Local Businesses have Been Slow to Capitalize on Search Engine Notice
Yellow Page directory usage has been falling for years. But most merchants who've always relied on their directory listing for new business have not taken the necessary steps to promote themselves online as well.
Local Search by search engines makes the Internet a vital component of more and more retail sales. Buyers can find convenient sources of products or services (the time-honored role of the Yellow Pages) with queries that include a geographic element.
They narrow their search by adding a specific city, zip code, region (Pike's Peak), county, etc. Only nearby businesses appear in the results. Suddenly, even the smallest business (without a website) has a chance of being easily found online.
The Public's Buying Habits Have Changed
Over 25% of all search-engine queries are for Local Search results; and that percentage is growing quickly. Last year, both Google and Yahoo committed to expanding the value of Local Search results they deliver. People want them and are driving the trend. Small businesses that don't get aboard risk being left behind (and unfound).
Increasingly, customers go online first to find product information and sources - even if they intend to spend their money locally. Instead of opening the fat Yellow Page directory (which is months out of date, since it's only updated once a year), they "let their fingers do the walking" online.
That could be Internet Yellow Pages (IYP), a search engine query such as Google or Yahoo, or visiting a specialized online directory. There are many demographic reasons why people no longer make the Yellow Pages the first step in their buying process. They still want to research their options, but are often looking for different information than Yellow Page ads provide.
Get Local Search Results on your Cell Phone
Add convenience to the search, since Google brought out Local Mobile Search in March, 2005. http://mobile.google.com/loc_search.html Google Local lets callers find everything from restaurants to retail outlets using their mobile phone. This option is available in most American cities. People can access the mobile web browser on any mobile phone or device that supports XHTML (WAP 2.0).
Visualize yourself driving down the street, and you decide you'd like sushi. You park and enter "your town" plus "sushi" into a Google search on your cell phone. Within seconds you know your choices. You can even get driving directions, maps and "click to call," if you have a question.
Now, that's miles ahead of finding a payphone and digging through the directory, assuming there is one.
Conduct a Local Search from your Cell Phone
- Type http://mobile.google.com/local
- Enter your local search query in the 'What' box
- Enter your location in the 'Where' box
- Select and hit the "Google Search" button
- Scroll through your search results
- Locate a business's exact location
- Get driving directions to your desired location
- Place a call directly to a listed business
Callers can also get Local Search results by going to the Google home page on the phone's web browser http://www.google.com/xhtml
Business Owners Must get Listed so they'll Appear in Search Results
Given the widespread use of cell phones, Google's new feature will create an immediate impact. People on the go (and who isn't, anymore?) will have less reason than ever to look in the printed Yellow Page directory.
What to do? Yellow Page Sage http://www.yellowpagesage.com provides step-by-step how-to, so your business gets found when suitable buyers are looking. Make life easier for yourself - and customers relying on their cell phones to decide where they should spend their money.
It's time to develop your marketing strategy beyond what the Yellow Pages can deliver. Be sure your operation is easy for people to find, whether they use a print directory or the Internet. Get your share of the free exposure that Mobile Local Search will be able to send your way.
©2005, Lynella Grant
--Dr. Lynella Grant Author, Yellow Page Smarts: Make more money from your directory ad in tandem with your website http://www.yellowpagesage.com Smarter ways to attract more YP customers. Local Search resources Off the Page Press (719) 395-9450
--Dr. Lynella Grant Author, Yellow Page Smarts: Make more money from your directory ad in tandem with your website http://www.yellowpagesage.com Smarter ways to attract more YP customers. Local Search resources Off the Page Press (719) 395-9450
Motorola cellular phone ? description.Motorola has a great selection of... Read More
It's hard to look back and imagine what we did... Read More
Electronic DistributionHow Electronic Distribution WorksThe Problems of Distributing Prepaid Services... Read More
The AARP, American Association of Retired Persons, ( ... Read More
We are putting cell phone towers in the forests for... Read More
Cell Phones have become a part and parcel of everybody's... Read More
Bought the latest in mobile phones? Can't wait to show... Read More
Judging from the 9-11 hearings and many reports by first... Read More
Many people go looking for cell phones without too much... Read More
There's no greater way to win the hearts of consumers... Read More
Recycle Cell PhonesTechnological advancements providing users with improved reception through... Read More
Camera cell phone picture - recent development.Camera cell phone picture... Read More
Every day, there are more new uses for the classic... Read More
Cell phones, the prepaid ones, are the great way to... Read More
Firstly, it's vital to point out that this short report... Read More
The internet can be a great place to buy your... Read More
Trends in music come and go, but the crown jewel... Read More
The new "smartphones" have a lot of really cool features.... Read More
It's a sad commentary on the way of the world... Read More
The best money saving practice for buying new cellular phones... Read More
1. What's the difference between analog and digital phones?Analog phones... Read More
All the major phone manufacturers are cashing in on the... Read More
Cellular phones are different from your land-line home phone in... Read More
You're never too old to have some fun. With the... Read More
SMS for Enterprise Messaging ? Value added servicesShort message service,... Read More
With more offshore fishing boats taking customers further out into... Read More
Camera cell phone by Samsung ? description.Samsung manufacture a large... Read More
Picking a new cell phone model and pricing plan is... Read More
Let the battle begin, should teens have cell phones? Well... Read More
Investments in shares of wireless technology companies and wireless service... Read More
Cellular phones and pagers are part of the "now" generation,... Read More
When the first cell phone arrived onto the market it... Read More
In today's world of communication technology, there's a lot out... Read More
Until recently, when you thought of ringtones, you usually thought... Read More
Firstly, it's vital to point out that this short report... Read More
The new "smartphones" have a lot of really cool features.... Read More
1. Increase the life span of your cell phone and... Read More
How many times have you heard of people spending hundreds... Read More
Cell phone safety is a topic widely debated around the... Read More
1. What's the difference between analog and digital phones?Analog phones... Read More
Camera cell phone by Samsung ? description.Samsung manufacture a large... Read More
Cellular phones and pagers are part of the "now" generation,... Read More
Bluetooth headsets make up one of the fastest wireless markets... Read More
Where do I start? Always start with the essentials. If... Read More
Choosing a cellular phone plan for all your needs.Cellular phone... Read More
If your child uses a cell phone, take note. A... Read More
With more and more people buying cell phones, it becomes... Read More
Companies have spent BIG dollars for the telephone equipment that... Read More
I noticed two interesting stories today. The first one on... Read More
The best money saving practice for buying new cellular phones... Read More
Staying connected with a cell phone has become a way... Read More
Cell phones were created with the purpose of facilitating communication... Read More
There are certain things people just shouldn't do with cell... Read More
Trends in music come and go, but the crown jewel... Read More
Built camera in cell phone - technology is available.The built... Read More
Okay, so we all know that you can change the... Read More
The AARP, American Association of Retired Persons, ( ... Read More
Mobile commerce is electronic commerce over wireless devices. Mobile commerce... Read More
Like millions of others, you may be the victim of... Read More
Many people go looking for cell phones without too much... Read More
You probably don't even think about it but do you... Read More
Camera cell digital phone - description.Camera cell digital phone is... Read More
First, there was the standard land line phone system; then... Read More
Discounted Mobile Phone AccessoriesMobile Phones have become a part of... Read More
Best camera cell phone - description.Best camera cell phone is... Read More
Accessories can complete an outfit, dress up something like a... Read More
Mobile & Cell Phone |