According to The Kelsey Group, local internet marketing is growing at an average rate of about $2.5 billion a year because it is a highly effective, cost effective way to reach more local customers. In order to be successful with local internet marketing, a business owner needs to have a solid internet marketing plan in place, then fine tune that plan by periodically reviewing performance metrics over time. For instance, your local internet marketing plan should include listings in Google Places and Local.com, email marketing, customer reviews, search engine optimization (Local SEO), and local social media marketing strategies.
Google+ Local
Google+ Local s is used to claim your free local business listing on Google. This allows your business to stand out from the competition by appearing in Google’s 7-Box, which are the maps located at the top of the search engine results. Additionally, it offers much more than the traditional Yellow Pages by allowing you to offer coupons and share photographs, videos and engage more with your customers. It also offers insights on how people search and what appeals to them. Along with local social media marketing strategies you can use these insights to make smarter business decisions.
Directory Listings
Directory listings are websites for helping people find your business. For example Local.com, a directory with a database of over 16 million local business listings. Local.com uses a combination of keywords and geographic web indexing to provide relevant search results for its users. Essentially, it is designed to make it easier for customers to find local businesses either by name or by products and services. They’ve even integrated local mobile marketing by allowing users to send search result to mobile devices making it even easier to find your business for people on the go.
Email Marketing
All local internet marketing plans must include email marketing. It’s an axiom online that the money is in the list. One of the most important ways to sell effectively is to get customers to first get to know, like, and trust you. The way to do this is by building a relationship through an online newsletter. This newsletter will provide essential news and timely tips to a target audience, as well as offer coupons, discounts, and special promotions. Emails are collected on your website and managed through an email marketing service that allows you to create, send and track email newsletters.
Customer Reviews
Encourage your customers to write a review about your products, services and their experience with your business. Reward them by offering discounts or coupons to bring in during their next visit. This will help boost credibility, provide feedback, and cultivate stronger relationships.
Local Search Engine Optimization (Local SEO).
Your plan must incorporate search engine optimization to ensure your website is search engine friendly. If your website is not properly optimized you lessen the chance of being ranked in the top positions of the major search engines. Search engine optimization can be quite overwhelming and time consuming to a business owner. For these reasons, more local business owners are turning to a local internet marketing company to complete local seo for them.
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