What is “local search” & why is it so important to your business?
When I refer to “local search”, I’m referring to someone in your city or town, typing a search term in their internet browser, for a product or service that you provide. It’s really that simple. And with each day that passes, more & more consumers are using the internet to find exactly what they’re looking for. Will they find your business?
Here’s a little test. Pick 5 or 10 search terms that relate to your business, that a client or customer might be searching for. For instance, you own a veterinary business that also provides grooming & boarding services. Now put yourself in the customer’s shoes and imagine some things they might look for, (little hint here…most people looking for a local product or service will use this format, “product yourcity” or “service yourcity”)
So a potential customer might search for, “vet yourcity”, “dog grooming yourcity”, “dog boarding yourcity”, “cat declawing yourcity”, “spay dog yourcity” and the list goes on. Once you have a list for your business, type those keyword searches into Google and see if your business is on the first page or not? (People rarely look much past the first page of results…if you aren’t on the first page, you likely won’t be found or given much credibility if you are found).
So you think, “who cares…I’ve got my very expensive, full page color ad in the Yellow Pages…why do I care about the internet?” It’s inevitable…phone books are on the way out the door. Maybe YOU still “let your fingers do the walking”, but for most people, finding what you need online is quickly becoming the norm. The following are some stats you might find interesting:
Per The Pew Internet Survey:
- 87% of adult internet users use a search engine to find information as of 05/2010
- 86% of adult internet users search for a map or driving directions as of 12/2006
- 78% of adult internet users use the internet to look for information on a product or service they are thinking about buying as of 09/2010
- 72% of adult internet users use the internet to buy a product as of 05/2010
So how can you improve your business’s “searchability” on the web? Well #1 would be getting a website if you don’t already have one. Yes…your business may show up in a Google search even if you don’t have a site, but you will have so much more control & exposure with your own site.
If you have a site already, contact me and let me give you a free evaluation. I can look your site over and put together a report with my recommendations.
I would be happy to help you with your website & internet marketing needs. Contact me via this site or call me at 501-269-4215.