| Some time has passed since Google and Yahoo | | | | main business is to sell hotel rooms so they limit |
| released local search capabilities. In yahoo's case it | | | | themselves on the local area information. This is |
| indicated that it was definitely moving in the | | | | where Yahoo and Google come in and offer all |
| direction of replacing the yellow pages. Yahoo | | | | the information you can handle. Why? so you will |
| feels it can offer much more to it's users. It can | | | | begin to go to them first. |
| provide a map with directions, the phone and fax | | | | Another potential local search user is the person |
| numbers and a web page or web site that the | | | | who is seeking local information as it relates to |
| business owns. | | | | history, or their own family genealogy. The |
| According to Yahoo their research shows that | | | | internet has made the search for your heritage |
| internet users look for information on the internet | | | | much easier and many people are taking |
| and then look for a local place to purchase the | | | | advantage of it. Scholars of course use it but |
| item or service. | | | | average people seeking their roots are also |
| The Yahoo developers are apparently drawing on | | | | looking for more and more ways to refine their |
| existing yellow pages information as well as local | | | | searches. |
| experts and their own smart pages to build the | | | | Finally there are the locals themselves, looking for |
| local search information. Combined with maps and | | | | a new dry cleaner , a flower shop that sells |
| directions they hope users will find all the | | | | English ivy or even want to buy or sell a used |
| information they need on the internet to buy | | | | item. Classified ads in local newspapers are a large |
| from or visit local businesses. | | | | source of revenue, but think about the local |
| For the small business owner it looks like this will | | | | search that allows ads for used items. Household |
| be a good thing. If you have or are developing a | | | | products, clothes, power tools, garden equipment. |
| web site or page about your business you will be | | | | Unlike Ebay, no shipping costs to pay. Another |
| able to arrive on your customers desk top or cell | | | | search locals themselves might use is a search to |
| phone screen with all the information you can | | | | find out what is going on in their area. Festivals, |
| provide about your product or service. The | | | | special events, concerts, store sales. |
| potential customer will then be provided with a | | | | The question now is what will it cost for small |
| map and directions to your location. Yahoo is | | | | businesses to take part. Right now Yahoo and |
| offering its mobile local search for selected cell | | | | Google are drawing on their in house information |
| phone providers. | | | | to provide search results. So basically if you are in |
| When you think about local search and how it can | | | | their index or directory, and have local information |
| benefit small business you have to view it's | | | | on your web site you will most likely show up in |
| benefit to the potential searcher. Who are the | | | | local search results. But test marketing the local |
| people who will use it and how can your small | | | | search in some cities is being based on bids for |
| business get the rewards? | | | | various neighborhoods as defined by so many |
| The cell phone aspect brings to mind a business | | | | square blocks. So it looks like you will eventually |
| traveler in or near your area who needs anything | | | | be competing against your own local market. This |
| from gas for the car to a pizza for lunch. They | | | | is where a clever local can get the jump on his |
| might also need a copying place to fax | | | | competition, if he uses internet skills. |
| documents or make copies. They might need a | | | | If you have a local business, setup your web |
| motel for the night. Now that GPS devices are in | | | | page or site and include a customer review/feed |
| many more cars and cell phone and PDAs the | | | | back section. Let your customers provide |
| whole aspect of local search has matured. The | | | | testimonials or award stars for your performance. |
| ease with which you can get online with your cell | | | | Keep those up-to-date and posted on your web |
| phone and have information and directions | | | | site. That will offer your prospective customers |
| delivered right to your phone is amazing. All of the | | | | immediate ratings for your product or service and |
| items above could be located, maped, phone | | | | your competition may not be so forward thinking. |
| numbers and even pricing for food items could be | | | | Your business can stand out as one with good |
| called up on your phone screen in a few minutes. | | | | buzz. If you were a potential customer, who |
| In the same type of category is the person who | | | | would you choose? the business with the reviews |
| may be planning a visit for fun and or recreation. | | | | and ratings, or one without? |
| They want as much local information as possible. | | | | So if you have a local small business get busy and |
| Good prices on hotels, restaurants, shops and | | | | take advantage of the free listing and get out |
| attractions. The travel web sites, Travelocity, | | | | ahead of your local competitors.copyright |
| Hotels. com and Price Line. com have begun to | | | | 2006websitedesignpartners. |
| expand into this type of information but their | | | | |