Death Of Paid Classified Listings

July 24, 2008 by Geoff Jennings 

I have been having some interesting discussions recently regarding the potential of Google Maps in job listings. The jury is still out on that one…

However Google Maps is clearly trying to muscle in on the paid classified listings market for local business owner dollars. Compared to the current offerings out there (Yellow Pages/Sensis) it’s a free service (unless you use Adwords) but that will come at a cost. Don’t expect any great personal service or phone calls asking you to update your business details. Log in an error if you or your customers can’t find your location. Don’t expect it be a major priority of the search giant to fix straight away either.

Additionally, other online free options are available through networks like LinkedIn. (click on this link and join my network) They are pushing the fact that the first point of call if you are in need of some professional services should be your LinkedIn network of contacts asking for suggestions or introductions.

Time will tell if these free services will be the death of the traditional business listing including job listings…

Filed Under: Online Recruitment News
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Comments

5 Responses to “Death Of Paid Classified Listings”

  1. Craig on July 24th, 2008 11:46 am

    I am unconvinced of the value of Google Maps integration with jobs sites. I have previously done integration with Real Estate sites and it works well. The reasons I don’t believe it works well with jobs is:
    1. The location of the job you are looking for is not as important. Anywhere within a 10 mile radius is close enough for most people.
    2. Most job ads are placed by agents who are reluctant to release details of the company until you get given an interview.

  2. Geoff Jennings on July 24th, 2008 2:51 pm

    Hi Craig

    Congrats on launching your site http://www.jobtree.com.au

    Seems to function well and is simple enough looking. Have you got a revenue model sorted out?

    I can’t stop singing, “Tie a yellow ribbon round the old job tree…”

    Cheers
    Geoff

  3. Thomas Shaw on July 24th, 2008 3:01 pm

    Hi Craig, It was actually me who started up the discussion about job search via maps. I would be happy to send you some of the discussions around it.

    Were you the creator of baseestate.com?? :)

  4. Craig on July 24th, 2008 3:41 pm

    Geoff. I do have a revenue model and business plan. I am sure you have soon good thoughts on this so feel free to send me an email. :-)

    Thomas. I would like to hear more about your thoughts on job search by map. I did create baseestate.com. BaseEstate was based largely on the idea that Google Base would one day come to Australia. Needless to say, I am still waiting. If Google Base comes here, BaseEstate may be revived.

  5. Thomas Shaw on August 5th, 2008 11:42 am

    I also found this other instance of googlemaps in search:

    http://www.jobs4careers.com.au/job/mapsearchv1.php

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