September 23, 2008
In response to recent market trends, you’ve created a business Web site and employed several online marketing strategies, like pay-per-click advertising, search engine optimization, search engine submission
and optimized press releases. As a result, you’ve become a stronger business and a more aggressive competitor. So is it time to abandon your newspaper ads and yellow page listings? Not necessarily.
Newspapers and yellow pages are both effective advertising channels, each offering their own unique benefits. Yellow pages allow you to communicate with consumers who are specifically seeking your product(s) or service(s). Newspapers allow you to communicate with educated consumers who tend to earn higher incomes. Both advertising channels enable you to geographically target your advertising efforts.
Furthermore, many newspaper and yellow page companies have recognized the ubiquity of the Web. Therefore, they have created online versions of their offerings. Thus, they are able to serve the millions of Americans who still do not regularly use the Internet, as well as the millions who have embraced it.
3 Comments | 
Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business | Tagged: advertising channel, newspaper ads, newspapers, yellow page companies, yellow page listings, yellow pages | 
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Posted by thinklocal
September 22, 2008
Check out www.MySolutionSpot.com! MySolutionSpot™ now includes a new Industries section, which features a number of specialized articles, solutions and tools. Therefore, dentists, business consultants and restaurateurs, alike, can find the information they need to improve their businesses.
The site has also expanded its tools section. Previously, its Tools section provided a wide selection of industry-specific tools (e.g., a construction cost estimator, a retail assessment tool, a volunteer recruitment tool, etc.). Now, it also includes a General Business category, which is comprised of tools than can be used across a variety of industries.
1 Comment | 
General, Small Business | Tagged: business, business consultants, businesses, construction, dentists, general business, industries, restaurateurs, retail, tools, volunteer recruitment tool | 
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Posted by thinklocal
September 15, 2008
Small startup businesses are sometimes at a disadvantage when it comes to choosing their advertising mix. They often lack the background knowledge that typically comes from experience and/or market research. Without access to such information, many of them mistakenly invest in costly advertising strategies that produce little or no benefit to their business.
Luckily for these businesses, the advertising world is changing dramatically. Studies have indicated that proximity plays a large role in patronage. This means that a business’s prime prospects – those who are most likely to purchase their products or services – typically reside within a short drive of its facility. As a result, some businesses can reduce or resign their high-priced mass media campaigns and place more emphasis on less expensive advertising methods that target the smaller, more segmented local audience.
Local Marketing Strategies
Many businesses continue to rely on traditional marketing strategies to reach their local market. They distribute catalogs and purchase radio, newspaper and Yellow Page® advertisements. While traditional strategies are effective, they are more powerful when supported by newer strategies like pay-per-click advertising, local search marketing and online classifieds. By employing online marketing strategies, businesses can enhance their visibility and deliver their messages directly to consumers who are searching for their products or services.
There are numerous online business resources available that will help owners of small startup businesses decide whether they need to embrace or avoid costly mass media campaigns. These resources will also help them stay abreast of new online marketing strategies. With the information they acquire, startup owners will be able to create the appropriate advertising mix for their business.
2 Comments | 
General, Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business | Tagged: advertising, advertising mix, businesses, Local Search, marketing strategies, mass media campaigns, online classifieds, online marketing, pay-per-click, startup, yellow page advertisements | 
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Posted by thinklocal
September 3, 2008
Today, many consumers research their options on the Internet. They search online for business names, business addresses, driving directions to businesses and business phone numbers. They also read business reviews and browse various business websites to learn more about the history, staff and offerings of a particular business.
Business websites have become influential in that they have the power to sway undecided consumers. While the Web site content is quite persuasive, the mere existence of a site can demonstrate the quality of a business and their ability to meet expectations.
Because business websites are so convincing, all businesses should include links to their websites in their online business listings. This inclusion will help their listing stand out and persuade consumers to choose them over their competitors.
1 Comment | Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business | Tagged: business websites, online business listings, websites | Permalink
Posted by thinklocal
