Does a small local business really need a web presence?

Many business owners who provide products and services to a local
The market considers the web to be regional, national or global.
half. While this was mostly true in his early years, today the
The Internet can become the most productive way for a local company to
advertise your services.

With the emergence of local web searches, such as local Google,
A growing number of prospects are looking for local results online.
In fact, some statistics now indicate the number of people using search
engines in this framework in more than 50% of all localized searches. This means
that the web is quickly replacing those clunky, hard-to-read yellow pages with no real information.

What makes a local web search so attractive? There are many reasons:

1. The results of a local search are plotted on a map. Links are provided
to complete a starting address and driving directions are provided.

2. Many local searches provide a customer feedback page, where a
The search engine can read in advance about the services or products of the company.

3. If the company has a website, the search engine is just one click away from
visit it and get additional information about the business

4. A searcher can modify the search to a zip code, radius of a
address, type of business and many other filters

5. Results are instant, no longer need to fumble through a book to find
exactly what you are looking for

How does this relate to a local business owner? The opening is now going to begin,
If you haven’t started yet, a strong web presence optimized for
searches. The logical place to start is with a website.

While most businesses may already have a website, most are not optimized
for use in local marketing activities. For example, the number of websites
Without a simple form to capture the email addresses of the visitors it is amazing. Yes
it is, for example, a local butcher shop; Why would you not want to market?
to your local clientele via the web on a regular basis? Coupons, special promotions,
recipes, market trends, new products, the list goes on and on. However, most
local business owners don’t even consider the possibilities.

Also, with the explosion of free and video hosting sites like You Tube,
Including a video that highlights your products is powerful and
inconsiderate. Imagine putting together a commercial and running it
Low-cost or no-cost television! However, that is exactly what web video does.
business

Another area where the web can be used for local business marketing.
is e-mail and, in particular, voluntary subscription newsletters. Building a list of current
and email addresses of potential customers, and use that list to stay up-to-date
contact with them is one of the uses of the web most ignored by
Business. Most of them will spend hundreds or thousands of dollars
one month on brochures, yellow pages ads, and traditional advertising. However, in
At a fraction of the cost, email marketing is targeted and effective.

All that said, the web provides local businesses with an interactive platform.
from which they can promote their products. With a well thought out plan
any business can achieve results in a short period of time and with little
capital outlay. It can become the driving force that attracts many
business marketing plan in the 21st century.