Adverts and their websites

Azza · 3 May 2009 at 00:12

Just wondering why do companies now say / have

"Search blah blah" instead of vist "www.blah blah.com"

on ads on TV now.

Anyone know?

sja · 3 May 2009 at 00:16

My initial thought is to do with spelling... search engines will generally correct mispelled search terms, but browsers won't correct mistyped URLs (usually).

Pestilence · 3 May 2009 at 00:32

Possibly because the majority of home users have so many bloody search toolbars and the like all over their screens they wouldn't know the Address Bar if it pistol whipped them.

/tech-support rant.

TheVoice · 3 May 2009 at 01:19

Before they even started doing this, I had wondered when it would start happening. I personally tend to google things anyway rather than use web addresses, so at least telling the viewer what to google means they're going to get to you to the relevant place, rather than "Go to www.companyname.co.uk/specificthingwewantyoutolookat", in which case people might not bother.

Mattus · 3 May 2009 at 03:44

For one thing, because the modern web is so search-driven. Your average internet user doesn't often navigate using URLs any more. He just Googles everything.

For another thing, because it's easier to remember a search term than a web address, and it builds brand recognition more effectively.

CliffyBiro · 3 May 2009 at 03:48

Mattus said:
Your average internet user doesn't often navigate using URLs any more. He just Googles everything.

Amp34 · 3 May 2009 at 14:42

But it also exposes customers to the competition.

If you search for a company you will find lots of competitors in the listings.

SB118 · 3 May 2009 at 15:38

Pestilence said:
Possibly because the majority of home users have so many bloody search toolbars and the like all over their screens they wouldn't know the Address Bar if it pistol whipped them.

/tech-support rant.

^^ this