June 06, 2006
Topix.net has joined the free classified markets adding the offer to post to the site listings for housing, jobs, private party items, services, events and "local shops." This has been going on for several months, as topix.net users know, but it is starting to gain some buzz from its steady, gradual growth.
At this time they are adding approximately 300 listings a day, which for an unpromoted service isn't too bad. This should begin to grow a lot quicker soon.
Clickz comments:
"Google's contextually-targeted AdSense ads accompany Topix.net's classified listings and other content. Although the classifieds are currently only targeted by geographical location, Tolles expects that they might be organized by vertical category in the future."
"Topix has other ad units that appear on local news pages. On this page the top and bottom content are contextually and locally targeted ad units. Regarding classifieds, Topix will likely be able to charge for featured listings at some future point when classifieds reach some level of "critical mass." The site may also create a "marketplace" or entry point where users can enter and search or browse classifieds directly by location."
The major point for online marketers is that you can advertise your local business here for free. I would grab the opportunity here while it is still available. As we've been pushing at The Alpha Marketer quite a bit: local online advertising will give any business an edge over their competitors.
