The Classified Advertising Industry in 2023: Why It's Still Profitable

Mukarram Mugal Mukarram Mugal
26, Sep 2023
The Classified Advertising Industry in 2023: Why It's Still Profitable

The internet has had a positive impact on the classified ads industry. In the past, classified ads were primarily found in print publications, such as newspapers and magazines. However, today, the majority of classified ads are found online.

Online classified ads have a number of advantages over print classified ads. They are more affordable, they reach a wider audience, and they are more convenient for buyers and sellers. As a result, the online classified ads industry has grown rapidly in recent years.

In 2022, the global classified advertising market was valued at $26.2 billion, and is expected to grow to $38.2 billion by 2028. Source

This article will discuss about classified advertising.



What is Classified Advertising?

Classified advertising is a type of advertising that is typically short and to the point. It is well organized into categories. So, they have made it easier for individuals to buy and sell goods and services, and to find jobs and housing.

screenshot-classic-listing (1).jpg

Classified ads have had a significant impact on society, both economically and socially.

Economically, classified ads have made it easier for businesses to reach a wider audience and to sell their products and services. They have also helped to create new businesses and industries, such as the online classifieds industry.

Socially, classified ads have helped to connect people with similar interests and needs. They have also helped to promote community building and local economic development.

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Why Classified Ads Are Still Relevant?

Classified ads are popular because they are cost-effective and easy to use. 

They offer 

  • an economical way to reach a broad audience

  • are easy to post and manage

  • and can be tailored to target specific demographics or geographic regions. 

These characteristics make them an appealing choice for both individuals and businesses.

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Types of Classified Advertising.

Classified ads span a wide spectrum of categories, catering to various needs. Some of the most common types of classified ads include:

  • Jobs: These ads spotlight job openings or job seekers, connecting career opportunities with eager talent.

  • Real Estate: In this category, you'll find ads showcasing properties available for sale, rent, or lease, transforming your dream home into reality.

  • Vehicles: Car enthusiasts rejoice, as these ads offer vehicles for sale or rent, helping you hit the road in style.

  • Services: Looking for a helping hand? Service ads encompass everything from tutoring to plumbing, making life's tasks more manageable.

  • Merchandise: In this category, where personal belongings like furniture, electronics, and clothing are up for grabs.

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Examples of Online Classified Ads

Online classified ads and special category portals in 2023:

Jobs

  • Indeed

  • LinkedIn

  • Monster

  • CareerBuilder

  • Naukri.com (India)

Real Estate

  • Zillow

  • Trulia

  • Realtor.com

  • Apartments.com

  • MagicBricks.com (India)

Vehicles

  • AutoTrader

  • Cars.com

  • Edmunds

  • Kelley Blue Book

  • CarDekho.com (India)

Services

  • Angie's List

  • Thumbtack

  • Handy

  • TaskRabbit

  • UrbanClap (India)

General

  • Craigslist

  • Facebook Marketplace

  • eBay Classifieds

  • Kijiji (Canada)

  • OLX (India)

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Online Classified vs. Display Ads

Online classified ads and display ads are two different types of online advertising. Classified ads are typically text focused and are organized into categories. Display ads, on the other hand, can include text, images, and videos, and can be placed anywhere on a website.

Feature

Online Classified Ads

Display Ads

Type of ad

Text-only

Can include text, images, and videos

Placement

Organized into categories

Can be placed anywhere on a website

Cost

Generally less expensive

Generally more expensive

Visual appeal

Less visually appealing

More visually appealing

Audience

Reaches a local audience

Reaches a wider audience

Purpose

To sell goods and services quickly and easily

To increase brand awareness and generate leads

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Ad SPENDING on Classifieds

General, Jobs, Motor, Real Estate and Total.png

Source: Statista Market Insights

Last update: August 2023

As you can see, the total ad spending on classifieds is expected to increase from 17.54 billion USD in 2017 to 22.98 billion USD in 2027. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1%.

The category with the highest ad spending is real estate, followed by jobs and motor. Real estate ad spending is expected to reach 6.43 billion USD in 2027, while jobs ad spending is expected to reach 5.43 billion USD and motor ad spending is expected to reach 4.60 billion USD.

The general category, which includes classified ads for all other categories, is expected to account for 6.52 billion USD in ad spending in 2027.

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Ad SPENDING SHARE Desktop & Mobile

Classifieds Desktop and Classifieds Mobile (1).png

Source: Statista Market Insights

Last update: August 2023

As you can see, the ad spending share for desktop classifieds has been declining steadily over the years, while the ad spending share for mobile classifieds has been increasing. In 2017, desktop classifieds accounted for 62% of ad spending, while mobile classifieds accounted for 38% of ad spending. By 2027, it is estimated that mobile classifieds will account for 50% of ad spending, while desktop classifieds will account for 50% of ad spending.

This trend is likely due to the increasing popularity of mobile devices. More and more people are using their smartphones and tablets to browse the internet, and this includes searching for classified ads. Mobile classifieds are also more convenient for users, as they can be accessed from anywhere at any time.

 

The growth of classified ad spending is positive. It is a good sign to Start Your Own Classified Ads Website.

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Top Classifieds Websites in India

Similarweb has ranked the top five classifieds websites in India for August 2023. The top five websites are:

  1. olx.in

  2. quikr.com

  3. livechennai.com

  4. exportersindia.com

  5. jsdl.in

Analysis by Similarweb-

Olx.in is the most visited classifieds website in India, followed by quikr.com and livechennai.com. These three websites are all general classifieds websites, meaning that they offer a wide variety of listings.

Exportersindia.com and jsdl.in are more specialized classifieds websites. Exportersindia.com is focused on helping businesses export their products and services, while jsdl.in is focused on helping people to find information about local business or services.

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The profitability of a classified advertising website.

The profitability of a classified advertising website can vary depending on a number of factors, including:

  • The size and traffic of the website

  • The niche or industry that the website focuses on

  • The types of monetization strategies that the website uses

  • The costs associated with running the website

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How do classified websites make money?

some of the ways that classified advertising websites can generate revenue:

  • Charging for premium listings— Premium listings are typically placed higher on the website and include additional features, such as more photos, videos, and detailed descriptions. Businesses and individuals are often willing to pay a premium for their listings to be seen by more potential buyers.

Quickad-Classified (1).png

  • Selling advertising space— Classified advertising websites can sell advertising space to businesses that want to reach their target audience. The cost of advertising space can vary depending on the placement and size of the ad.

Ad space (1)_1.png

  • Charging transaction fees— Some classified advertising websites charge a fee for each transaction that is completed on their website. This fee is typically paid by the seller of the item.

dashboard (1)_1.png

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Starting Your Own Classified Ads Website

Starting your own classified ads website can be a profitable venture, but it is important to be aware of the challenges involved. One of the biggest challenges is competing with existing classified ad websites. These websites have a large user base and a lot of experience in the industry. To compete with these websites, you will need to offer something unique and valuable.

Another challenge is attracting users and advertisers. You will need to promote your website to potential users and convince them to use your website instead of existing classified ad websites. You will also need to convince businesses to advertise on your website.

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QuickAD #1 Selling Best Classified Ads Php Script

QuickAD is a premium classified ads script that can be used to create a professional classified ads website. It is easy to use and customize, and it comes with a variety of features that make it a great option for businesses of all sizes.

Quickad-Classified (2) (1).png

Benefits of using QuickAD:

  • Is it easy to use and customize?

-> QuickAD  comes with a user-friendly interface and a variety of customization options, so you can create a website that matches your branding and needs.

  • Is it packed with features?

-> QuickAD  comes with a variety of features that make it a great option for classified ads websites, such as a powerful search engine, a user-friendly ad posting system, and a variety of payment options.

  • Is it scalable?

-> QuickAD  can be scaled to meet the needs of any business, from small businesses to large enterprises.


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Easiest and most effective web application to let you build a classified ads website of cutting-edge quality aiming at creating similar classified marketplace clone (olx, quickr and more) with all the required features of a classified website.

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