The number of adults using online classified services like Craiglist has doubled since 2005. The popularity using online classified sites is on an ever-increasing trend diminishing use of traditional, hard-copy newspapers. Where once an apartment or job seeker had to first locate a source to find and possibly buy a newspaper, seekers can now easily access classifieds online even from their favorite hand-held communication device.
A study released by the Pew Internet and American Life Project revealed that 49 percent of web users have placed an online classified or responded to one in 2010 – up 22 percent from 2005. Additionally, about 10 percent of users visit a classified site daily – a rise of four percent since 2005 according to the study. Add to the stats that American Internet users are typically in the demographic age from 25-44 – a prime group avidly sought by advertisers more significantly than other age groups and tend to seek out free classifieds.
Was there a mention the Gazette has launched FREE classifieds?
The Pew Research Center is a non-profit organization and recently surveyed more than 2,200 adults age 18 and older finding out:
- Households with incomes more than $50,000 annually used FREE classified sites than people earning less than $30,000.
- Fifty-four percent of college grads used online classifieds
- Although people older than 55 were less likely to use online classifieds, the ages 18-25 used them more frequently
- As newspaper classified use declines, online classifieds such as San Francisco-based Craiglist tallied 53.8 million unique visitors in March, 2012.
Furthermore, geo-specific online classifieds have a great appeal since Internet users do seek instant gratification and do not want to wade through a pool of classifieds where items – also services – cannot easily be obtained due to great physical distances. Unless a user is looking for a large ticket item, why travel from Lehigh Acres to Tampa for a good used refrigerator? If there is an actively, dependable and visibly local listing for items and services, why not use it since it is FREE.
Enter the Gazette.
The ads placed on the Gazette are free for the seller as well as the buyer. Go to: http://lehighacresgazette.info/class2/ or use the top of the page nav tab and simply register with a valid email (for notification purposes – no annoying phone numbers). Once registered, select the navigation tab “Submit an Ad.”Check out the category where the item will appear and select it. There will be a window with instructions for ad placement. Users can also add a photo. However, the pic must be NO LARGER THAN 198 pixels wide by 148 pixels deep.
Try out the Gazette Classifieds. Yes, they are brand new and may take a little while to catch on. But the Gazette will actively be promoting its use so these become the Number 1 source for classified advertising in the Lehigh Acres area.
…and they’re FREE!