Much has been said, debated and implemented on how to improve local marketing for local businesses on the internet. While many marketers have different ideas on what works and what does not, local internet marketing does not take the same approach as other forms of marketing online. The web, we can say, is becoming global and at the same time, getting local. This means that more and more people want to search for local content. This is practical if you live in an area where many businesses are into ecommerce and where you can order online and have the item delivered at your door.
However, local internet marketing can work for your business, if you take the right approach. Statistics have shown that two thirds of households perform online searches for local products or services on a daily basis. In other words, your clients may already be making local buying decisions right at home. So do you position your business to enable local searches to identify you as one of their potential service and product providers?
Just as in other searches, people search for local content either by using a keyword plus their town or city or they use the zip code plus the item they are researching on. For example, if I live in Santa Monica and looking to purchase an air conditioner, I would likely type the search keyword as Santa Monica air conditioners. Thus when considering how to market yourself to local clients, consider using keywords in that perspective. Whether your business is web-based, need more visibility online or trying to increase your local search profile, this is one of the easiest ways you can start out on your local marketing.
Another way is to link to businesses that complement or are somewhat associated with what you do. If you sell video game accessories, you are likely to get better results if you link to game sites or game console sites. This is not always easy and so patience should be one of the virtues you have to cultivate. Create a fairly large list of local businesses that offer those services and contact them all and be persistent. Over a couple of months you are bound to have a few sites that are willing to have your link. Of course, they will require that you have a link on your site as well. Either way, these local internet marketing methods spread awareness that you exist and worth doing business with.