Users turn to search engines for local info

A recent study in the US showed that search engines are the most popular destination for Americans looking for local information. Of the people surveyed, 31% try search engines followed by “print Yellow Pages (30%), internet Yellow Pages (19%) and local search sites (11%)”. The UK market tends to follow suit for this kind of behaviour, which is good news for local sites on the other side of the pond. Our own start up, My Neighbourhoods, has recently launched a local business search and there are a wealth of other UK-based entrepreneurs with similar services.

Providing these services are optimised for good search engine placement, even in a crowded market, the potential to capitalise on local search should continue to grow. In addition, the rise in mobile search – according to the survey 1 in 5 users with internet-enabled mobiles have searched for local services – will bolster this potential.

Another positive indication of the local online market is hinted at in a survey by “Ad-ology Small Business Marketing Outlook”. They claim that 86% of small businesses intend to spend the same or more on advertising this year (60% spending the same versus 26% increasing budgets) with online advertising mentioned specifically. Despite the obvious concerns about the global economy there are strong indications that some areas will flourish and there are opportunities out there, particularly as the credit crunch drives people online and businesses attempt to make the most of their budgets through online channels.

Author: Danny Bull, founder of My Neighbourhoods