Local Search is Search that displays local results. Anytime a potential customer uses Google search to find information on local products and services, local results are shown in the results. These results may be displayed as part of the Web search or Map search. The listings within the search results show links to the Place pages. Your business needs to be visible on the first results page, if not, you are missing out on large numbers of potential customers. Local Search is being used by the majority of consumers and the number is growing every day.
Even if a small business has no marketing plan, no advertising and no website; it is still imperative that any and all small businesses be listed locally showing their Place page, fully optimized and configured. This is the fastest and least expensive piece of marketing/advertising for any company wanting local customers.
Local Search provides:
- Contact information
- Web site address
- Maps and direction
- Business description
- Images
- Special offers
- Reviews
The three images below show examples of the local search box for each of the Big3.
Another part of Local Search is the directories shown on the lower Search Engine Results Page in the general search area. These are directories like the Internet Yellow Pages, Yelp, local directories and national niche directories. Not as important as the BIG3 above since it takes more clicks to find your listing, but still important.
If you are a business owner supporting local customers, your business should know exactly where and how often it is placed for Local Search.
Related article on extending Local Search.