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The interface is easy to use and adverts can be placed within a matter of a minute or so.

Placing of classifieds now much easier

Date: 19 November 2010 By: 

The Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror subtly introduced a new online classified booking system during the past month and this has already sparked a lot of enthusiasm from advertisers. Readers can place classified adverts on the newspaper group’s website, pay for it and have it displayed in both the online and printed editions.

According to Anton van Zyl, manager of the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror, the new system will create a lot more interest in the classified section. “The big drawcard is the ease of use and of course the affordability,” he says. By visiting the website (www.zoutnet.co.za) the users only need to click on the classified link and follow the quick steps to place a classified. The system has built-in deadlines for the different editions, which means that users can quickly and easily decide in what newspaper and what edition the ad must be placed.

Once an online booking is made, a confirmation email is sent to the advertiser with the payment details. The advert will appear as soon as the printed edition gets distributed. “At this stage the system is set up to accommodate online bank transfers, but we hope to streamline this,” Anton adds. The original idea was to use easy and very cost-effective pay systems such as the internationally used PayPal system, but this is not yet possible. PayPal has only started setting up systems in South Africa in the past year and at this stage it is not viable to implement it.

The classified system is in a beta phase at the moment and just two newspapers, the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror, are using it. Once all the teething problems have been sorted out, it will be expanded to include the other newspapers in the Limpopo Independent Newspaper group. This will effectively mean that the adverts will appear simultaneously in the online editions of all the participating newspapers. For an additional fee, users can also book adverts into the printed editions of these newspapers. This also has the added benefit for visitors to the site in that they can view all classifieds place in the participating newspapers.

“What makes the whole concept so attractive is the cost and ease of use,” Anton says. A small advert in the Zoutpansberger costs as little as R50, all inclusive. At no extra cost, advertisers can add a photo to the online edition. If they want to have the photo appear in the printed edition, the additional cost is only R60.

 
 
 

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