When a panel of consumers were asked what advertising resources they used FIRST to locate a local business, 50% answered that they start with an local online search engine (Google.com, Yahoo.com, Ask.com, etc).
On the other hand, only 24% of those surveyed used the Yellow Pages first.Even when a group of small business owners were asked the same question about where they look first for a local business, an internet search engine was their primary source also.
But did you know that almost 50% of small business owners still don’t spend more than 10% of their advertising budget on internet marketing and advertising? Even knowing the the internet is the first place they, as a consumer, look for local business info.
In a comparison, Local Online Marketing to traditional advertising such as TV, radio, Magazines, Yellow pages, flyers, etc., are not as effective or affordable anymore. Just about every household uses a TiVo or DVR to skip commercials.
More consumers are going to commercial free radio or channel surfing during those commercials. Yellow pages are becoming a waste of trees in that no one even picks them up anymore. And most customers are too busy to clip coupons from a magazine, flyers or newspapers.
Small business owners need to start thinking like consumers – and have their local business “findable” where consumers are looking… the internet.
Why Local Business Marketing Online?
Local Business Marketing Online and Local Advertising online, level the playing field for small business owners. Sadly, not many local small business owners are taking advantage of the opportunities they have to place their business where consumers are looking for them.
Making sure your potential customers can see you on page 1 of Google for local searches like ‘b&b in St. Austell’ or ‘restaurant in London’ for example, can make an enormous difference to your sales volume.
More customers find local businesses via Google local searches than any other advertising medium including Yellow Pages and other ‘traditional’ methods.