Getting Your Business Listed For Local Search Is Just The First Step

The Public has Embraced Local Search and Want to do More

Although Local Search only caught on in the last year, such queries already account for over 36% of allsearch engine queries. When a person adds a geographic term (like city, town, or zip code) to their searchquery, the results only show them the small pool of businesses located within that area - and not necessarilyall of them.

Entering the search terms: "garden supply" + Denver only returns gardening stores in Denver - ratherthan the many thousands listed in the Google database. They're even shown clustered on a map, to helpthe searcher easily spot the closest ones.

That's significant since people prefer to shop on the basis of convenience. Research shows that over50% of Yellow Page directory users scan for location first, before deciding which ads to read or consider.Local Search simplifies that preference further.

Too Many Small and Mid-sized Businesses are Missing the Boat

Their widespread mistake comes from assuming that the Internet is not crucial for their brick and mortaroperations. The main reason for people going online is not to buy online. They find it more convenient(that word again) and faster than the traditional methods like Yellow Pages or newspaper ads.

A study by ComScore Networks in December, 2004 showed that most people who research products online purchasethem from stores in their own community. That study found that 25% of those searching for electronicsor computers made purchases. But 92% of those purchases occurred offline. Nearly 40% of searches resultedin sales as much as five to 12 weeks after the initial search.

Getting Listed in Key Data Bases Give You a Shot at Being Found

You need to make it easy for buyers to find you and choose you when they search online. There's not asingle place to "sign up" because there are numerous search engines, Internet Yellow Pages (IYP), andindustry-related data bases. Check our whether your business appears on various prominent sites, localsearchresources.com.You do not need to be a techie or have a website to show up in Local Search results.

But you have to get into the game. Many small businesses don't show up most places. And that's frustratingfor searchers and unwise for them.

Provide Precisely the Information that People are Looking for

What do people who buy what you provide look for? It's up to you to supply the information they want- hours of operation, payment options, specialized services or credentials, brands carried, etc. Whatthey need to know varies depending on your type of operation. Also, it doesn't hurt to provide helpfulbuying tips and specifications, too.

Here's how online searches are miles ahead of the Yellow Page directory. That's printed just once a yearand is out of date by the time it reaches the public. But the ad is small (even if it's a large displayad) compared to what can be spelled out on a website.

So once you know your business is showing up in the searches, it's time to beef up your website (or webpresence on a portal) so that you stand out in the searches. Then you should start modifying your companypolicies and practices to make them mesh with your online activities.

You'll Reach the Customers you Want the Most

Just to provide an additional incentive for you to wade into having an online presence, those who relyheavily on Internet searches are better educated, earn more, and make larger average purchases than thosewho rely on the Yellow Page directory. With a Yellow Page ad plus an online presence, you'll be findableby most of the people who are at the point of making a purchase.

My future articles will show how to develop a Local-Search-friendly website or business policies. You'llredefine how you provide customer service. Going to the trouble to better serve your Internet-savvy customerswill give you an edge compared to your competition.

Your Need to Act is Urgent - Treat this as Front Burner

People prefer to spend their money close to home. But they won't spend it with you if you don't showup in the places where they're looking. This trend is customer-driven. They like using Local Search,and just wish the information could be more complete. Even the search engines are scrambling to get aheadof this parade. And you need to do so as well.

Getting Your Business Listed For Local Search Is Just The First Step
The Public has Embraced Local Search and Want to do More Although Local Search only caught on in the last year, such queries already account for over 36% of all search engine queries.
Optimizing Your Website For Local Searchers
Most website owners optimize their website for targeted keyword phrases but many miss out on one of the most effective methods of website optimization - local search optimization.
Google Local
This tutorial will show a small business owner how to (1) set up a Google Local account (2) How to use Google Local (3) How to Manage Google Local (4) How to optimize your Google Local account.
Search Engine Wars - Quality Searches vs Quantity!
It is no secret that Google and Yahoo are on a continuous battle to win our hearts and get everyone to convert, but is converting someone really a matter of the quantity or the quality?
Use Your Yellow Page Savings To Finance Your Internet Local Search Visibility
Most small businesses that have a storefront or provide a service are committed to a Yellow Page directory ad. It was a safe bet, since buyers went to the directory when they were ready to buy.
Finding Old Domains to Get Indexed Faster
The first step in the process is to find an old domain. There is a more complicated explanation for this but all you really need to know is that the search engines favour domains that are established and have a longer history because they perceive that they are an older and hence more credible sourc...
Local Search Makes Your Business A Big Fish In Your Local Community
The Internet Contains Billions of Website Pages - All Clamoring for Attention With so many competing websites, its unlikely that yours could stand out among them. Until recently, you faced near-impossible odds. Search engine results lost the little guys in back pages, where no one ever look...
Local Web Wars
Driving into work today, I realized Cincinnati is in the midst of a local Web war.
CincyMLS is a board of realtors Web site that tracks all real estate listed with any Cincinnati realtor. What the site lacks in design is more than made up for in its utility...
Hunting For Online Directories - The In depth Strategy
9/10 times your web site visitors wont stay for more than 15 seconds. This is how you get them to stay, or should I say, get them to come back! For most of you, your web site is a great brochure. It probably outlines your services very well. Theres nothing wrong with that what-so-ever!..
Configure a virtual directory using WAMP
Simple guide on how to configure a root folder for a PHP web site using WAMP server.