Local Search
Why Google Maps Matter for Local Businesses
From time to time a new technology event occurs which we think will be incredibly VALUABLE to businesses of all sizes. We want to tell you all about the new Google and Yahoo! Local Maps.
Ever since arrival of the internet, the physical “yellow pages” have been struggling to survive. Disappointed yellow page advertisers have certainly noticed. This is because people now use Google and Yahoo! to find LOCAL goods and services. Stunning new research reveals that 40 percent of ALL web searches have LOCAL INTENT. Google and Yahoo! have now radically changed the way they display search engine results. Google has gone so far to replace the top “organic” search results with these new local maps.
The point is – if your business is not found easily on the new online maps – you are currently invisible to the hundreds, or even thousands of potential local customers who no longer use the yellow pages. Our ADVICE would be to not wait until your competition takes action …you should do something first!
Local Business Center for Google Maps
Why Google Maps Matter for Local Businesses:
- Google and Yahoo! account for 75% percent of all web searches.
- 40% of all online searches have local intent.
- 82% of people using local search sites followed up with an offline action. e.g; in-store visit, phone call (TMP Directional Marketing)
- 89% of consumers making in-store purchases in key categories have conducted research online (BIGResearch)
- Internet influenced as much as $500 billion in offline purchases in 2007 (eMarketer)
