Anyone have CitySearch advertising success?

We canceled our CitySearch advertising in February due to lack of results - even though we were emphatically told "Movers is one of the 3 most common requests searched on CitySearch!".

This was EXPENSIVE advertising and I am shocked how little we got out of it (read "zilch!") for the number of times it comes up when I am service-searching.

In addition, I had an awful time getting tech support when I couldn't log in to read our stats. And, when I finally did, the site was "temporarily unavailable" many times I tried to log in.

I'd like to hear other people's success or lack of with CitySearch advertising and service.

And . . . I'd like all that money back we wasted!

Assisted Transitions ~ personalized move management

6 Bizniks have posted replies

Posted by Justin Baker, Seattle, Washington | Mar 10, 2008

i am still evaluating their service myself. i can say that their tech support really does need some work.

it does seem to bring about 2-3 leads to my website a day. not sure about actual orders though.

what i am having the most luck with right now is blogging on my wordpress site. for the money, this is the best solution.

if there's anyone out there who would like to get a wordpress site up, love to share what i know.

annie, i wonder if you and i should team up and go make friends with salespeople for various retirement facilities. :) that seems like one of your bread and butter markets.
Posted by Christian Messer, Portland, Oregon | Mar 12, 2008

I have several clients who use it, and are successful with it. The type of industry may be the slight drawback though, the one client I'm thinking of in particular, owns a hair studio. He gets GREAT results.

From what I have gathered, you need to have people post reviews of your business in order to make it worthwhile. If you don't have any reviews, ASK clients to create them. People are more than happy to do this.

I'm wondering how better to sue the money for your industry - maybe partner with some Real Estate agencies? Have a banner ad on their web site?

Also - check out Angie's List I think this would be much more productive for you than City Search.

Christian Messer, Whiplash Design
Posted by Catherine DuBose, Seattle, Washington | Mar 14, 2008

I have also used City Search and was rated as the #1 Seattle Interior Design Web site for 07. I got alot of hits on their site and made some great client connections, but in the end, it was entirely too expensive for what it produced in sales and I ended my campaign with it. I now use Google and it is my best form of getting new clients.I would be interested in anyone teaching me how to set up my own blog site. Any help out there would be appreciated!!!I am fascinated by blogging and am just getting into this new version of communication.
Posted by Annie Jacobsen, Seattle, Washington | Mar 14, 2008

Thanks for this great feedback! Gives us good info to consider.

Catherine ~ For a blog addition to your site ~ I HIGHLY recommend Ron Rieneckert (a Biznik!). I have been contacted from people in my industry (across the country) asking why Assisted Transitions comes up so high in Google searches. i credit Ron and Biznik!

Assisted Transitions ~ personalized move management
Posted by Catherine DuBose, Seattle, Washington | Mar 14, 2008

Thanks Annie- I will contact Ron and try to get this blog started!! I love this web site!!!
Posted by Justin Baker, Seattle, Washington | Mar 15, 2008

my only sale today came off Citysearch.:)

BiZi Bee has lots of happy clients. i am going to have to send an email asking for their help.

For anyone thinking of using blogging to power up your search engine rankings, i highly recommend a Wordpress powered web site

that's what we use at bizibeefloral.com and it is super exciting to see the results it's getting us.