According to Webster's, the definition of advertising is "the action of calling something to the attention of the public using paid announcements." Most of the time when people hear this term they think of billboards, magazine ads, and television ads.
Advertising has taken on a new form thanks to the growth of the internet. Most websites, regardless of what their primary purpose may be, will have some type of advertising spot available.
A local newspaper site will have advertisements from different car dealers and restaurants. A sporting goods store may have a website that includes advertisements from the area coaches offering summer clinics. However, a lot of these advertisements get the same kind of treatment as their print counterpart; they are ignored.
How many times have you seen a billboard or magazine ad and completely blew by it without remembering what you read? Have you ever bought a major good or service because of some ad in the newspaper?
Most people rely on the recommendations of friends and family when purchasing almost any significant item. That's why it is so important to have a comprehensive website for your home improvement business. Posting pictures and videos of completed jobs will let people see your handy work.
But having a spot for happy clients to leave comments and testimonials will give you more credibility than any advertising. This type of uninvited authentic recommendation from customers is the heart and soul of any successful contracting company trying to win in a down economy.