Q. What is local search?
A. It is when a user searches for something online but uses a geographic location to focus his search, such as "Web Marketing Augusta GA". Google, Yahoo, etc have specific local search engines for this but also provide this data in their normal search result pages.
Q. Why haven't I heard about this?
A. Local search has been around for a while but is just now beginning to get the press it deserves. Local search is a whole new world, still forming, still finding its identity. Because of this, there are still some bumps in road and search engines/directories jockeying for position. Internet marketing have been talking about it but it has been until recently magazines such as Enterpurer, or Business Week have given it any attention.
Q. Why should I care about local search?
A. Local search will give you the best ROI for your advertising dollars. It will provide you an "easy" way to get online and promote your business or service. Since local search is still "new", a lot of business have not yet taken advantage of it, thus giving those who start today an extra advantage over their competition.
To make local search useful, a lot of search engines are pulling business data from other sources, so it is possible your business already has a listing online. If you do, is it correct?
Q. What is IYP (Internet Yellow Pages) and is that local search?
A. The Internet Yellow Pages is basically an online version of the standard Yellow Pages book you have in your home. The IYP is definitely an major part of local search marketing. Just as you submit your business information to the search engine and directories, you will want to submit information to the IYP. There are many IYPs online to choose from.
Q. Do I need a website to do local search?
A. No, that is beauty of this marketing technique. Having a website would be a plus but not mandatory.
Q. Can I do this marketing myself?
A. Small business owners can do local search marketing themselves but at this point, probably not recommended. There is power is numbers-the more you can get your profile online, the better. It is hard, even for the professionals to keep up with new search engines and directories that are appearing, merging companies, search engines changing their
algorithms , and more.
Q. How long will it take to do it?
A. Once a submission is made, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for the listing to be posted.
Q. How much will this cost me?
A. That is hard to say. Most search engines and directories offer a variety of listing options, so you have the ability to pick and choose how you are listed, thus controlling the costs. If you use a professional, there will be their fee also.
About the author:
Larry Sullivan, of LRSxpress Web Services (http://www.lrsxpress.com), provides local search marketing to small business (http://local.lrsxpress.com). With over 6 years online web experience, LRSxpress provides numerous other web related services (design, hosting, search engine optimization, link building, online promotions) for small businesses to help them get online quickly and affordably.
Check out his new blog Local Biz Bits (http://www.localbizbits.com).
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