Local/Mobile Marketing Taking Over
The local and mobile search market is that of the future, and has begun its takeover already. Sadly, many small business people don’t understand this concept and are far behind the curve.
Still trying to manipulate the SEO standings with futility, and possibly buying expensive and unrewarding ads such as Adwords and even Yellow Pages, business managers are late to the game.
True, many have caught on to social media, which is helpful for many businesses, depending on their genre. But what are they doing with it, and what are they getting out of it? How much are they spending to maintain just that one line of internet marketing?
The most emergent platform for internet search marketing is still the combined local and mobile search. Facebook has exploded, but it will plateau, and its outreach for certain types of business is limited.
Local search marketing is still in its infancy, as few are realizing the potential of having their business on the top of the page in local search rankings, and how easy and inexpensive it is. Bypassing the traditional SEO process, your small business can by #1 in the local search if you do it right.
You do need an internet marketer with savvy to accomplish this, but it’s not rocket science like traditional SEO, and therefore much cheaper to do, and with more noticeable results.
Google claims that over 20% of internet searches have “local intent” and have therefore modified their search engine accordingly. Still on the cutting edge, Google wants to give people the results what they want, meaning if they search restaurant, they’re not looking for a big national restaurant chain, but one in their local area.
Mobile searches are increasing tremendously, based on the same principles, but an even higher albeit unknown percentage of localized searches. Mobile local searches are basically the same as local searches but with a few differences to account for.
I can attest personally, that as a regular traveler, I habitually search Google Maps on my smartphone to find the local restaurants or other business I may need. I am totally reliant on the local search to provide the information I need to connect with the local business. Who has time to whip out their laptop while driving in a car or getting off the airplane?
What I found from experience is interesting, and the experience didn’t always concur with the ratings, reviews, and overall appearances online. This is because the local/mobile search platform is still very young, and some are taking advantage of it while others are already getting left behind.
It doesn’t have to be that way. For any small business, whatever you’re spending on marketing, the bulk of it should be dedicated to the local / mobile (and social) search integration.
Forget the yellow pages (although it is a good online citation, that part is free), news print ads, and expensive TV/radio ads. The future is here, and it is integrated internet search marketing. It is easier and cheaper to achieve results now than it has been for quite some time.
If you get in on the ground level, you can get a leg up. Otherwise, you’ll be playing catch up, and likely get stamped out by the large chains in the process.
