What are the pros and cons of advertising?

Answer 1

Pros: * Folks might notice your ad when they're focused on something else.

Cons:

* Folks will notice that your ad is annoying and they will deliberately avoid doing business with you and they will block future content from appearing. * They are bad for accessibility because it is often difficult for visually impaired people to notice a new window has become available and many screen readers do not know how to appropriately deal with them and thus is confusing. * Pop-up blockers are implemented into all of the mainstream browsers (either built in or as a plug in), so many users will never see your pop-up windows, even if the interaction was requested by the user, unless that user (knows how to) disable the pop-up blocker. This results in many complaints that the website simply does not work for them as they are unable to view requested (and unrequested) information. Since blockers are so widely deployed, many users don't even know what pop ups are and how to enable them.

* On top of all that, many pop ups have a timer on them and this leads to even more frustration for the user who cannot read them fast enough (what was that?).

Answer 2

Advertising's Biggest Advantages

• You have complete control.

Unlike public relations efforts, you determine exactly where, when and how often your message will appear, how it will look, and what it will say. You can target your audience more readily and aim at very specific geographic areas and vertical markets.

• You can be consistent, presenting your company's image and sales message repeatedly to build awareness and trust.

A distinctive identity will eventually become clearly associated with your company, like McDonald's golden arches. Customers will recognize you quickly and easily - in ads, mailers, packaging or signs - if you present yourself consistently.

What Are Advertising's Drawbacks?

• It takes planning.

Advertising works best and costs least when planned and prepared in advance. For example, you'll pay less per ad in newspapers and magazines by agreeing to run several ads over time rather than deciding issue by issue. Likewise, you can save money by preparing a number of ads at once.

• It takes time and persistence.

The effectiveness of your advertising improves gradually over time, because customers don't see every one of your ads.

• You must repeatedly remind prospects and customers about the benefits of doing business with you.

The long-term effort triggers recognition and helps special offers or direct marketing pay off.

• Advertising costs money.

Advertising is only one tool in your sales and marketing arsenal and its cost-effectiveness has to be compared to other business building tactics. Is it better to hire a new sales rep or place an advertisement in the local newspaper? You should always consider your ROI and your opportunity costs before you start an advertising campaign.