ThinkLocal Blog – Local search, business, and trends

Truth: Local search helps your business reach its prime target.

Books, encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers, dictionaries – just about every type of print media has made its way online in order to reach the massive audience of Internet users. Online business directories, like the Yellow Pages®, followed suit, leading to the emergence of local search.

Local search, for those who are new to the game, is a way for businesses to reach a geographically segmented group of consumers who have shown interest in their offerings. Local search users can search online using a variety of search options to promptly retrieve a list of relevant business listings, each offering up-to-date phone numbers and addresses, as well as a wide range of helpful tools, such as maps, driving directions and business reviews.

Local search listings are often less costly than traditional directory listings, despite the added benefits. In fact, most local search sites offer free standard listings. Most of the time, only special listings that offer preferred placement or additional tools require a fee. These fees are normally considerably low in comparison to other equally effective forms of advertising.

Local search is a great way to gain exposure among key prospects. With local search, businesses do not risk diluting the impact of their marketing efforts. Only their target consumers will view their listings. Also, local search is a non-invasive marketing channel. Users come to these online business directories to find the information they need; therefore, they are very receptive. For that reason, all business owners are encouraged to add detailed descriptions of their businesses and add links to their Web sites. As an additional bonus, linking a business Web site to unbiased resources like online business directories is viewed fondly by search engine spiders, which means businesses can boost their rank in addition to boosting their visibility.

Myth: Local search is the only marketing strategy you need to invest in to succeed.

Local search, although quite beneficial, is not a standalone solution to all your marketing needs. Rather, it should be added to your marketing mix as a method for strengthening your reach.

Traditional advertising methods like print advertising, radio advertisements or television commercials remain important and may, in fact, play a larger role in attracting a local audience. However, an online business listing on a highly trafficked local search Web site is an incredible way to supplement your existing marketing and advertising efforts without adding a large expense to your budget.

Introducing a New ThinkLocal®

ThinkLocal has always been more than an online business directory. It is a local search engine hosting over 17 million U.S. business listings, a reliable resource offering valuable local information and a channel through which businesses can connect with local consumers who are in search of their products and services.

The latest version of ThinkLocal® includes drastic aesthetic enhancements, as well as improvements to the Web site’s usability. Users are now able to filter their search results by business category. Additionally, they can re-arrange their results according to their personal preferences. Sorting options include best match, distance, business name, highest rated or most reviewed.

Prior updates to ThinkLocal broadened the local search engine’s range of service. The Web site began displaying content feeds from third-party Web sites, including local event broadcasts powered by Eventful.com, regional weather forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and maps and driving directions from Google Maps. It also added business reviews provided by registered users and spotlight articles written by on-staff writers.

The new ThinkLocal was launched on May 22, 2008. Go to www.ThinkLocal.com now to check it out today.
About ThinkLocal®

ThinkLocal® is a local search Web site created in April 2006. It was written in ASP.Net and applies some Javascript and Ajax components. Early versions of ThinkLocal were primarily search focused, displaying only a search box on the homepage. With limited features, it was merely an online version of the yellow pages.

Many business listings published on the original ThinkLocal were provided by Acxiom, a leading data management company. In the effort to expand its database, ThinkLocal began accepting businesses not associated with Acxiom into its directory. It also utilized its ties with Network Solutions to leverage positioning in many of the corporation’s products, thus driving additional membership from small business clients.