Using Local Search For Your Small Business

Everyone by now understands just how crucial search engine advertising can be for a business. But for a very long time now local small companies have asked themselves what does the internet really hold for them? If you have a local auto repair shop, automobile dealer, or apparel retail store then you rely on neighborhood customers for sales. You do not deliver products to customers half way around the globe or even to the next state over. You're a local business and your consumers are local too.

However if you haven't seen in the last couple of years a change has happened in search engine marketing that even your business can easily benefit from. It used to be that people looking for something on the internet were seeking something that they couldn't get in your area. Well the times have changed and now nearly 20 % of all internet searches are done by individuals looking for something local. In fact they might just be searching for something your company might supply. Gone are the days of dragging out that hefty phonebook to locate a local plumber, flower shop, or somewhere to rent a tuxedo. Now people make use of their computers, iPhones, Android phones or Touchpads and do a local search. The question is, can they locate you?

So just what precisely is a local search? A local search starts when an individual types a keyword into a search engine such as Google, Yahoo, or Bing. Now it used to be you could type in something like "Auto Repair Nashville" to get local business listings. But that's not the case any longer. Now search engines use your IP Address to figure out your whereabouts. So if I type in "Auto Repair" and I reside in Nashville the search engine makes use of my IP Address, determines my location and immediately displays outcomes for the Nashville area for me.

The catch right here is that if the major search engines do not know you exist or the information they have is inaccurate then they're going to show your competition instead of you. You may not think this is such a big deal, however it can be. According to Google the keyword "auto repair Nashville" is searched about 1,600 times per month locally. That's 1600 folks that need auto repair work every month that are probably going somewhere besides your business to get their automobile fixed due to the fact that they can't find you. That's why local search has come to be so necessary. It drives much more company.

Now you may state that I do turn up in local searches already. But many small businesses that appear in local searches still don't have a website. So you turn up on a local search however your competition has a website. If I want more information so that I can make a much more informed choice of who to go to then the business with a web site has the advantage. A basic company website is both economical and an advertising essential in today's internet world.

Whether your company is currently appearing in local search results or not there are a couple of key points to remember that can quickly boost your local search presence.

·Location, Location, Location. Make sure on your website you include your physical address. The search engines will definitely check out every piece of information you have to offer. So make sure to include your company address and telephone number in the footer of your website or on a contact us page.

·Make sure your listings are complete. Local listings are very important in validating info for search engines. For instance you may find that you have a comparable company name to someone else. So search engines make use of websites like SuperPages.com and Citysearch.com to confirm info. If you have an old address or telephone number specified then you may misinform the search engine. Clear and precise information is essential for every listing. It's additionally essential to be as complete as possible.

·Get listed as much as you can. The more listings you have the more desirable. There are a number of spots online to detail your company. Use them because the more you do the much better off you are. Think about each listing that you create as being another point in your favor. The major search engines like to see a bunch of listings concerning you.

·Reviews are essential. Not every review is a really good review however they are all important. Google for instance draws from numerous sources and displays reviews for searchers to check out. Those positive reviews will certainly help drive more sales your way. Keep in mind whether the experience was positive or negative folks like to write reviews and other possible customers will definitely be reading them.

Local search is already enormous. Millions of searches are done each day now for local companies and if you're not included then you're missing a significant opportunity. So put in the time and do a search. See where you rank. And ask yourself is it really good enough?

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