-- Too many local business owners do all they can to ensure their local shop, restaurant, or service business has a great reputation among the locals—but forget about the bigger game, according to one expert.
“Local shop owners put a lot of time and energy into making sure their local reputation is intact in their community,” says a spokesman from FindUsLocal.com, an online local business directory that offers a no cost way for local shops to get the word out about their business. “But what they forget is that most consumers look online when trying to find local shops and restaurants.”
He’s talking about a recent study that shows almost 100 percent of consumers look online when they want to visit a local establishment. “Gone are the days,” he says, “when local business owners could rely on word of mouth, Yellow Pages advertisements, or coupons in the local newspaper. These days, shoppers go to local business listings to get information about a business before deciding to visit them.”
He’s right. Even more studies show that once a consumer finds a local business on an online local business directory, they are more likely to make a purchase that day. “My mission is to get the word out about this shift in consumer behavior,” he says. “Because if local store owners don’t understand it, they won’t do the things necessary to attract today’s shoppers. And that will harm their bottom line.”
He says the easiest way to ensure people find a local business is to search for the local business directories that list the shop. Then, claim the listing as the owner of the shop and update the details. “You want to make sure shoppers get the right information when they find your business online,” he says, “and the best way to do that is to update it yourself to ensure it contains all the right facts and information.
FindUsLocal.com is a local business directory that uses GEO location technology to make each visitor’s experience unique. It strives to be the best free business directory available by consistently advertising, improving the site, and working with small business owners to provide free advertising.
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