Local Search Statistics

• 97% of American internet users use the internet to shop and…
57% “shop online, purchase offline” (NPD Group)

• 90% of online commercial searches result in regular store purchases (proprietary research / comScore)

• 82% of local searchers follow up offline via an in-store visit, phone call or purchase (TMP / comScore)

• 80% of budgets are spent within 50 miles of the home (DMA / proprietary)

• 74% of internet users perform local searches (Kelsey Group)

• 73% of online activity is related to local content (Google)

• 66% of American use online local search, like Google local search to locate local businesses (TMP / comScore / proprietary average)

• 61% of local searches result in purchases (TMP / comScore)

• 54% of Americans have substituted the internet and local search for phone books (comScore networks)

• 35% of all searches are local (DM News)

• 25% of internet searches have a purely local, commercial focus (Kelsey-Bizrate)

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Recommended Local Search Web Resources

1)Domain Name

The first step in gaining a web presence for a small business is getting your piece of virtual real estate. Your section of virtual real estate is purchased by buying a domain name. A domain name claims your name on the Internet. Typically, your business name is your first choice. But, try to add a descriptive keyword for your target audience. This will also help search engines properly classify you and find your website. I primarily use GoDaddy. They have a great reputation and are very reasonably priced. i find the support very helpful and their website easy to navigate.The typical domain cost is between $6 to $10 per year. It is a very reasonable cost and can be lowered by purchasing more domains or more registration time

World’s Largest Registrar – GoDaddy.com

2)Web Hosting

The next step is to find a hosting service. A hosting service is where your website will be parked. Hosting services invest millions of dollars in state of the art servers to ensure that their customers websites are always up and running. Downtime for your website will cost you customers. One of the most important qualities in a hosting service is service. Hostgator has solved all of my problems quickly and in a down to earth manner. Web hosting is typically around $10/month.

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3)Email Marketing

The next step is to find a email/contact service. Targeting your customers starts with getting information and finding out their preferences. Collecting your customers emails is an invaluable tool. With the emails, you can target sale announcements, new arrivals, season promotions, or monthly newsletters. Constant Contact will manage all the information and it has the easiest design template. Your third grader will be able to write a web 2.0 newsletter targeting a new promotion for you.

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