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 | 
Permalink
Posted by thinklocal
February 11, 2009
Which movie should we see? Where is a good place to meet for lunch? Which merlot is better? Should I read this book? Decisions like these need to be made every day. Now, thanks to Goodrec.com, the decision-making process is easier than ever. Just access the site via the Internet or your mobile phone, and you’ll be able to find recommendations for local restaurants, local bars, books, movies, and wine. Since Goodrec is easily browsed by mobile phones that can access the Internet, you don’t have to worry about having “Why didn’t I research this before I left the house?” moments in the future-all the recommendations you need will be right at your fingertips, even while on-the-go.
The emergence of sites like Goodrec and ThinkLocal® is further proof that local search is changing the way consumers make their money-spending decisions. If you haven’t done so yet, get involved! Local search can help you, both as a consumer and a business owner. Visit ThinkLocal.com to sign up for your free business listing, rate your favorite establishments, and discover events taking place in your area.
Leave a Comment » | 
General, Local Search, Mobile, Social Media | Tagged: Local Search, mobile internet, thinklocal | 
Permalink
Posted by thinklocal
February 11, 2009
An online business listing is a visibility enhancer all on its own. However, it doesn’t hurt to support your online business listing with a business Web site that is optimized for local search traffic.
Optimizing your site for local search is ideal if your business has a physical location. It will increase the chances that your site will get noticed when a relevant search is made online.
Below are some tips for optimizing your site for local search:
- Include both your target keyword phrases and your location (city, region, state, country, ZIP, etc.) in your page titles whenever possible.
- Mention your location on most, if not all, of your Web pages. You can usually do this by including the location in your body copy or in your footer text.
- Have incoming links that use your business name as the anchor text.
- Have links from local business directories, like ThinkLocal™ and Insider Pages™.
- Have links from direction pages.
Leave a Comment » | General, Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business | Tagged: insider pages, local business directories, Local Search, local search traffic, online business listing, thinklocal | Permalink
Posted by thinklocal
February 10, 2009
It is more important than ever for you to be frugal. That’s why now is the time to start realizing the value of using local search.
Local search Web sites offer free business listings, and they enable your business to be visible at just the right moment – when the consumer is making his or her purchase decision. You should always make sure you are listed in several local search Web sites, particularly because each member of your target audience will have his or her preferred source. By having a listing in more than one directory, you will increase your chances of being found.
Good local search engines include: ThinkLocal®, Yelp, Merchant Circle and Insider Pages™.
Leave a Comment » | General, Internet Yellow Pages, Local Search, Small Business | Tagged: business, business listings, free business listings, insider pages, Local Search, local search engine, merchant circle, thinklocal, yelp | Permalink
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
