Maybe you are not like us. Maybe when you hear the words “Integrated Forum Ad Server” you don’t go into a state of ecstasy. But this is really one of the greatest things since…well since forums.
So what is an integrated forum ad server? The Business Dictionary describes an ad server as:
Quote:
Computer system which stores, maintains and serves (uploads) advertising banners for one or more websites. Ad servers program, track, and report several statistics about website visitors which are used by advertisers to custom tailor ads and offers to suit different categories of visitors.
If that is not clear what it basically does is connects advertisers to web sites that want to host advertisements. The key function of an ad network is aggregation of ad space supply from publishers and matching it with advertiser demand.
What is unique about the CrowdGather forum ad server is that for the first time advertisers will have a safe, reliable means to reach people in the vertical interest markets of forums. Forums attract niche audiences and up until now it has been difficult to reach these audiences because the majority of forums are too small to show up on the radar of traditional ad networks.
But the value of marketing to forums is really huge. According to Zacks Research, forum users are generally 3.5x more likely to recommend a purchase, 4x more likely to post reviews online, and 3.5x more likely to share new products. Moreover, many forums target very specific niches that can even include specific products, such as Nintendo games and consoles on Nsider2.com.
So the forum ad network that we are developing is:
Quote:
Similar to self-service options available to advertisers on Google or Facebook Ads, marketers will be able to login and upload creative and run banners on specific forums. The result could be higher CPM rates and higher revenues for forum operators. Advertisers will get the benefit of targeted, niche communities filled with enthusiasts, but by connecting all these micro-communities together in vertical interest networks, CrowdGather’s ad server will also provide larger advertisers with much needed scale for their campaigns. In addition to display advertising options, CrowdGather will also offer advertisers the opportunity to market to users via content marketing through sponsored posts.
If that doesn’t get you going we don’t really know what will! This new product lets you reach a highly motivated, previously untapped audience through a flexible and scalable platform!
So stay tuned. We are in beta test now and plan on launching as early as Fall 2012.