Small businesses look to buy more vertical online advertising displays

3/8/2011

Small business owners have traditionally used print mediums, such as local newspapers and Yellow Page spots, to advertise their products and services. However, according to a recent report from BIA/Kelsey, they are looking to spend more money on vertical online advertising.

Vertical advertising is the act of advertising through a number of publications within the same category. For example, if a company's services targeted businesspeople, they may advertise on all business related sites. While only 5 percent of small businesses currently use vertical online advertising, nearly two-thirds of respondents (64 percent) plan to do so over the course of 2011.

"More than half a billion dollars have recently poured into the local vertical media and advertising space," said Peter Krasilovsky, vice president and program director at BIA/Kelsey.

Now that small business owners have greater access to commercial loans, they can afford to spend their money on things like online advertising. This will help them generate new sales in the long run.