| It's a fact. The Internet has taken over as the primary | | | | * Over 85% of these people followed up with a phone |
| means by which consumers seek and find the | | | | call or email |
| information they are looking for. | | | | * Over 61% made a purchase off line |
| A major paradigm shift took place in April of 2009 | | | | * Over 84% of US based searches were local |
| when Google brought local businesses into the | | | | searches looking for local businesses |
| mainstream of organic searches with Local Business | | | | Advertising spent for local advertising |
| Results on the top page. You've probably seen these | | | | * 3 Billion in 2008... 13 Billion by 2010! |
| lately if you did your own local search for a restaurant, | | | | The point is that local businesses are transferring their |
| or a plumber, or practically any goods or services. | | | | advertising dollars from traditional media, i.e. Yellow |
| It's the area with a local map with red pins and a listing | | | | Pages, local news papers, etc. to more effective online |
| down the right side. The good news, is, these are | | | | media. |
| FREE listings to any local business. | | | | The Problem for Local Businesses face in Local |
| Now, that's where it ends for many local businesses. If | | | | Internet Advertising |
| you do a cursory click through on many of these, you | | | | Most local businesses have no strategy to implement |
| may only find an address and phone number. Some | | | | any kind of meaningful Internet Advertising. Practically |
| have a website, most don't! If they do have a | | | | every month the Internet changes and in many cases |
| webpage, it's, well, sadly lacking. Many have incorrect | | | | exponentially. Keeping up with trends and current |
| information! | | | | changes can be a full time effort as search engine |
| More on web sites in the next article. | | | | algorithms change unexpectedly, ranking is dynamic |
| Consider the following: | | | | and ever changing. |
| * Over 70% of US households turn to the Internet as | | | | This is why finding an experienced Internet Advertising |
| their primary source for information. | | | | Consultant is essential and preferable than going it |
| NOT the Yellow Pages or local newspaper anymore! | | | | alone. |
| * Over 50% of all business shoppers turn to a search | | | | FACT: The average local business person who |
| engine first when looking for any kind of locally based | | | | attempts their own Internet Marketing will likely get |
| product or service | | | | mediocre results at best, and likely fail. |
| * This number is increasing by over 50% a year! | | | | Therefore, It is essential for any one serious about |
| * 90% of major purchases are made within 50 miles | | | | creating a lasting web presence seek a professional |
| of a Nearly 50% of all searches on Google included an | | | | experienced in Local Internet Advertising. |
| geographic identifier, i.e. city/zip code | | | | |