goals. For example, a bank may want to focus on their checking account services. An auto repair shop may want to focus on oil changes. It really depends upon your final goal. If your business does a great job making people into customers when you get them in the door, then your ad program needs to focus on getting them in the door. If your customers are unaware of your product, your ad program may be more educational in focus. For a new business, the goal may be to create awareness. In all cases, the ad program should be targeted to meet a specific need.

What is an "informational" advertising plan? An "informational" or "educational" advertising plan is designed to create name recognition or inform the customer about a specific product or service. It tends to be a little more general in nature. The primary goal is to let people know that your business or product is in existence and how to make contact.

What is a "promotional" or "decision-making" advertising plan? A "promotional" or "decision-making" advertising plan is designed to move people towards a decision. Typically, sales ads fall in this category. The concept of a sales ad is to get the consumer to make an immediate purchase decision. Promotional ad campaigns typically change the graphics often and almost all offers are for a limited time duration.

Internet Advertising

What are the advantages of internet advertising over newspaper or radio? Internet advertisements are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. When linked with a web site or a "mini-site", the advertiser can include much more information. Online sales allow business that are operated less than around the clock to be open around the clock. You have many more colors and animations to offer the consumer when compared with print media. Also, unlike radio, you have the ability to combine sound and pictures.

Internet advertising campaigns are also very flexible and can be changed very quickly. They are also inexpensive when compared to other forms of advertising.

What are the disadvantages of internet advertising over newspaper or radio? Internet advertising has some limitations. Print media and radio is more portable. To see an online ad, you must be online. In addition, internet advertising has been around several years. Newspaper advertising has been available hundreds of years. In smaller markets, newspapers have more distribution than most internet sites. Although this phenomena is shifting towards online materials, it will be many years before online content dominates the advertising world.

How do I know if my advertisement is effective? You should see it first in the number of contacts to your website. Obviously, the ultimate indicator of performance is increased traffic and sales to your place of business. If you do not see evidence of growth in either category within 3 months, revise your advertising plan.

What is a banner ad? A banner ad is a graphical advertisement on an internet site that is typically linked to another web page. Typical sizes are 468 X 60 or 100 X 100 pixels.

What is a full page "mini-site"? A full page "mini-site" is a one page site built specifically to highlight products and services offered by a business. Unlike the full site, the "mini-site" is very focused on a limited amount of items. In the print media world, a "mini-site" is similar to a flyer or brochure.

What is a "pop-up" advertisement? A "pop-up" advertisement is one that opens a new browser window for the ad. Southeastern Websites, Inc. does not work with "pop-up" advertisements. We only use traditional banner advertisements.

What type of people read internet ads? Today, almost everyone reads internet ads. You still need to know your customers to help choose the right sites. For example, you would not want to advertise steak in a vegitarian magazine. Choose your sites carefully, just as you would carefully choose where to place ads for a print campaign.

Advertising Questions Related to Southeastern Websites, Inc.

Why choose to advertise on a Southeastern Websites, Inc. site? We are a truly innovative business. We can offer creative solutions to your problems. While we can offer a rate card like any other advertising organization, it is not the final script. We are small enough to be flexible to your needs. Our goal is to build your revenues. Sometimes, we have to think out of the box to accomplish that goal.

Which site should I choose? Southeastern Websites, Inc. offers sites covering a variety of topics from local cities to dining to vacations. There is probably a site that is just right for your business. Listed below are some of sites we operate:

www.gothomasville.com - Thomasville, GA's premier information source
www.gotallahassee.com - Tallahassee, FL's premier information source
www.seminolevacations.com - Lake Seminole Destination Guide
www.georgiadining.info - Georgia Restaurant Dining Guide
www.floridadining.info - Florida Restaurant Dining Guide
www.fishinglies.com - Fishing Tips and Stories
www.thomasvillevacations.com - Thomasville, GA Destination Guide
www.thomasvillerentals.com - Thomasville, GA Rental Properties www.goatlantaga.com - Atlanta, GA's premier information source
www.mortgagesellers.com - Connecting property owners with capital

How many ads should I run? Generally, you only would need to run one ad per site. The only exception is if you choose to use a "mini-site". A "mini-site" is typically on the same site where your ad is placed. They are very inexpensive, but allow you to change the whole look of your business without changing your main site.

Should I run on multiple sites? If your business covers a large geographic area, you may choose more sites. If your business was confined to the Tallahassee, Florida area then GoTallahassee may be all you need. If you have a restaurant in Thomasville, Georgia then an ad on the Georgia Dining Guide and GoThomasville would work well. The key is to have an effective advertising campaign.