Local Search Marketing -- The "Big Picture"

Introduction: Local Search Marketing ... "The Big Picture"

The title of this post comes from an article I wrote over four years ago with a focus on local search marketing.

Yes, it is true, many things have changed in the past four years. So, why am I posting an article that could be totally insignificant due to those changes?

I'd like to hear the opinion of our readers.

What do you think? Does this article contain a message that is still relevant today, or do you feel the entire article is insignificant? Please post a comment sharing your opinion.

And now...

Local Search Marketing -- The "Big Picture"

Convenience! What does that word and local search marketing have in common? Continue reading as I uncover the mystery of the "big picture" with regard to local search marketing.

Discover what you and over 90% of all businesses are missing that will either position you for greater profits, ahead of your competition; or leave you wondering what exactly did you miss.

It is safe to say that most people around the world have figured out there is something out there called the Internet. Fortunately, two familiar names, Google and Yahoo, along with other search engines, have revolutionized how we learn, how we shop, and how we discover the world.

Through the aforementioned search engines, billions of people around the world have been able to harness a good portion of the full power the internet has to offer.

You may be wondering what that has to do with your business…

Consider this: there are well over ten billion unique searches every month - just in the United States! At least 4 out of 10 of those searches are people looking for places, things, and information that is local.

Here is the indicator - Google and Yahoo have made a dramatic shift in how they return searches. The obvious trend screams local search. Google has even gone out of its way to create a web presence for local businesses. They call it Google Places.

Unfortunately, better than 90% of businesses haven't claimed their free listing for local search. The saddest part is that half of all offline businesses still do not have a website.

Hold on, this is only part of the "big picture" - the other fast growing trend to be aware of is mobile.

Don't Forget About Mobile!

What?!?

Do you know anyone that doesn't have a cell phone? Maybe this will help: The International Telecommunication Union, in October, 2010, estimated there would be 5.3 billion mobile subscriptions by the end of 2010. That's like 77 percent of the world population.

Okay, now that we are on the same page, let's dig into the emerging trend with mobile. According to an early study in 2010 by comScore, over 45.5 million people in the United States owned smartphones out of 234 million total subscribers.

Smartphones? Think iPhone, Blackberry, Android, and the list goes on. Here's the thing, more consumers are wrapping their heads around the real value of smartphones.

With mobile searches quadrupling in the last year, 79 percent of smartphone subscribers using their smartphone to help with shopping, and cell phone companies making it easier for anyone to have a smartphone…

Your customers will be trying to engage you with their smartphones; will you be there when they call?

Patience please … I'm not finished just yet…

The next part of the "big picture" should be obvious. Think Social Media … you know, Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare … ring a bell?

Imagine your business benefiting from the viral impact of Social Media.

Want to notify your customers about a one day sale you are running? You can create a commercial for television, run a display ad in the newspaper, run a ValPak promotion, or "push a button" to notify your customers on your Fanpage and Twitter…

Which do you think is faster and more targeted?

Key Takeaway

Okay, here is your takeaway:

Combining the powerful growth of local search, smartphones, and social media will create a tremendous profit explosion for those businesses that position themselves in front of this growth ... and the demise of those that don't.

What inherent need do these three trends fulfill for your present customers, potential customers, and your business?

Wait for it…

Convenience!

That my friend is the "big picture" - the only question now is, "What are you going to do about it for your online presence?"

Your Thoughts?

Remember, be sure to post a comment sharing your opinion -- Does this article contain a message that is still relevant today, or do you feel the entire article is insignificant?