If you're not listed, you're missing out.
More than 85 percent of Web users are using search engines to find the products or services they're looking for, but guess how many are using "local search terms?" You'll be surprised by the number.
According to a TMP Directional Marketing Local Search Usage study, 31 percent of consumers are now using search engines as their primary resource for local business information. Combined with IYPs (Internet Yellow Pages) and local search sites such as Google Maps or Yahoo Local, the online channel now accounts for 61 percent of all primary sources of local business information.
While local search isn't an entirely brand new technology, more users are starting to embrace it, and are searching with local terms in their keyword search both on desktops and mobile devices. Take a look at your analytics, and I bet you'll see some of your referred visitors are from local search. If not, then it's time to get going.
Why not? It's (mostly) free, after all, and within minutes you can sign up, add your business listing and be on your way to getting listed. The approval process for major search engines like Google vary, but it's worth the wait.
If you have an older website with some Web history, your site may have already been indexed by local search engines, but don't trust search engines to get your listing correct. You can "claim" your business listing and add additional information about your products, services, hours, reviews and even photos. It's like getting a FREE Yellow Pages ad.
Mary Bowling of the ClickZ network published a great article informing small businesses about some great (mostly free) tools for checking your listings. The best part is it's free with no sign up required. What a concept.
Local search is growing rapidly, and it's here to stay. This is definitely a trend that can significantly help the growth of your business locally, and can provide you with opportunities to reach every customer located within the zip code areas you service at little or no cost. So what are you waiting for? Get local today.
Would you like to learn more about getting your business listed in local search engines? Give us a call today, and we'll walk you through it.
