Hyperlocal is in. According to media research consultancy BIA/Kelsey, approximately 17-percent of Internet searches are local in nature with ready-to-buy consumers searching for businesses that offer a product or service that they are looking for locally – and this number is expected to grow to 20 percent by 2015.
This is one of the reasons why Irvine, California-based online local media company Local.com has launched its suite of integrated Exact Match local business solutions, targeted at small and medium-sized businesses.
Exact Match is designed to help local businesses go beyond the traditional business profile listings online, and expand their online presence to reach ready-to-buy consumers who are searching online for local businesses, products or services. Solutions include:
· Exact Match Local: Helps local businesses connect with consumers organically with an optimized keyword and geo-targeted website in addition to content creation for their local markets. Guarantees prominent, first-page ranking on one of the major search engines, including Google, Yahoo! or Bing.
· Exact Match Mobile: Provides local businesses with a mobile version of their Exact Match Local website featuring driving directions, one-click contact information, social sharing features, QR code capabilities and more.
· Exact Match Social: Creates a presence on Facebook and Twitter that is linked to their Exact Match Local and Mobile websites, enabling local businesses to reach new customers using social media.
· Exact Match Display: Increases brand awareness via display advertising on Local.com’s flagship property, which reaches approximately 17 million consumers each month searching for local products and services. Local businesses receive premium, above-the-fold, category and geo-targeted placement that helps them to reach ready-to-buy consumers.
“Industry estimates put businesses in America spending approximately US$136 billion annually on local or regionally targeted advertising. Exact Match gives local businesses the ability to boost their online presence, build their brand locally and drive new customers to their stores by utilizing the power of our suite of local online advertising products,” said Mark Wallin, Local.com‘s vice president of product development.
“We continue to use our experience in the local market to develop valuable ad products for local businesses in order to help them reach ready-to-buy consumers when they are making spending decisions within a targeted category and geographic area,” adds Wallin.
