Local Businesses Computer Software Web Tips Guide
Local Businesses Online Attracting New Customers
By Dirk C Wallace
According to the Kelsey Group, 70% of U.S. households use the
internet as the primary source of information, "when shopping
locally for products and services." Furthermore, they found
that 27% of a person’s total internet searching was specifically
for local business resources.
To reach their target market, local businesses need to let search
engines and internet users know what markets they specialize in.
Especially given the penny-pinching these days, Americans want
to review their options and know which city businesses are closest
to their home, workplace or school to shave off commute time and
save a few bucks, which is why small businesses should align themselves
with local search sites.
Finding Businesses In The Local Area
According to a 2008 ComScore study, there are several ways people
will find businesses in their local area. The most common way
is through the search engine, researching without a particular
brand in mind. These web users may type a long term like "inexpensive
paint company Marietta Georgia" to narrow their search.
These people are ready to act. The second most common way to
find local business listings is through the Yellow Pages or the
White Pages. Another 19% of a business’s leads come from internet
business directories and 11% stems from sites like Google Maps
or Yahoo Local.
Internet Yellow Pages
Eighty percent of a consumer purchases are initiated within a
five-mile radius from his or her home, says Justin Sanger, President
of LocalLaunch. "Internet Yellow Pages (IYP) now emulate
the pure search functionality of web search engines," Sanger
proudly declares.
"Visitors can now view rich content beyond standard contact
information." He adds that local businesses can add videos,
consumer reviews, photos, pricing information, menus and driving
directions. He stresses that these businesses have to get inside
the minds of their target audience. Yes, they want convenience,
but what else?
They want local information, valuable content, at-a-glance information
and directions, yet the option of viewing elaborate multimedia
presentations if they so choose. The industry is rapidly developing,
the passionate Sanger says, and the print version of the yellow
pages is dead.
Free Of Charge Listing Of Your Business Contact Information
Local businesses should check out Microsoft Live, Google Maps,
Yahoo Local, Superpages and the Online Yellow Pages, where they
can list their contact information, usually free of charge. These
sites are continually adding more user-friendly features to keep
up with the barrage of demands from internet users.
For example, Microsoft added an "auto suggest" feature
to make data entry quicker and offers "bird’s eye" imagery.
Google Maps allows users to search right inside a small pop-up
window and gain contact info, without navigating away from the
search page. It seems like the local search is poised for further
growth well into 2009 and 2010.
About the Author:
Dirk C Wallace has written a number of articles on Small Business, Business Software, Computers and Internet Security including
Business Directory,
Online Directory,
Business Tax Software,
Customer Support,
CRM Software,
Turbo Tax Software,
Computer Security Handbook,
Computer Instruction.
Keep a lookout for more of his articles on this website.
Did You Know This About Business Directories?
What information should I include in my business directory?
A business directory is a place that people
turn too if they are looking for a business that they need. So
certain information is vital. You should always have the name
of your business and the telephone number. You should also be
sure to include a valid address.
If you have a website then you should definitely
include that in the directory. With this being a digital age many
people want to see the business that they will be dealing with.
Even if you do not offer products online, you should still have
a website that includes all of your business information. It may
seem redundant since that same information is in the directory
but many people will simple Google for a business that they need.
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