List Your Local Business for Free on Google and Yahoo
As a local business owner you wear many hats and you have
countless responsibilities. Consequently you're not always able
to follow-up on opportunities that could advance your business.
It is the nature of running a business.
Once an awhile an opportunity comes along that you absolutely
should not pass up. In this case it is getting a business
listing on both Google and Yahoo local. Not only can it
generate targeted traffic in your area, but the listing is
FREE. And here is another reason why you need to jump on
this, it doesn't matter if you have a web site or not, you still
qualify for the free listing.
Why would you want a free business listing with Google and
Yahoo?
Because they are the two largest search resources online, and
account for approximately 78% of the total search results. But
even more important is the fact that your customers are
searching for local products and services online in greater
numbers. In some surveys it is suggest that as much as 25% of
all Internet searches are local in nature.
Your customers are turning away from the cumbersome yellow
pages. Instead their utilizing the content rich resources of the
Internet. You have to ask yourself - if you competitors are
listed and you are not, when a prospect searches online which
business will most likely end up with a new customer?
How hard is it to list your business?
It can be done in less then an hour. Below are the two locations:
Local Business Center -
https://www.google.com/local/add/login?hl=en-US&gl=US
Yahoo Local - http://local.yahoo.com/ (Click on the "Add/Edit a
Business" link at the bottom of the page)
The Benefits of a Local Listing
Besides the excellent exposure, you get to list important
details about your business, including:
Name Address Phone Email address Web address Payment methods
accepted Brands carried Products/services offered Specials
In addition to company details, Google and Yahoo both provide an
interactive map for locating your business. I'm sure most of you
have utilized the mapping service of either of these search
engines and know how convenient it makes finding a business. Not
only can customers find out who you are, but they also can
pinpoint where you are.
As I mentioned, neither of these services require a web site,
but when you combine your listing with a link to a killer web
site you are in position to do so serious customer conversion.
For those lacking a web site, Yahoo offers a free 5 page site.
It allows you to get a basic web presence until you get the real
thing up and running.
Very few businesses are cashing in on local Internet marketing.
For those that are, the results show a higher ROI, and an
improved customer conversion rate.
The future of your local business will depend on how effective
you are in reaching your customers online. Getting a free
listing on Google and Yahoo Local is an excellent start.