Online Local Search Listings Optimization Ensure the Most Accurate Location Information Add Rich Content to Trigger Consumer Buying Decisions Be Found in Local Search Listing Site Results Promoting (Your) Local Online Identity
What Local Search Is  Why It Matters How to Take Advantage of It Local Search Listings: What They Are, Where They Fit Why They’re Critical How They Work; The Challenge for Your Business  How We Help Getting Started Today’s Discussion
“ Online consumers looking to find qualified local businesses,  by entering “top of mind” (key) words, phrases and geographic modifiers on major search engines, Internet Yellow Pages and other online directories.”  What Exactly  IS  Local Search?  Nike Shoes in Dallas  Chicago Chinese Restaurant Dim Sum Red Dresses in Miami FL Tire Repair in Zip Code 90210 San Diego emergency plumber taking visa Spanish speaking  Atlanta taxi 24 hour Bank Las Vegas Pizza delivery credit card 20713 Saturday day care New York city X Box Store Denver Colorado
Why Local Search Matters-  Because That’s how Consumers Now Shop! 07/29/09 Over  2.6 Billion  Local Searches conducted each month in 2008 (a 58% increase over 2007) 1 Local Search accounted for over 30% of all search traffic in 2008 (up from 25% in 2007) 1   80%+ of searches start with a search engine 2 ,  not  a corporate website! conScore/Yellow Pages Association 2009 SMX 2008
07/29/09 Local Online Search Influences Consumers Early & Throughout the Buying Cycle “ Nearly half (45 percent)  of Internet Yellow Pages and local online directory searchers  made a corresponding offline purchase  in the fourth quarter of 2008”  (comScore/YPA 2009)
Consumer Fragmentation in Local Search  07/29/09 2% Social Networks 2% Mobile Local 49% Major SE 17% Major  Local Search Engines 30% Interactive Yellow Pages Source: comScore/TMP October 2008
Consumer Fragmentation: The Long Tail of Local Search  07/29/09
How Local Search Engines are Primarily Used  07/29/09 Major Search Engines-- Highest percentage Of users doing research (over 20%) Major Local Search Engines-- Highest % of users are for finding  Address/Directions Recovery (30%) Interactive Yellow Pages-- Highest % of users for finding Phone Number Recovery (34%)  Source: comScore/TMP October 2008 Consumers Use Various Sites for Various Reasons, Managing Content on One Site is  NOT  Enough
Local Search Listings-  Their fit in the major search engines Local Search Results Website Optimization SEO Pay Per Click (ppc) SEM – SE Marketing “ paid ads” Pay Per Click (ppc) SEM – SE Marketing “ paid ads”
Source:  MarketingSherpa 2007 Benchmark Guide 2007 The vast majority  Searchers look in in the “Golden Triangle” and  That’s Where Local Search Listings are Presented! Local Search Listings –  Why They’re Critical for Your Business  BUT-- Are  You   Represented?
Example  – Optimized Profile Page ~ Business Profile Page ~ More details on the business 1. Basic Local Listing Info: Business Name Local Address Local Number 2. Business Attributes: Drives “Findability” Triggers Action Make Accurate
Before & After   2007 2008
Geo-Proximity to the Searched Location/Zip Code Searched “business or service/product/brand” – is in the Business Name? Searched “business or service/product/brand” – this ‘content’ associated with the business profile Has the marketplace interacted with the listing –  i.e. User feedback, etc… Generation of Business Listings Factors :
1 2 Content Found in Profile 3 4
Local Search Listings Relevancy Factors
15 Why Broad Distribution  Matters 1. Results are  Served, and Consumers May Look…   Here… Or Here… Or Here Or Here… 2. So You Need To Be  Listed…  Here… And Here… And Here… And Here!
All these partners in our distribution network play a roll in Sports Authority’s strong web page citation numbers
Citations + Web References
Local Search Listings are managed and maintained in separate Local Search Site Databases, comprised primarily of data from print Yellow Pages, which can be up to 2 years old. Meaning y our Local Search Listings are possibly being viewed by motivated online consumers  right now   and,   Your current listings may be: INACCURATELY REPRESENTING YOUR BRAND ,  due to Inaccurate, incomplete and out-of-date information, and/or;  OMMITED FROM SEARCH RESULTS COMPLETELY, OR PROVIDING LITTLE CONSUMER BUYING MOTIVATION,   due to lack of deep information on your business that’s necessary for your listings to “come up” in results, and providing inadequate buying information when they do. Local Search Listings  –  How They Work, The Challenge for Your Business
Getting Control Over your Local Search Listings Content –  What We Do for You 1. CAPTURE  Current Listings  3. ORGANIZE and STRUCTURE  Updated, Deep Listings 2. CORRECT, UPDATE and DEEPEN  Current Listings   DISTRIBUTE  Updated, Deep Listings, Optimized for Local Search Listings Results To over 85 top search engines, Internet Yellow Pages and specialty directories Manage An Easy, Cost Effective Five Step Process:  From U.S. Repository of All Businesses* Dramatically enhances visibility/”find ability using a proprietary, hierarchical taxonomy engine*  5. MANAGE  Updated, Deep Listings, in batch or one-off processes
Some “Best Practices” Tips and Tools Used to Deepen Your Content, Enhance Your Listings Visibility Consider that Consumers Search by “Top of Mind”: Business Name ( Superior Air Company) Category (Business Type, i.e., Heating & Air Conditioning) Brands (Trane, Carrier, Lenox etc..) Products (Furnaces, Air Conditioners, Humidifiers) Services (Furnace Repair, AC Maintenance) Add Rich Content to Local Listing Information: Website Email Address 800 # Fax # Hours Of Operation Brand Affiliation Products Services Payment Methods Content Drives the Ability to be Found in  Local Listing Search Results •  Avoid Duplication Across Listings  •  Provide Address Whenever Possible.      •  Provide Alternated Phone Numbers     Accommodate for Both Types of Local Search: Recovery Search:  Business Name is Known – looking for more information from that Business to make an Intent to Purchase Discovery Search:  Business Name is  not  Known – product or service is searched and desired business uncovered  This is Where  We Can Help!
Results from Updating, Deepening Your Listings Content Example--Match Found Due to Enhanced Content From a “Brand Search”
Where Your Updated, Enhanced Listings Go— The Distribution Network  (Over 80+ partners today = 90% of Local Searches)
The Take Aways: Local Search is here, and going mainstream Local Listings Sites are a  prominent, increasingly popular component  of the Local Search landscape Recency, accuracy and depth of content  are critical to supporting your business image…and bringing you qualified customers  Online consumers are fragmented-- robust, broad content  distribution  is key to maximize reach  We’ve created an  easy, affordable one-stop-shop  for you to realize the benefits of Local Listings content management and distribution

We Search Local

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Online Local SearchListings Optimization Ensure the Most Accurate Location Information Add Rich Content to Trigger Consumer Buying Decisions Be Found in Local Search Listing Site Results Promoting (Your) Local Online Identity
  • 3.
    What Local SearchIs Why It Matters How to Take Advantage of It Local Search Listings: What They Are, Where They Fit Why They’re Critical How They Work; The Challenge for Your Business How We Help Getting Started Today’s Discussion
  • 4.
    “ Online consumerslooking to find qualified local businesses, by entering “top of mind” (key) words, phrases and geographic modifiers on major search engines, Internet Yellow Pages and other online directories.” What Exactly IS Local Search? Nike Shoes in Dallas Chicago Chinese Restaurant Dim Sum Red Dresses in Miami FL Tire Repair in Zip Code 90210 San Diego emergency plumber taking visa Spanish speaking Atlanta taxi 24 hour Bank Las Vegas Pizza delivery credit card 20713 Saturday day care New York city X Box Store Denver Colorado
  • 5.
    Why Local SearchMatters- Because That’s how Consumers Now Shop! 07/29/09 Over 2.6 Billion Local Searches conducted each month in 2008 (a 58% increase over 2007) 1 Local Search accounted for over 30% of all search traffic in 2008 (up from 25% in 2007) 1 80%+ of searches start with a search engine 2 , not a corporate website! conScore/Yellow Pages Association 2009 SMX 2008
  • 6.
    07/29/09 Local OnlineSearch Influences Consumers Early & Throughout the Buying Cycle “ Nearly half (45 percent) of Internet Yellow Pages and local online directory searchers made a corresponding offline purchase in the fourth quarter of 2008” (comScore/YPA 2009)
  • 7.
    Consumer Fragmentation inLocal Search 07/29/09 2% Social Networks 2% Mobile Local 49% Major SE 17% Major Local Search Engines 30% Interactive Yellow Pages Source: comScore/TMP October 2008
  • 8.
    Consumer Fragmentation: TheLong Tail of Local Search 07/29/09
  • 9.
    How Local SearchEngines are Primarily Used 07/29/09 Major Search Engines-- Highest percentage Of users doing research (over 20%) Major Local Search Engines-- Highest % of users are for finding Address/Directions Recovery (30%) Interactive Yellow Pages-- Highest % of users for finding Phone Number Recovery (34%) Source: comScore/TMP October 2008 Consumers Use Various Sites for Various Reasons, Managing Content on One Site is NOT Enough
  • 10.
    Local Search Listings- Their fit in the major search engines Local Search Results Website Optimization SEO Pay Per Click (ppc) SEM – SE Marketing “ paid ads” Pay Per Click (ppc) SEM – SE Marketing “ paid ads”
  • 11.
    Source: MarketingSherpa2007 Benchmark Guide 2007 The vast majority Searchers look in in the “Golden Triangle” and That’s Where Local Search Listings are Presented! Local Search Listings – Why They’re Critical for Your Business BUT-- Are You Represented?
  • 12.
    Example –Optimized Profile Page ~ Business Profile Page ~ More details on the business 1. Basic Local Listing Info: Business Name Local Address Local Number 2. Business Attributes: Drives “Findability” Triggers Action Make Accurate
  • 13.
    Before & After 2007 2008
  • 14.
    Geo-Proximity to theSearched Location/Zip Code Searched “business or service/product/brand” – is in the Business Name? Searched “business or service/product/brand” – this ‘content’ associated with the business profile Has the marketplace interacted with the listing – i.e. User feedback, etc… Generation of Business Listings Factors :
  • 15.
    1 2 ContentFound in Profile 3 4
  • 16.
    Local Search ListingsRelevancy Factors
  • 17.
    15 Why BroadDistribution Matters 1. Results are Served, and Consumers May Look… Here… Or Here… Or Here Or Here… 2. So You Need To Be Listed… Here… And Here… And Here… And Here!
  • 19.
    All these partnersin our distribution network play a roll in Sports Authority’s strong web page citation numbers
  • 20.
    Citations + WebReferences
  • 21.
    Local Search Listingsare managed and maintained in separate Local Search Site Databases, comprised primarily of data from print Yellow Pages, which can be up to 2 years old. Meaning y our Local Search Listings are possibly being viewed by motivated online consumers right now and, Your current listings may be: INACCURATELY REPRESENTING YOUR BRAND , due to Inaccurate, incomplete and out-of-date information, and/or; OMMITED FROM SEARCH RESULTS COMPLETELY, OR PROVIDING LITTLE CONSUMER BUYING MOTIVATION, due to lack of deep information on your business that’s necessary for your listings to “come up” in results, and providing inadequate buying information when they do. Local Search Listings – How They Work, The Challenge for Your Business
  • 22.
    Getting Control Overyour Local Search Listings Content – What We Do for You 1. CAPTURE Current Listings 3. ORGANIZE and STRUCTURE Updated, Deep Listings 2. CORRECT, UPDATE and DEEPEN Current Listings DISTRIBUTE Updated, Deep Listings, Optimized for Local Search Listings Results To over 85 top search engines, Internet Yellow Pages and specialty directories Manage An Easy, Cost Effective Five Step Process: From U.S. Repository of All Businesses* Dramatically enhances visibility/”find ability using a proprietary, hierarchical taxonomy engine* 5. MANAGE Updated, Deep Listings, in batch or one-off processes
  • 23.
    Some “Best Practices”Tips and Tools Used to Deepen Your Content, Enhance Your Listings Visibility Consider that Consumers Search by “Top of Mind”: Business Name ( Superior Air Company) Category (Business Type, i.e., Heating & Air Conditioning) Brands (Trane, Carrier, Lenox etc..) Products (Furnaces, Air Conditioners, Humidifiers) Services (Furnace Repair, AC Maintenance) Add Rich Content to Local Listing Information: Website Email Address 800 # Fax # Hours Of Operation Brand Affiliation Products Services Payment Methods Content Drives the Ability to be Found in Local Listing Search Results • Avoid Duplication Across Listings  • Provide Address Whenever Possible.      • Provide Alternated Phone Numbers     Accommodate for Both Types of Local Search: Recovery Search: Business Name is Known – looking for more information from that Business to make an Intent to Purchase Discovery Search: Business Name is not Known – product or service is searched and desired business uncovered This is Where We Can Help!
  • 24.
    Results from Updating,Deepening Your Listings Content Example--Match Found Due to Enhanced Content From a “Brand Search”
  • 25.
    Where Your Updated,Enhanced Listings Go— The Distribution Network (Over 80+ partners today = 90% of Local Searches)
  • 26.
    The Take Aways:Local Search is here, and going mainstream Local Listings Sites are a prominent, increasingly popular component of the Local Search landscape Recency, accuracy and depth of content are critical to supporting your business image…and bringing you qualified customers Online consumers are fragmented-- robust, broad content distribution is key to maximize reach We’ve created an easy, affordable one-stop-shop for you to realize the benefits of Local Listings content management and distribution