| Local Customers Are Searching For You...Can They | | | | business name, business categories, and product |
| Find You? | | | | descriptions carefully, you will begin showing up in the |
| According to AdOlogy and VistaPrint studies | | | | local search results for those specific keywords. |
| completed in 2009, it's highly likely you don't have a | | | | Just getting included in the local search results - even if |
| website for your small business. They found that | | | | you don't have a website - will propel your business |
| between 46% and 62% of small businesses don't | | | | listing to the first page of Google's results for your |
| have websites as part of their local internet advertising | | | | keywords. That's right...you can be listed on page one |
| strategy. Most of the business owners interviewed | | | | of Google, Bing, or Yahoo! without even having a |
| said they either didn't have enough time or enough | | | | website! |
| money to devote to new internet advertising even | | | | Stop Stressing Over Search Engine Optimization |
| though they realized how important it was. | | | | If you have a website and have been struggling to |
| If you're part of this group, you undoubtedly recognize | | | | figure out search engine optimization, you can relax. |
| the importance of showing up in search results when | | | | When you fill out your local business listing, you list your |
| your customers search for you. Otherwise, you | | | | website information as well. Which means your |
| wouldn't be reading this article. And I've got good news | | | | website will show up as part of the local search |
| for you. Showing up in internet search results and | | | | results (on page one) rather than being relegated to |
| working your way to the top for specific keywords is | | | | page 20 of the natural search results. And if you use |
| easier now than it's been in the past. | | | | smart local advertising tactics on your site like |
| You Don't Need A Website To Be Found On The | | | | location-specific landing pages and targeting of specific |
| Internet! | | | | zip codes and neighborhoods or cities, you'll quickly |
| And you don't even need a website! Although having | | | | work your way to the top of the local search results |
| an effective website will drastically increase your | | | | as well. |
| conversions, reduce repetitive customer service | | | | Advertise Your Way to Profits And Leave Your Local |
| inquiries, and help you build a relationship with your | | | | Competition In The Dust |
| target local audience, it isn't an absolute necessity. | | | | Many small businesses are having trouble finding new |
| In the past, it's been very hard and somewhat | | | | customers in today's economy. They either don't have |
| expensive to localize your internet advertising. But now | | | | a website or they have one that doesn't work for |
| all your have to do is list your business in Google | | | | them. Does that describe you? You know the |
| Places (used to be called Google Local Business | | | | importance of being found on the internet and of |
| Center), Bing Local, and Yahoo! Local. And there's a | | | | getting those searchers to call or visit you so you can |
| good chance these sites already have a listing for you. | | | | make those sales. But local advertising is too |
| If so, all you need to do is 'claim' your listing, make sure | | | | expensive and too hard to measure. And so far, your |
| everything is correct, and add pictures and other | | | | internet advertising has been ineffective at best. |
| details to your profile. | | | | By adding your business to the local search engines |
| All in all, in a matter of a few hours, you can have | | | | like I described above, you can take your first step |
| completed profiles that will give your customers | | | | toward turning and ineffective internet advertising |
| accurate information about your business, what you | | | | strategy into an effective one. When people search |
| sell, your store hours, your service areas, and more. In | | | | for you and your products or services, they will find |
| addition, by using choosing the words you use in your | | | | you...then it's up to you to convert them. |