business. Moreover, recent Internet studies have found that some of the most searched queries in search engines such as Google or Yahoo are words such as ‘local business,’ ‘free,’ ‘discount,’ ‘cheap,’ and other terms bearing the connotation that the searcher is looking for For decades, local mom and pop businesses could rely on word of mouth and traditional print services to garner customers. If the local businesses had a good or service that they wanted to promote, they could just call up the local newspaper and ask for an advertisement. However, as media has evolved towards more sophisticated routes such as the Internet, it has become increasingly more difficult (and oftentimes prohibitively expensive) for local businesses to stand-out against the crowd by advertising in both newer and older types of media. Yet, local businesses continually find themselves facing a problem. As potential customers become more Internet savvy, local companies could be doing themselves a great disservice by not having some sort of exposure on the Internet.

According to Kelsey Research, 70% of US households now use the internet when searching for local products and services. In fact, it is projected that over 20 billion searches for local information will be made in 2007. 75% of Internet users have looked for services and products within an area close to their home or business. Moreover, recent Internet studies have found that some of the most searched queries in search engines such as Google or Yahoo are words such as ‘local business,’ ‘free,’ ‘discount,’ ‘cheap,’ and other terms bearing the connotation that the searcher is looking for s

ver, as media has evolved towards more sophisticated routes such as the Internet, it has become increasingly more difficult (and oftentimes prohibitively expensive) for local businesses to stand-out against the crowd by advertising in both newer and older types of media. Yet, local businesses continually find themselves facing a problem. As potential customers become more Internet savvy, local companies could be doing themselves a great disservice by not having some sort of exposure on the Internet.

According to Kelsey Research, 70% of US households now use the internet when searching for local products and services. In fact, it is projected that over 20 billion searches for local information will be made in 2007. 75% of Internet users have looked for services and products within an area close to their home or business. Moreover, recent Internet studies have found that some of the most searched queries in search engines such as Google or Yahoo are words such as ‘local business,’ ‘free,’ ‘discount,’ ‘cheap,’ and other terms bearing the connotation that the searcher is looking for

local businesses continually find themselves facing a problem. As potential customers become more Internet savvy, local companies could be doing themselves a great disservice by not having some sort of exposure on the Internet.

According to Kelsey Research, 70% of US households now use the internet when searching for local products and services. In fact, it is projected that over 20 billion searches for local information will be made in 2007. 75% of Internet users have looked for services and products within an area close to their home or business. Moreover, recent Internet studies have found that some of the most searched queries in search engines such as Google or Yahoo are words such as ‘local business,’ ‘free,’ ‘discount,’ ‘cheap,’ and other terms bearing the connotation that the searcher is looking for

households now use the internet when searching for local products and services. In fact, it is projected that over 20 billion searches for local information will be made in 2007. 75% of Internet users have looked for services and products within an area close to their home or business. Moreover, recent Internet studies have found that some of the most searched queries in search engines such as Google or Yahoo are words such as ‘local business,’ ‘free,’ ‘discount,’ ‘cheap,’ and other terms bearing the connotation that the searcher is looking for business. Moreover, recent Internet studies have found that some of the most searched queries in search engines such as Google or Yahoo are words such as ‘local business,’ ‘free,’ ‘discount,’ ‘cheap,’ and other terms bearing the connotation that the searcher is looking for something to purchase.

Although many may be trying to look for cheap electronics that can be shipped to their homes, it is also extremely apparent that consumers are searching to for businesses in their local area that they can patronize. Most consumption on a day to day basis is not on items such as electronics that can be purchased online. People need automotive services, tutors, daycare, lawn care, restaurants, grocery stores, salons, plumbers, and much, much more within a few miles of their house. These daily rituals that we all engage in are all predicated on knowing where to find business. And as mentioned above, with an abundance of people turning to the Internet to find out where well priced, convenient goods and services are located, even a small Internet presence can skyrocket a business.

Unfortunately, the typical local business doesn’t have a lot of money to spend on Internet exposure. Even if they do have the finances to build a website, the process can be cumbersome and somewhat daunting for the generations of small business that aren’t well-read in the ways of