Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Cost Effective Local Internet Marketing Methods

Internet technology has been pushed to the cell phone and brought GPS location services along. The combination of these technologies has opened the playing field for businesses to better target their advertising by using local internet marketing methods. Using search engine optimization, geo-targeting, and social media along with paid advertising and online directory services gives the local business an advantage over the larger national chains.


Using SEO or search engine optimization allows a business to build their website by using targeted keywords that are common searches in the major search engines. If a potential customer is looking for pizza delivery, restaurants that provide this service can be found more easily if they use the keywords in their web pages.

Geo-targeting combined with Google map services allows the website to use software that locates the customer by IP address. This address gives the system information on their location at least to the city level. Using this information a business is able to target their adverting to people that are close to the actual business and more likely to seek them out.

Social marketing is growing in popularity because the virtual word of mouth advertising that happens can help a business grow through their fans' social networks. Using systems such as Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare and others, the business is able to reach out to people that will recommend the services to their own friends.

Paid advertising on the web is often delivered through pay-per-click systems. The value is that the business is not charged for the ads unless they are clicked on. The click is the same as a visit to the businesses website. Because the advertising systems often use the geo-targeting systems it is easy to narrow the adverting to users that are close to the business, which provides a more cost effective use for advertising dollars.

Directory services have become the virtual equivalent of the old phone book that used to be delivered to the porch of every house. Search engines often use this directory information when a user is searching for something like a barber shop. The first results, often list the barber shops within a few miles. It is important for a business to make sure their directory listing is up to date to avoid losing a customer due to a bad phone number or incorrect address.

Putting the various methods together as a larger advertising program allows the business to get their information in front of customers. Because the location based systems exist, it is even more important to use the channels to reach out to potential customers who are in the neighborhood. By reaching customers who are nearby, the business is able to target those who are more likely to buy.

Mobile and Internet technology continues to grow together, opening even more venues for customers to search for the pizza or barber they want. In order for a business to be successful they must embrace and utilize the new technology and push the advertising beyond the traditional print media and enter the virtual world of advertising.

For more information about Local Internet Marketing Methods, visit our Services page or request a complimentary internet presence evaluation.

No comments:

Post a Comment