Local Search Takes On A Whole New Importance

Writing by Nick Stamoulis Tweet

If you have a brick and mortar business and you haven’t optimized for local search yet then perhaps it is time you did completed the on site search engine optimization. Local search is about to take on a whole new dimension and I can only see it growing – that new dimension? Smartphones and Google Earth.

The Google Lat Long Blog yesterday reported on a new feature to the Google Earth for iPhone application that they call their “Business layer”. What will it mean to business? If you have a web presence and have taken the opportunity to claim your business through Local Search – plenty.

The application will enable users to find businesses like restaurants, bars, banks, gas stations, and grocery stores amongst others. With a single click they can get additional information such as reviews, telephone numbers and more and it all depends on how well you have addressed your entry in local search.

Of course, let’s not get to flustered about the technology, after all it is only designed for the iPhone at present. However, as with all technology it won’t be long before it spreads to all smartphones. Mobile internet is one of the fastest growing sectors with mobile advertising growing at over 30% per year.

Local search is important to any business that has a bricks and mortar presence. If your business exists in one of the spur-of-the-moment type industries like restaurants, theaters or general entertainment then grabbing a piece of that mobile market is a must. If you don’t – your competitors will!