Craigslist.org, established in 1999 is a great source for local classifieds and forums in more than 550 cities in over 50 countries worldwide. With over 40 million people in the U.S. logging on each month,   Craigslist.org is quickly becoming a key cost-effective  lead generating source for web and store based businesses.

 

Half your battle in retail is getting the customer engaged and in your store – so why not use Craiglist? Craigslist is a great way to get rid of “scratch and dent” floor models or to use a loss leader to get the customer’s attention. Once the customer is in the store, perhaps they can be sold on a few more products to go along with the original item. Although the postings need continuous updates, the Craigslist classifieds are free and generate traffic that lead to higher ticket sales.

 

While the Craigslist buyer has generally been labeled a “bargain shopper”, it doesn’t always mean they have a small budget for their exercise needs.   A retailer we deal with recently installed a home gym in an $800,000 home with a lead generated through Craigslist. Craiglist is a starting point for a lot of consumers in this economy.  If you can get them in the store with a specific item, you get more opportunities to work other products into the mix.   

 

E-commerce dealers can also use Craigslist to advertise their web address. An advertisement, which is placed in an appropriate location on Craigslist can have the effect of reaching a very large audience. 

 

For successful businesses, creativity in marketing strategies and lead generation are the keys to survival in a struggling economy. Craigslist can be a great partner in achieving this success.