What Is Local Search?

We’re all familiar with conducting a general search query on Google or Yahoo! for a certain product or brand name.  Once you’ve narrowed down what is important, the search terms get more specific and so does the geographic area in which you’re looking.  That’s when Local Search comes into play.  In fact, research shows web users are conducting approximately 1 Billion local searches per month. (ComScore)  Whether looking for a new car, a dentist or just want to order a pizza, eventually you need a phone number and location. 

Local involves any search which specifies a geographic area along with a product name, a brand, or company name.  Some sites that focus on Local content are Internet Yellow Page sites (i.e.: Yellowpages.com, Superpages.com), Yahoo! Local, Google Local, Local.com and Citysearch.com.  All of these sites accept local content or partner with another company to provide the content to help refine local searches.  This data can specify brands, products, services, certifications, location information, associations or anything else related to a business to help it stand out. 

Right now, only about 40% of businesses are taking advantage of the vast opportunities Local Search provides.  That number should definitely be higher.  In fact, there are companies that offer a service to provide all of your business information to a large group of local search engines and portals for a very reasonable price, such as Localeze.  This saves time spent going to every single site where local content is accepted and updating it yourself and also ensures accuracy of your data.  Most importantly…your info is there when your customers are ready to buy!!