Local Search

Local search optimization is a powerful tool businesses can use, to attract local customers. Using local SEO increases the number of visitors by ranking high in keyword phrases with the mapping application of search engines. Typically this uses what is known as organic ranking for keywords, and additional geographic keywords are used with the search. If you have a gift shop in Chicago, the search phrase might be “gift shop Chicago.”

This exact phrase helps in targeting your local searching. Using a term like “gift shop,” Google.com brings you ten local companies right in your geographic area. Google.com knows where you are by using your computer’s IP address. It then looks for businesses in your area using sources such as Yellow Pages, telephone books and other resources.

Why Local Search?

It’s a fact: today many small businesses simply need to have an online presence – more than ever before. To sell their products or services locally, studies have shown that most people are using an online search (with a rate of more than 80%) to find that business or service they need in their area. They find it far simpler to use the Internet than to thumb through the Yellow Pages when looking for a new hair salon, place for the kid’s birthday party, dry cleaner or great new restaurant.

Using local city search is the most common way for people to find local businesses. Most people now search online for all of their local needs – from an accountant to a zoologist.

A recent study found that 82 percent of the people using online local search follow up their research offline. So these people surfing the Internet are then coming right to your store, ready to buy something they’ve seen online. One would think that many likely are “pre-sold”, having discovered exactly what they want to buy while searching your website. The study also shows advertisers simply must pay attention to the importance of integrating both online and offline marketing advertising efforts.

Search engines are now increasing their advertiser bases by offering directory information. You can find unique directory information using applications such as Google Maps, Yahoo! Local and Bing Maps, that combine the mapping technology with a directory listing. Customers can find your location easily and quickly using an address, keywords or other basic data.

Remember: if your customers can’t find you – they can’t do business with you. That old saying about “location, location, location” for business is even true today. Businesses used to be concerned with having the best brick and mortar location, knowing how valuable it was to their bottom line. Today they must pay as much attention and respect to their online location and being listed in online directories. A customer can find you using their mobile device while on the road and come right into your store, ready to shop. Local search is simply a tool you can’t ignore.

Optimization of Your Listing

Getting listed in the Google Local Business Center is free, but actually getting your business listing on the front page of Google, ahead of competition, takes both time and resources. Working with MarkTheGlobe makes an impact on your bottom line – and sets you apart from the competition.

Thousands of online directories and websites are available, offering guides to local businesses. The companies that have nationwide directories most often find their primary content from data aggregators to create the base foundation of their guides. These data aggregators build the content from a number of sources, including local Yellow Pages listings, to provide valuable information to local visitors. The three top aggregators for U.S.A. listings today are: InfoUSA, Acxiom and Amacai.

To manage the online presence of a local company, we begin by checking and updating that business’s listing information in the above mentioned aggregators and also smaller directories. You want to be sure your address, telephone number, fax number, website URL and other contact information listed are correct, so your customers can find and reach you easily.

We also check listing information with the Yellow Pages directory sites, vertical directories and the most popular search engines that reach local customers. Some of these sites like Yelp, offer customers the ability to review your services and can offer the potential for lots of traffic. MarkTheGlobe can help the find sites for your business to be listed and to optimize that listing to your advantage.