RefreshClassifieds

RealEstate.com.au in Australia is reporting that they have renewed their agreement with NineMSN.com.au.  The Nine MSN web supports a joint ventured formed between MSN and Nine TV, one of Australia’s leading media companies.  The deal gives RealEstate.com.au exclusive access to Real Estate classified listings off the NineMSN.com.au site.  For real estate agents it means they can take advantage of the additional exposure and 8M monthly visitors to the NineMSN site.

MSN has done a good world wide of securing prominent media positions and the reselling components like real estate classifieds to partners.  As Microsoft, its parent company, becomes more involved with classifieds through its Live Expo classified server, its not clear what this will mean to local classified relationships.   Live Expo launched over a year ago and has most of its listings from the Seattle, WA region.

Nuance Communications has launched a new directory assistant service called Say Hello.  The service allows consumers to get easy access to directory listings via their home or mobile phone.  The service uses speech recognition to match callers with the best business directory available and where speech recognition is possible a human operator will assist the caller.  By providing a high level of automation the Say Hello service is able to provide a good cost savings over human operators and still ensure a good level of service.

The service can also be deployed with audio ads included.  For example the Florida Times-Union newspaper launched the service with 10-15s audio ads included.  The Florida Times-Union newspaper service is free but support by the additional sale of the audio ads.

Nuance Communications plans to roll out the service to over 200 cities across the US by partnering with local directory advertisers.

Cozybug.com has launched a Facebook Application to promote its advertising services inside Facebook.  The Facebook Application platform allows third-party applications to extend Facebook’s base functionality.  The CozyBug.com Facebook Application connects the users listings between CozyBug.com and Facebook.  Unfortunately the application does require a Cozybug.com user name and account so users have to leave Facebook to create an account.  Once they setup an account their classified ads can appear inside Facebook, including their profile page.

Facebook has already created a Marketplace Classified application and its not clear how the Cozybug.com application hopes to differentiate.  The Facebook Marketplace application is installed by default for all users but the Cozybug.com application needs to be found and installed.  Currently there are 9 active users of the CozyBug.com application and several million of the Marketplace application.  In addition Facebook has recently launched a new book sharing component showing that it still intends to evolve the Marketplace application.

IQZone, a creative mobile applications company, has officially launched its mobile classifieds site today.

The site allows you to upload a classified ad, with a photo, video or plain text for free and of course all done through your cell phone. Those without a mobile phone are still welcome to IQZone as the site provides alternative ad placement options, such as placing an ad directly online or email. Even with other ad placement options under their belt, IQZone holds their mobile application as their flagship product and it is marketed as such to be their differentiator in the classified game.

The sites classifications still need some fine tuning - searching for cars, but getting an ad for a home was somewhat frustrating. However, the site creators have been smart in finding ways to maximize exposure for their advertisers making it a not so bad option for sellers. Through placing an ad with IQZone, you not only get listed on their site, but your ad will also have placement on Oodle, Google Base and Google Search (formerly Froogle).

Classifieds are evidently only one facet of IQZone’s capabilities. Here, users can share photos, connect with friends and use the application to promote events. Sounds like other social networking sites, but this one places its mobile classified application at the start of the line.

When the web first started online directories were all the rage and many of the leading directories still exit but are consumers using them.  For example the Yahoo Directory or the Open Directory Project have millions of business listings but are they every used.  Today it seems that most of these directories attract businesses that are more interested in increasing their search engine ranking.  Google for example puts a higher price on links from directories as they show the company to be more reputable.

With the popularity and improvements to search engines it seems unlikely that anyone is using these directories as their structured.  For example Google just launched an update to their own directory based on the Open Directory Project.  The first option on the directory is to search the directory but Google still presents all the different directory categories for people to browse.  Does anyone every browse these categories?  It took me 8 clicks to get to local listings for “Toronto” .    I think most people would prefer to search but what is the advantage of searching the directory vs the default Google search?

A quick search comparing Google.com and Directory.Google.com for Dentists Show in Toronto displayed the following:

The results are similar but I think the Google Search actually provides a better connection with local businesses.  Google includes a map and automatically connects the user to Local Search because I’ve entered “Toronto” as part of my search.  The Directory listings contain no map and no connection to local search.

Most of the successful online business directories, including the Yellow Pages, have adopts a more search oriented approach to business listings and abandoned the directory browsing methodology.  Its not clear to me why search sites like Google see any value in this out of date methodology.

Tribune Co reported their revenue Friday and their classified revenue has fallen by 18.2%.  In the classified advertising Real Estates declined by 24%, Employment ads by 19% and Autmotive by 14%. The companies publications include the Chicago Tribune and Los Angelos Times.

Looking at the companies online sites it would appear that little of their own online classified offering.   For example the Chicago Tribune site has the following online classified partnerships:

• Homescape.com for Real Estate
• CareerBuilder.com for Employment
• Cars.com for Automotive
• Eharmony for Dating
• Gadzoo.com for Pets

With all these partnerships the Chicago Tribune is left with little online experience for classified users.  The site further complicates the experience between each vertical so users don’t have any association between looking for a car, and then returning to look for a home.

The only experience the Chicago Tribune really control is their print publications and the value of this going forward might be limited.  It looks like companies like the Tribune have dug their own holes while creating quick partnerships with online sites and not developing their own online experience or loyalty.

In our travels to find what’s new in classifieds, we came across another video classified site, ‘Real People Real Stuff’.

The site itself, launched at the beginning of May this year and today it houses hundreds of interesting video ads. On Real People Real Stuff you can sell practically anything - ads posted on the site cover divorcees selling their wedding tuxedos, through to nifty videos advertising car pooling services. What I found most interesting about the site is the energy and effort private advertisers are putting into their video ads. Showing that not only is the site serving a utilitarian need (sell something), but people are having a lot of fun in the process.

In terms of functionality, a seller can be assured that the site supports all of the standard video hardware formats (digital camera, cell phone, camcorder and web-cam). Placing an ad is free and you are allowed 30 words, as descriptive text. As a buyer, you will find standard classified options that allow you to search by category, most recently added and by geography.

This Virginia based start up has plans to invest more of their dollars behind the marketing of the video ad site, as they understand that the classified space is a content game. Yet still, for being only three months old, the site has gone international and has not done too bad with amassing content in the US.

ClickIndia.com has re-categorized its classified and community site.  The re-categorization of the site is designed to make it easier for users but classified sites have traditionally struggled when changing categorizes.  Users become very familiar with existing categorizes it becomes very hard to get them to access a new approach.  ClickIndia.com appears to have execute the move successfully and spent a lot of time listening to its users.

One interesting category for the India market is the Matrimonials,
Brides seeking Grooms , and Grooms seeking Brides   categories.  Arranged marriages in India are very common and there is a huge industry built around supporting families, brides and grooms that are trying to connect. 

Livedeal.com has added topic based discussion Forums similar to those found on Craigslist. The forums provide an opportunity for further discussion on local purchases. For example “How to find a vet?” or “What is the best movie?”. The forums should also provide the ability to for buyers & sellers to discuss fraud issues and raise aware about less than reputable people. Forum groups include:

• LiveDeal Q&A
• LiveDeal Lounge
• LiveDeal’s Newest Features
• Super Seller Forum
• Special Events
• Local Notices

Inside each group discussions topics can vary and its not clear how much Livedeal will be moderating the forums. The Livedeal does have a terms of service that allows them to remove whatever content they choose. Livedeal.com has been making aggressive moves to become more social with both its classifieds and directory businesses. Livedeal.com recently added ratings to its Directory service. The next step for Livedeal.com might be ratings for classified buyers & sellers similar to Ebay.

News.com.au is reporting that classified sites in Australia are posting record profits.  The Seek.com.au employment site reported a $55M net profit and RealEstate.com.au reported a $15M net profit.   Both sites increased profits by over 60% and are bullish about the future of classifieds in Australia.

In Australia it would appear the migration of print classified to online is behind and both sites expect to see profits raise.  A quick look of the free sites in Australia show relatively low traffic, example Craigslist in Sydney showed very few employment or real estate listings.

I think the real challenge for classifieds in Australia will likely come from free competitors.  Craigslist or another free site will surely launch a strong free model that will start to effect the paid classified market.