We get asked all the time –
What good is the Internet to me, if I have a local business that sells traditional goods or services?

For many people, the Internet is becoming the number one preferred method of research.
The Internet has become the key to fast knowledge, both on a local level and global level.
The big huge Yellow Pages are fast becoming dinosaurs.

In 2004, BizRate.com did a study which revealed that more than 20% of the respondents said
they had conducted local searches. Nielson / Net Ratings found that 24% of searchers on major
search engines conducted searches that were local in scope. That number is estimated at 38%
currently! Over 55 million adults went online last year looking for local content. Consumers are
getting online in record numbers, resulting in a critical mass of local users in top markets, and
spreading across communities of all sizes. Chances are a number of your local prospects and
customers are part of this desirable demographic - and that number will only increase.

This is especially true of consumers moving into a new city. Studies have shown that a newly relocated person will often search online for "BEST FLORIST CHICAGO", "BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT LOS ANGELES", "BEST DRYCLEANERS DENVER". Or even just "CHIROPRACTOR DETROIT". It's easier to look online and see who's there, than sift through the yellow pages.  Their is a great opportunity to position YOUR business in YOUR city!

                                            

Maybe you think nobody in your industry is using the Internet. But I guarantee, whatever your
business, one of your competitors is successfully using the Internet to promote their business...
perhaps not locally yet, but it's just a matter of time. If your competition is there, you should be too.

Think of the growth potential for travel agents, chiropractors, mortgage brokers, plumbers, dentists, lawyers, carpet cleaning services, auto dealers, even restaurants! You no longer need a $30,000 full
page in the Yellow Pages OR even a deluxe expensive website! There are lots of tools, many of them
free, to get your name out there. With the advent of things like iBegin, Google Maps, and Shop Local,
it's easier than ever to promote your local business.

If small business is to survive, business owners must learn to harness the power of the Internet
and  Web 2.0 strategies...or risk losing their remaining market share to competitors that "get"
technology. For those who choose to ignore the "elephant in the living room", hoping the Internet
will go away, it's only going to get worse in the days ahead.

   Derrick Sorles
  Helping You Build Better Business Faster in a Web 2.0 World
  Strategic Business Coach and Consultant, Web 2.0 Strategist and Social Media    Evangelist, Blogger, Entrepreneur, and Speaker.