Local Search
Helping Local Businesses Find Local Clients
Local search options deliver real results for small businesses with local clients, often at no cost.
Any business looking to build its online presence needs to be absolutely sure that they are included in local search listings. A growing majority of your potential customers will start their search for goods and services with an online search. Search engines are more and more sensitive to location and will filter out results, giving local information first. In fact whenever you do a search, typically local results are listed at the top of the page before all others. Because people prefer to do business with those closest to them, it makes sense to be at the top of the local search listings in your area.
Some of the most common and recognizable of the local search tools are Google local, Yahoo local and Bing local. Most of them have a map feature included showing where local businesses are geographically located. This enables clients to get an idea of where you are physically and in many cases, physical proximity and neighborhood will factor into the decision of whether or not to use a particular local business. If you are in an industry with a lot of competition, it is even more important to be listed on local searches as customers will often make their purchases within a couple of miles of their home or workplace.
It is very important to check the local search listings for the search engines that are most prominent. You should be listed there free of charge if your company has appeared in the print Yellow Pages. However, occasionally omissions happen. Make sure your information is correct in all the local search listings, as it can hurt your bottom line if it is not. Most search engines build their local search listings based on information found in one of two different business directories. If your company information is inaccurate with one firm, it will also likely be inaccurate with others. Remember to update online local search listings with new contact information on a timely basis. You can make changes and request to be included on local listings by using the contact form found on the search engine page.
As online searches for practically everything, even local goods and services, are making directories and phone books a thing of the past, having an accurate representation there is critical. If you want local customers to find you, local search listings are the place to be. Take the time to be sure you are listed accurately, so those looking for what you sell can find you fast.
For more information on having MarketBlazer guide your business to
the next level in marketing, call (770) 406-6343 or email us at
info@marketblazer.com.
