Different brand auto door??

[rabbitfluff]

We're trying to decide where to spend our advertising budget this year, and I was just wondering if people still use the Thomsons and Yellow Pages directories or if people tend to search online now?

 

Traditionally we've had fairly wide coverage in both and quite big ads but it works out very expensive compared to other methods.

 

For example, would a garage be something you'd look for in a directory? I still use them if I need a plumber or something, where they might not have a website, but not for much else.

 

Thanks.

[Chucky Mama]

I rarely use them now for anything.

[clootie]

Nope, not even out of the plastic wrapping they come in. Straight to recycling.

[Egluntyne]

No. I always go by personal recommendation.

[sage]

I use them for local tradesmen if I couldn't get a recommendation from a friend and small shop, but larger establishments I would try internet first. A garage I would look up in yellow pages.

Hope this helps

Sage

[chickric]

Haven't used the paper directories for years but do sometimes use the online version.

[Daphne]

I tend to use online first unless I'm in a massive hurry and can't be bothered to wait for the computer to warm up! Particularly if I'm just looking for a phone number and not browsing.

 

But don't forget, if you're selling goods/services for older people who don't necessarily have/use computers then you might be missing out if you don't have any presence in a hardcopy directory (depending on what business you're in of course). And, I've had a couple of occasions recently to find a local tradesperson in a geographical area I'm not familiar with when I didn't have my laptop with me and so I went straight to a hardcopy directory. I have also noticed that some very small retail suppliers near me (which tend to be very old-fashioned) have a rubbish online presence. They wouldn't fill me with confidence if I didn't already know them.

[Willow]

I pt them straight into recycling I'm afraid. I use recommendations where possible and if not I google for local reviews.

[chickenNutter]

I tend to use them for local tradesmen etc, but go on line for more specialised sevices or products. I think it depends on the type of business as to what is best.

[HappyhenSG]

No, we use the online versions though. We usually manage to collar the person delivering them and tell them not to bother with ours. We get a small directory (Dentons) for local businesses. Would use Which? trade directory for builders/plumbers and the like.

[rabbitfluff]

Thank you for the replies - very helpful (and I mean that as up to this year this has been where we've done the majority of our (none web) advertising, and covering more than one town/city and several categories in directories gets quite expensive).

 

I appreciate asking this here means we probably have a bias to online searching, but it's pretty much confirmed what we thought. We'll keep a presence in the directories I think but nowhere near the previous scale.

 

Thanks again.

[Bramble]

Id agree with what others have said. I don't throw new directories out , but i never look at them, they go into recycling when the new ones arrive.

My Mum (aged 75, going on 120), however, does use hers a lot. She does not have internet access (by choice), so finds the paper ones invaluable.

[majorbloodnock]

Please bear in mind that this isn't necessarily the best place to ask that sort of question. By its very nature, an Internet forum is populated by people with computers, so excluding (as Daphne pointed out) certain commercially significant groups. However, more to the point is that many who are comfortable enough with the Web to use a forum like this aren't just "people with computers" but people who're likely to think of the Internet as a first port of call for many things. It doesn't mean your research is invalid, but do factor this in when making your decision.

 

Speaking personally, though, our Yellow Pages or Thompson will sooner or later end up in the car. If we're looking for a business of some sort, we'll look online first, then use the directory in the car as a reference during our trip out to visit said business(es), 'cos it's easier than web surfing whilst out and about. Therefore, eye catching adverts are of no importance at all, since we already know who we're looking for and are purely using the directory as a reference book.

[CatieB]

My boss advertises in them and a few years ago questioned whether to give up. They persuaded him to continue but our advert now has a specific telephone number in it. Yell (or whoever) keep a record so they can show my boss how many enquires we get through them. He has been persuaded to keep the advert going so I guess that implies he considered it worth while.

 

I recollect a while ago he talked about making the ad smaller to see if that impacted on the calls made through it, if you are interested I'll enquire whether it did.

[Saronne]

Online for me - the print's too fine in the Yellow Pages...

[Redwing]

Its worth asking people who call you where they got your details, its a quick question and helps you build up a picture of where your advertising is being noticed

 

I always reach for the small local directories that come through the door, we have a parish newsletter with ads in and also a local town 'residents brochure' which also has ads in

[Mrs Webmuppet]

I tend to use Yell.com. I use my Yellow Pages to rest my heel on when I use the sustain pedal on my piano!

[Kirstine]

We still use Yellow Pages sometimes, as there are local traders still not on the Web. This is especially true for the more 'traditional' or low-overhead trades - I wouldn't look for a chimney sweep, firewood or skip rental on the net, I'd go to YP first, for example. However, for my local branch of Tesco or PC World it would be the net first. For something like a vet, chinese takeaway or hairdresser, I'd try both.

I did get the stove lit using pages from the the previous YP today, which is a bonus!

 

Kirstine