Google -VS- Goldenpages

cormie

Hi,
I want to start advertising VanTasks.ie and I suppose the two main contenders are Google Adwords and Goldenpages.ie.

To even just be listed on Goldenpages.ie will cost €1225+vat which will return VanTasks.ie for searches on removals, collections, deliveries, transport etc etc. This cost can be spread over 10 months. If i want to have a better position, I can pay €1900+vat and I will be guaranteed to be on the first page of results in rotation afaik. This is just on the website now, I've missed the printed edition for another year at this stage so that can be considered later.

So basically I'm wondering would €1225+vat be better spent using adwords and return more certain customers to me or would I be best sticking with Goldenpages. I know I can do both but I don't have that much to work with so want to spend wisely. Goldenpages obviously have a monopoly in the Irish market so can charge ridiculous amounts (1225+vat just to be listed is quite expensive for a year!). Google also have a monopoly but seem to be priced fairer and I'm not tied into a 12 month contract like I would be with Goldenpages so I can monitor everything much clearer and invest more/less as I want.

It's really about the audience either will reach and which would be best for the type of business it is I suppose.

Any advice appreciated:)

Tav

From the customers point of view i would first turn to GoldenPages.ie to find such a service.
I use google when i need more information about some company and i hate Google ads
I think GoldenPages have such a established position in this market that that's the way to go.

tak

To even just be listed on Goldenpages.ie will cost €1225+vat

Not so, Cormie !

Local Golden Pages book basic listing is free - and this gets you into goldenpages.ie also.
It's only when you want inclusion in more than one book area or want a bigger advert that the charges come in.

I think that inclusion in Kompass.ie is free for a basic listing also.

Take the free ones and see how much you van get for your money on Google.

is_that_so

I was in the Golden Pages for a year. I got enough business out of it to justify the cost. You might consider van signs. A plumber I know drives around for a couple of hours on a Monday to "advertise". In general advertising with one type can restrict you and as you say yourself it depends on the audience.

swissalarm

Hi Cormie,

I had a look at the website and it seems you are (mostly) targeting consumers rather than business people, for this reason I would say go for the goldenpages.ie option...

We advertise in both and find we get more enquiries from individuals and members of the public from goldenpages, and more business enquiries from google ads.

However I love the flexibility of the paid ads... you can tailor each ad to different sectors - for example have individual ads for the Gig and Event Transport and the international transport, and (unlike multiple entries in the goldenpages) it doesn't cost anymore, you just pay for the clicks...

It is worth reading up on the adwords, as you can get more for your daily budget by limiting the ads by time and area etc.

p.s. It is true that van graphics are a very cost effective way to advertise locally - you may already have this in place?

mneylon

A lot will depend on what you are selling....

One of the issues we ran into is that "internet services" (or whatever the category is) covers absolutely ALL internet services, so we didn't get much out of it all

I'd focus on seo and maybe a bit of PPC (ie. adwords)

If you've never done anything like that you might want to get someone else to look after it for you

MB74

The goldenpages is good if there aren't too many prime listings in your category but they seem to be actively pushing gp.ie so will it be a victim of it's success. Basic listing will only get limited success.

Have you tried networking, try get to know people who may need your services on an ongoing basis. A lot of work to begin with but well worth it in the long run. You do need to find the right circles to mingle in.

Not much experience with google advertising here unfortunately.