Local Search: Big Opportunity for Small and Medium-Size Businesses

In recent months, approximately 200 million Internet users conducted searches with local modifiers. If you haven’t already jumped into the paid search market, now is the time. With user adoption growing and paid search statistics proving its validity by scores of marketers, hesitation will only diminish your market share.

Besides, your small and mid-size colleagues are there already or are heading there soon. While just 11% of small- and medium-size enterprises are currently utilizing the technology, 73% intend to jump on board within the year (The Kelsey Group and conStat).

What if your business doesn’t sell products or services online? A recent MarketingSherpa case study illustrates the positive ROI local search advertising makes possible. A San Diego hair salon gave search a try; they purchased local keyphrases such as “San Diego hair salon” in Google and Overture and broader phrases such as “hair cut” in Google’s new Local product. Now, the small business owner says she can’t do without paid search and credits its success to allowing her to focus on growing her business instead of courting new clients.

New local networks are making search marketing even more accessible: cheaper, flat-fee keyword buys and no technical involvement are paving the way online for small businesses and helping them see fast returns.

For instance, WeAreNetwork.com is putting local salespeople in the communities it serves; business involvement is established via phone or face-to-face meetings and buying keywords is as easy as filling out a simple form. The implementation (technology-side) is managed by a Search Manager who is also the statistical and educational point of contact. Statistical reports can sent to advertisers by email or can be viewed online. Businesses are in control of how much information they wish to display. Length of contract is also negotiable and pricing is flat-fee based on number of keywords. Sound simple? It is. Visit www.WeAreNetwork.com to find out more.

The online community loves small businesses as the statistics show; and now, the most effective and simple-to-use advertising format is kind to small businesses. Our recommendation? Get your share of the sales and brand awareness that local search advertising can provide by placing some keyword advertising today.