June 4, 2009
There are a lot of local business listings out there—ThinkLocal®, Yahoo!® Local, and YellowPages.com™ are just a few. Thanks to these online business directories, it’s easy for your clients to find information on your business, which is great. But sometimes the information that is gathered by local directories is incorrect or outdated, which in no way benefits your business. Fixing this situation is easy, however, by simply taking control of your listings.
Take the time to look up your business on some of the top local search engines (click here for the top 5). By taking ownership of your listings, you can take control of what searchers find. In addition to changing or updating existing information, you can also add a link to your website, a description of services offered, your business hours, an email address at where you can be reached, and much more. We suggest taking ownership of your listings at the top 5 directories first, then expanding to the rest when you find time.
1 Comment | 
Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Uncategorized | Tagged: business directories, business directory, business listing, business listings, online business directories, online business directory, online business listings | 
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Posted by thinklocal
April 14, 2009
It’s no secret that modern technology has changed—and keeps changing—the business world. Paper filing systems have been replaced with electronic folders, and waiting for a check to come in the mail has been replaced by online bank transactions that take seconds to complete. The business practices of yesterday are radically different from those of today, and the effects can be seen just about everywhere. Small business can get more done in a shorter amount of time, and they can keep in touch with their customers and clients through more means of communication. Networking is easier for small businesses thanks to the Internet, and cost-effective solutions like webcasts and email newsletters ensure that business owners can communicate with their staff without a financial sacrifice.
According to the Small Business Success Index, an ongoing study conducted by Network Solutions, LLC, and the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, “Small business owners rely on a range of Internet business solutions and computer technologies to succeed, including online customer service via e-mail, a company Web site, online advertising in directories, a shared computer network for employees, and internal communications by e-mail. Between 30-60% of businesses use the items above.” Here at ThinkLocal®, we want to know how your small business utilizes modern technology. Do you use computer and Internet technology to communicate with your customers? If so, which do you use, and how have they helped your business? Do you take advantage of webcasts or internal email to communicate with your employees, or do you prefer the traditional method of phone calls, meetings, and so forth?
*The Small Business Success Index, an ongoing measurement of the overall health of U.S. small businesses, was commissioned by Network Solutions, LLC and the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. To take the survey yourself, click here.
1 Comment | 
General, Local Search, Small Business, Social Media, marketing | Tagged: online business directory, Small Business, small business success index, technology, web presence | 
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Posted by thinklocal
April 10, 2009
One of the most thrilling milestones a business owner can meet is reaching the point where expansion is an absolute necessity. After all, a growing business is a successful business-and what screams “success” louder than an increase in customers? For many small businesses, expanding means hiring more employees to fulfill their customers’ demands. And for some, expanding means moving to a larger office or opening up a second location.
According to the Small Business Success Index, an ongoing study conducted by Network Solutions, LLC, and the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, “Businesses with multiple locations are more slightly likely to be competitive.” This finding supports some of the general rules of the small business world. It makes sense that a business with multiple locations is competitive; for one, businesses need to be competitive to succeed, and growth is one way to measure a business’s success. Businesses that know how to compete are going to have an easier time at finding success.
One of the best ways to get the word out about additional business locations is through advertising. Be sure that all advertisements list the information for each location if possible, and include each location in online business listing directories. At ThinkLocal®, it’s easy to set up and manage online listings for each of your business’s locations. Just head over to http://wwww.ThinkLocal.com and provide information for all of your business’s locations.
*The Small Business Success Index, an ongoing measurement of the overall health of U.S. small businesses, was commissioned by Network Solutions, LLC and the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. To take the survey yourself, click here.
Leave a Comment » | General, Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business, Uncategorized | Tagged: advertising, advertising online, business, business listings, online business directory, Small Business, thinklocal | Permalink
Posted by thinklocal
March 20, 2009
Doesn’t it seem like everyone has a mobile phone these days? And doesn’t it seem like every week we hear about new, more capable, more advanced phones? Mobile phones have changed the way we conduct our day-to-day lives. No longer are they simply the way we make calls away from home; today’s mobile phones even allow us to conduct business through our phones.
Over at SearchEngineWatch.com, Michael Boland recently posted an article on the future of mobile phones and local search. “Getting Closer to Mobile Local Search’s Day“ describes how today’s Internet-capable mobile phones are changing local search. The amount of Americans accessing local search through their phones is constantly increasing, proving that the appeal of on-the-go convenience is really starting to spread.
To take advantage of the increasing popularity of mobile local search, be sure to set up an online business listing for your business. Many local search engines, like ThinkLocal®, have mobile-specific pages that make accessing them with a phone even easier.
2 Comments | 
Local Search, Mobile, Uncategorized | Tagged: local search engine, Mobile, mobile internet, online business directory, thinklocal | 
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Posted by thinklocal
February 4, 2009
We live in a world that values convenience. Over at ThinkLocal®, we understand this. Once you enter your zip code or city and state, our home page will show you all of the information you need to see what’s going on in your area. Check out your local weather forecast, and use the interactive map to find your way around town. If you’re looking for something to do, ThinkLocal® can provide you with a list of local events in your area. And with our restaurant ratings and reviews, choosing a place to dine has never been easier.
If you’re interested in being on top of the goings-on in your area, make ThinkLocal® your home page. All the information you need is just one click away.
Leave a Comment » | Local Search | Tagged: business listings, Local Search, online business directory, thinklocal | Permalink
Posted by thinklocal
December 17, 2008
The recession has struck, and your sales are suffering. Although you may want to keep everything the same, you have to make some changes. One change you should consider is altering your pricing.
Many retailers across the country have lowered their prices in order to motivate consumers to buy. Keep in mind that lowering prices may lower your bottom line, as well; however, it may also help you make sales that otherwise would not happen. When deciding your discount rates, consider using percentages versus fixed dollar amounts. This will help you make adequate earnings on low-priced products, as well as high-ticket items.
Popular discount rates include 25%, 30%, 40% and 50% off. Clearance items can often reach up to 75% off. Some retailers even offer savings on top of existing savings, such as an additional 15-20% off all items, including sales items, or free shipping on large orders. Whichever rates you choose, you should identify an expiration date. Deadlines will force consumers to take immediate actions.
Once you have your plan in place, advertise your savings. You can use the same promotional methods you normally use, but make sure you adjust your ad message to reflect all the wonderful deals you are offering. Also, remember that you can update your free ThinkLocal® online business listing so that it highlights your limited-time offer. Once the sale is over, you can go back in and re-edit your listing.
There’s no denying it. Consumers will buy if the price is right. For that reason, you should consider making some changes to your price list if you’ve notice that your sales numbers haven’t been doing as well as expected.
Leave a Comment » | General, Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business | Tagged: bottom line, discount, discount rates, limited-time offer, online business directory, pricing, sale, sales, sales numbers | Permalink
Posted by thinklocal
June 3, 2008
Local search submission is pretty simple. Once you find an online business directory that receives a promising stream of traffic, search for your listing. Some of these sites purchase business listings from data management companies who may have your business information. If you find your listing, create an account on the site so that you can take ownership of the listing. Once you have ownership, you will be able to edit the listing and add new information.
You may not find your listing. This simply means that you must create your own. Register for an account, just as you would when taking ownership of a listing. Then choose the option to create a new listing. You be asked to provide such information as your business name, location, phone number, description and so on. In addition, some online business directories give you the power to choose a category and subcategory for your listing and/or add store descriptions and links to your business Web site. The more information you provide, the more likely you will be able to sway an undecided consumer.
Local search Web sites like ThinkLocal® and Google Maps typically do not charge for standard business listings although some sites offer enhanced listings for a fee. Enhanced listings prices usually vary depending on market size. Therefore, a business listing targeting New York City, the largest city in the U.S., will cost more than a listing targeting a small town like Vega, Texas, which the 2000 census reports has fewer than 1000 residents.
Enhanced listings usually come with a few extra perks. Every time an enhanced listing matches a search criterion, it will regain a visible placement on every relevant results page. So, if the results end up spanning over 4 pages, the enhanced listing will appear on all four pages. Some enhanced listings packages also include tracking tools to help businesses keep up with the performance of their listings.
1 Comment | Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business | Tagged: business directories, business listing, business listings, enhanced listing, google maps, Local Search, maps, online business directory, thinklocal | Permalink
Posted by thinklocal
May 23, 2008
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.
Leave a Comment » | General, Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business | Tagged: business directory, business listings, driving directions, google maps, Local Search, local search engine, maps, online business directory, thinklocal | Permalink
Posted by thinklocal
March 19, 2008
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.
Leave a Comment » | General, Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business | Tagged: business directory, business listings, driving directions, google maps, Local Search, local search engine, maps, online business directory, thinklocal | Permalink
Posted by thinklocal
