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Copyright 2006 Off the Page

The Internet can promote your services in unlimited relevant areas that buyers are looking for

Even when they both have a website, a service business (like window blinds) has to use the Internet differently than an online business does. For example, a chiropractor needs to provide different information a trucking firm, to supply what customers search for. While they both can benefit from Local Search exposure, what information they need to provide about themselves varies greatly.

Break down the limitations imposed by category thinking

We've been trained by the Yellow Page directory to look for a business within its primary category section. But Local Search allows a person to find what they want under many more descriptive terms. They can search for a sub-category, rather than a generic listing like "contractor". They're able to find a narrowly-defined specific service or product - if a business has said that they offer it.

To be listed in the Directory, a business pays for each category where it appears. But a website has no such limitations. It can show numerous specific offerings - like Dog Training, Dog Nutrition, Dog Books, Dog Toys, etc. And it can promote each area to different buyers.

So your business benefits from showing up in Local Search results as many ways as possible. Go out of your way identify such specific, narrow topics. You might find yourself without any competition in such search results.

Studies show that people who search with specific terms are more motivated, and likely to buy "Minolta camera" instead of "camera". They're ready to take the next step.

Categories that draw the most attention

Not all businesses rely to the same extent on their Yellow Page listing to attract customers. And I'm sure that will turn out to be true with Local Search as well. The following list shows which directory categories draw the most visitors. But if your business isn't listed among the top, you've got even more reason to begin marketing yourself online.

Internet exposure can provide a powerful marketing boost for almost any type of local business. Whether you have a website or not, you need to assure that accurate information about your business gets picked up by every major search engine, and Internet Yellow Pages. I've found the most reliable way to do that is through Register Local, http://www.localsearchresources.com/register_local.html For a small annual fee they keep your business information updated and accurate on every online database that matters. And you don't need a website, if you don't have one.

Top Yellow Page Headings (in this order)

1. Restaurants 2. Physicians & Surgeons 3. Automobile Parts - new & used 4. Automobile Repairing & Services 5. Pizza 6. Automobile dealers - new & used 7. Attorneys/Lawyers 8. Beauty Salons 9. Hospitals 10. Dentists 11. Insurance 12. Department Stores 13. Plumbing Contractors 14. Banks 15. Veterinarians 16. Theaters 17.

Florists - retail 18. Airline Companies 19. Hotels 20. Hardware - retail 21. Lumber - retail 22. Tire Dealers 23. Real Estate 24. Automobile Renting & Leasing 25. Pharmacies or Drugstores 26. Churches 27. Furniture - retail & non-specific 28. Grocers - retail 29. Rental Service - Stores & Yards 30.Carpet & Rug Cleaners 31. Appliances - HH - Major Dealers 32. Glass - auto, plate, window 33. Electric Contractors 34. Schools - academic, secondary, elementary 35. Contractors - General 36. Government Offices - US 37. Travel Agencies 38. Taxicabs 39. Sporting Goods - retail 40. Roofing Contractors 41. Dry Cleaners 42. Book Dealers - retail 43. Optometrists O.D. 44. Heating Contractors 45. Pet Grooming 46. Computers - dealer 47. Motels 48. Automobile Wrecking 49. Building Materials 50. Government Offices - city, village, township 51. Appliances - HH - Major - Service & Repair 52. Golf Courses - Public 53. Landscape Contractors 54. Home Improvements 55. Pet Shops 56. Pest Control Service/Exterminators 57. Automobile Body Repairing & Painting 58. Government Offices - state 59. Photographers - portrait 60. Electronic Equipment & Supplies - Dealers 61. Movers 62. Carpet & Rug - dealer 63. Motorcycles & Motor Scooters - Dealers. 64. Office Supplies 65. Videotapes & Discs - Renting & Leasing 66. Printers 67. Chiropractors, DC 68. Lawn Maintenance 69. Child Day Care Centers 70. Service Stations - gasoline & oil 71. Television - cable, CATV & Satellite 72. Locks & Locksmiths 73. Apartments 74. Air Conditioning Contractors & Systems 75. Nursing Homes 76. Transmissions - automobile 77. Air Conditioning Equipment & Systems - repair 78. Television & Radio - service & repair 79. Fence 80. Paint - Retail 81. Nurseries - plants, trees, etc. 82. Schools - academic, colleges & universities 83. Clinics 84. Plumbing Fixtures & Supplies - new, retail 85. Employment Agencies 86. Bicycles - dealer 87. Government Offices - county 88. Jewelers - retail 89. Painting Contractors 90. Towing - automobile 91. Windows 92. Newspapers 93. Bus Lines 94. Truck Renting & Leasing 95. Shoes - retail 96. Mufflers & Exhaust Systems - engine 97. Tree Service 98. Bakers - retail 99. Computers - Service & Repair 100. Mortgages Source: Yellow Pages Integrated Media Association (YPIMA)

Expand your visibility, and credibility with upwardly mobile buyers

Your business is faced with two urgent tasks, if you want to come to the attention of Internet searchers. 1.) Get listed with the resources they go to, so you'll be found among the results they get. 2.) Make sure your business information is consistent and accurate across the board. That's where Register Local can save you a boatload of time and headaches. Don't put this off because the Internet can bring you a steady flow of local buyers.

About the author:

Dr. Lynella Grant Expert in communicating through Yellow Page ads and Local Search. Stand out online and offline. Capture more Internet-savvy buyers for your brick and mortar business. Free resources http://www.localsearchresources.com 719-359-5575

Written by: Lynella Grant

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