Local search is the term used to describe a person typing in their location to find a local business or service provider; for example “florist in Hammersmith.”
If you are a local business there is a huge increase in the number of people using the internet to find their local service provider or product and your business needs to have a presence on the web to make sure they find you. Whether it is van hire or finding a local campsite in a particular part of the country the internet has become one of the easiest ways for people to find the local information they want and they don’t have to be at home to find you either. Mobile searches – whether done on a mobile phone or lap top on the train are also becoming popular ways for people to search for a local business.
If I am on my way from London to Manchester and want to find a local cab company to take me from the station to my destination I can search while I am on the train and have the car waiting for me when I arrive.
So local search is being used by an increasing number of people and US research has predicted it is only going to increase – in fact the search engines are taking it very seriously and are doing more to help local businesses get found online.
The great news is you don’t have to wait until you have a website or blog to get yourself on the front page of the search engines – you can simply add other detail including:
- Your business address
- A description of what your business does
- Your opening hours
- Photo and video information
- A local map will appear automatically once you type in your business address so people who find you will know exactly where you are located.
- You are also given an option to add coupons that people can download and use when they visit your business.
The three major search engines – Google, Yahoo and Bing (MSN) all provide free local business listings in their local search centre.
What are the advantages of adding your local business?
The major advantage is you can get yourself loads of new customers using the internet because research has shown that when people are looking to buy something they search within 20 miles of their location.
Plus research has also shown that over 60% of people who find a local service provider/product go on to buy something from the business they find.
If you do have a website then it is an opportunity for you to attract more visitors to your website and once they arrive hopefully you have some great offers to make them to ensure they stick around!
Your local business has a unique opportunity here to take advantage of potential customers searching for your local business. Take the first step and complete your profile in the three major search engines. If you need support with creating a local search marketing plan that will help you outline some of the different things you can do to get your local business found register to receive our free ecourse.
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